Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington will be awarded Honorary Degrees by the University of St Andrews in a public ceremony in the town’s Younger Hall on Tuesday July 13th 2010.
The trio has won 18 major championships, including 9 British Open titles, over the course of the last half century.
The University will award each of them the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa in recognition of their achievements and outstanding contributions to the game of golf.
The awards ceremony – a traditional feature of Open Week in St Andrews – will take place at 3 p.m. on July 13th in the University’s graduation venue at Younger Hall in North Street, St Andrews. The degrees will be conferred by University Chancellor Sir Menzies Campbell.
Members of the public are warmly invited to attend the ceremony. Tickets are free and interest may be registered by email to golfgrad@st-andrews.ac.uk
University Principal Dr Louise Richardson said: “Individually and collectively, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington exemplify excellence, drive and achievement at the highest levels of professional sport.
“This will be an opportunity for St Andrews and Scotland to honour their determination and achievement in the game of golf and the pursuit of excellence. We are absolutely delighted that they have agreed to accept these Honorary Degrees at the home of golf on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship.”
Two-times Open champion Padraig Harrington said : “I am very proud to be awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of St Andrews and I am really looking forward to receiving it at the public ceremony in July during the Open Championship week. It is fantastic to be recognised for this honour but what makes it even more special is that I will be receiving it alongside golfing legends Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, whose achievements and contributions to the game I have admired and aspired to throughout my career.”
Previous recipients of Honorary Degrees from St Andrews include golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Gary Player, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Peter Thomson and Peter Allis. All have been invited to this year’s ceremony to witness their fellow professionals receive their degrees.
Founded in the 15th century, St Andrews is Scotland’s first university and the third oldest in the English speaking world.
The University is one of Europe’s most research intensive seats of learning. It is one of the world’s top rated for research, teaching quality and student satisfaction and is consistently ranked among the UK’s top five universities.
Its international reputation for delivering high quality teaching and research and student satisfaction make it one of the most sought after destinations for prospective students from the UK, Europe and overseas.
As it prepares to celebrate its 600th anniversary in 2013, the University is pursuing a varied programme of capital investment, including a New School of Medicine, the refurbishment of its Main Library, new sports facilities and the provision of new student accommodation.
Among its Honorary Graduates are Bob Dylan, Benjamin Franklin, Michael Douglas and the Dalai Lama.
University of St Andrews www.st-andrews.ac.uk