THE GBQ PODCAST
‘There is a real dogfight for staff because it is so seasonal’
On the latest episode of The GBQ Podcast, David Scott, Dumbarnie Links General Manager and soon to be PGA Captain, revealed some of the staffing concerns for golf in St Andrews
GOLF remains buoyant in St Andrews but getting staff is a “real dogfight”.
Speaking on The GBQ Podcast, David Scott, General Manager of Dumbarnie Links and the PGA Captain in 2025, told Sarah Stirk that the area continues to be “in a bit of a bubble” following the relaxation of travel restrictions during the Covid pandemic.
But while Fife continues to be a magnet for international and particularly American visitors, Scott revealed that hospitality and greenkeeping staff continue to be areas of concern.
Asked what the challenges were for courses like Dumbarnie in the high-end golf tourism market, he said: “Right now we're in a bit of a bubble, fortunately. As you know, St Andrews is the mecca of golf and, with the dollar being $1.28 to $1.30, flying to Scotland and the UK and Ireland isn’t actually too expensive right now.
“It’s a good opportunity, especially just after Covid. Everyone is saving up their money and desperate to get along. With The Open Championship being in St Andrews in 2022, there’s the usual bump-on effect. The following year, you’re going to have a lot of people.
So with the Open being in Royal Troon this year, next year that area will probably find a lot of interest. People are going online during the Open and saying, ‘where can I stay around Royal Troon?’ Same here as well.
“For some courses locally, the challenge is actually having to find enough time to get their guests out because there’s such a demand. It’s huge.”
But Scott then outlined some of the staffing concerns facing Dumbarnie Links and other golf businesses in and around the Auld Grey Toun.
“Getting chefs is very difficult because a lot left the trade when Covid came along,” he said. “Some left altogether and ended up driving Amazon vans, or whatever, getting the same money and getting back at 6pm instead of working at 9 or 10 – and they’d see a bit of the world as well instead of the kitchen area.
“I think it’s only the lovers of food, that really love their trade, that are staying in there. That’s very challenging and another big challenge is greenkeeping as well.
“It’s very, very, difficult to attract greenkeepers because it’s a tough job, but if people like being outside it’s fantastic.
“But you’re up at 5am, you’re probably starting at 6, but you finish at 2pm so you can go and play golf, or you can do something else.
“It’s very, very, difficult to attract greenkeepers because it’s a tough job, but if people like being outside it’s fantastic.”
“And if you’ve got family, then you can see them immediately when they get home from school. So there are a lot of benefits from it. But it’s hard work.
“Staffing is the biggest concern and in the St Andrews area certainly. We’re fortunate that we get quite a few of our staff from further south – the Level, Kirkcaldy and Lundin Links areas.
“But in St Andrews, there is a real dogfight for staff because it’s so seasonal. You’ve got all the restaurants in town, there may be 20 or so, and they’re needing staff in the summer.
“In the winter it quietens down because you don’t have the overseas market – especially the American market – coming in. So staffing is probably the biggest challenge.”
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