In the latest of our golf industry “day in the life of” articles we bring you Kirsten Thorpe. Kirsten is the Tournament Coordinator at the prestigious Fairmont St. Andrews.
Kirsten rises through the ranks with a drive for women’s golf
Thorpe first picked up a club at nine years old. Her natural talent took her to the England Golf East Midlands squad. She went on to represent her country at both junior and ladies’ first-team level, shining in several national events.
After gaining a bachelor’s degree in Applied Golf Management from the University of Birmingham, Kirsten joined the Fairmont St Andrews in December 2022 as a Golf Operations Assistant. There, she helped deliver daily golf operations, ensuring seamless experiences for visitors enjoying the world-class Torrance and Kittocks courses. Her skills have recently seen her promoted to Tournament Coordinator.
Kirsten believes golf is a powerful tool for personal growth. The sport has built her confidence, resilience and a network of supportive friends. Now, she wants to help more women discover those same opportunities. Her mission is to make golf more welcoming and accessible for women and girls, and to build a diverse, inclusive golfing community. One that gives women the resources, space and confidence to thrive on the course.
We managed to sneak 10 minutes out of her busy schedule to sit down and find out about a typical day for her.
My morning routine:
I always start my day with a coffee! During the summer months, I’m usually up around 5am to begin work by 6:30am. On our busier days, we welcome up to 300 golfers, so preparation is key. When opening the Pro Shop, I make sure the space is clean, well-presented, and ready to receive guests. I also prepare any pre-booked rental equipment and ensure that any important updates or instructions are clearly communicated to the outside team.
A moment or activity on the course:
I’ve been playing golf since the age of 9 (over 14 years now) and I’ve still never had a hole-in-one!
Throughout my golfing journey, I’ve represented my club and county (Leicestershire), and competed in several national opens. One of my proudest achievements was finishing T26th in the U16 English Girls Open at just 14 years old.
Of the two courses at Fairmont St Andrews, I personally prefer the Kittocks. While it’s more challenging than the Torrance, it offers the most stunning views of St Andrews and a beautifully coastal layout that makes every round feel special.
A Women in Golf event or initiative:
At the beginning of 2025, I joined the Women in Golf Foundation Leadership Programme, run by The R&A. The seven-month programme (January to July) includes monthly Zoom sessions covering a range of topics, from growth mindset to effective communication.
Being part of this initiative has been incredibly valuable, encouraging both personal and professional reflection. It has significantly boosted my confidence and even gave me the courage to speak more openly with my managers, which led to me successfully asking for a promotion!
I’m passionate about growing women’s golf and continually advocate for more women’s events to be hosted at Fairmont St Andrews. Given our location in the Home of Golf, I truly believe that championing women’s golf would set us apart from other clubs in the region.
Interactions with guests or handling of tournament requests
Personally, I find there’s a noticeable contrast between the winter and summer seasons. In winter, our main guests tend to be Scottish residents. In summer, we predominantly welcome visitors from North America and Asia. (And I’ve learned never to confuse a Canadian with an American, which is why I now always say “North Americans” instead!)
When managing last-minute tournament requests, the two most common issues are players switching tee times or being replaced, and requests for competition markers like nearest the pin or longest drive.
As a golf team, we really enjoy hosting large-scale golf days, particularly shotgun starts, where all players tee off simultaneously across the course. These events often require significant amounts of rental equipment, so it’s essential to have everything accurately booked on the tee sheet to ensure we meet the needs of both the event participants and the other golfers playing on our second course.
Current handicap:
My current handicap is 2.9, although it’s fluctuating at the moment. This is because I’m competing in the Scottish Women’s Amateur Tour (SWAT) series throughout the summer. With regular competition play, particularly at this level, some variation is to be expected.
What’s in your golf bag:
My current bag includes a Mizuno JPX900 driver, 3-wood, and 5-wood, along with irons ranging from 4-iron to pitching wedge. I use Callaway Mack Daddy wedges in 52°, 56°, and 60°, and putt with a Ping Anser.
My go-to golf ball is the Titleist Pro V1. I prefer the FootJoy Cabretta glove for its feel and performance.
