A ST ANDREWS charity has scooped a windfall after the success of a global internet auction offering a golfing holiday of a lifetime.

The St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation, which raises funds to help restore and maintain the old town’s conservation area, sought the highest bidder for a week-long package in the town this summer.

The worldwide eBay auction was the second organised by the charity and its supporters for 2007. The winning bid came from Richard McAlvery, of New Jersey, who paid $11,300 for the prize, which runs from June 30 until July 7.

Earlier this year a first golfing holiday, for four people later this month, attracted a $12,000 top bid in the online auction.

Mr McAlvery’s bid won him accommodation in an elegant Georgian town centre town house for either eight golfers, or four golfers with partners or families.

Also available are guaranteed foursome tee times on three courses—the Old Course in St Andrews, Kingsbarns links and Lundin Links, a previous qualifying course for the Open Championship—plus a three-day ticket for four on other links courses in St Andrews, plus a private visit and guided tour of the R&A clubhouse.

Transport from Glasgow or Edinburgh airports and throughout the seven-day stay will be available, as well as a full social calendar with warm Scots hospitality.

Charity trustee Mrs Maries Cassells said yesterday, “We are especially pleased as this is the first time we have used a private house instead of hotel for accommodation.

“Richard is so excited and says our package is so well put together and gives the bidder many things money cannot buy. All associated with the charity are so pleased we have sold two packages this year.”

Since its launch, the charity has raised more than £150,000 for various schemes in the town. Its latest venture will help St Andrews University reveal a new view of an ancient “hidden treasure” unseen for many years. Obscured by a forbidding wooden door, the picturesque garden of St John’s House and the department of mediaeval history will soon, it is hoped, be in the public eye once more.