A quiet spell at St Andrews Old Course, which has coincided with a gloomy prediction for golf tourism, has been dismissed as a “blip.”

Last week fewer players than normal requested tee times at the famous course.

During high season there are usually many more requests—or “cards”— entered into the daily ballot than there are available tee-off times.

A spokesman for St Andrews Links Trust confirmed that one day last week the ballot was only two cards “overdrawn.”

While he said it had been a quiet week, he ruled out the suggestion it was anything more than a blip.

He also said that although it was unusual for the ballot not to be absolutely full, it was not unheard of.

The chairman of Golf Tourism Scotland warned earlier this month the industry could be on the brink of disaster with visitor numbers falling.

However, trust spokes-man Mike Woodcock said yesterday, “We get fluctuations from time to time.

“I don’t think you can say it is the result of anything in particular.

“Comparisons would need to be made over a long period of time.”

He said there had been one particularly quiet day for the Old Course, but pointed out that the new Castle Course was doing a brisk trade.

He added, “It is fair to say it has been quieter.

“There does tend to be a dip just before the Open and around July 4 due to the celebrations in America.”

Last week the trust announced it was freezing visitor green fees for its public courses in 2009.