The St Andrews Golf Festival has released the official film of the inaugural Festival that was held over five days in late March. The film portrays the dynamic spirit of the Festival, while highlighting the rich variety of speakers who participated, the artwork, photography, handcrafted golf clubs, artifact displays and historic memorabilia that were showcased, and novel events – such as street golf. The engaging film, which may be viewed at www.standrewsgolffestival.com, captures the activities that made for the successful week at the Home of Golf.
Richard Wax, Chairman of the St Andrews Golf Festival said, “We are delighted to be able to give people a real flavour of the Festival week in St Andrews. It was a tremendous success for a first-time event and we already are working on plans to take the St Andrews Golf Festival to the USA, Far East and Eastern Europe. We really want to take the fun of the Festival in St Andrews and share it all across the world. ”
The St Andrews Golf Festival was a celebration of the culture of golf and included golf art, photography, literature, architecture, rare collections and humour. It was a gathering of individuals wishing to share their passion for the game and who came to celebrate this inaugural event from as far afield asCaliforniaandAustralia.
There were talks by historians such as MungoPark, great grandson of Willie Park Senior and authors Darius Oliver and George Peper; and displays from global golf brands such as Glenmuir. There also was street golf by Paris based 19th Trou, which may be seen in their video www.19mtrou.com/v2/tournoi/st-andrews-streetgolf, as well as golf for children by SNAG Golf on the St Andrews Links Trust land beside the 1st hole of the Old Course.
The St Andrews Golf Festival Awards night at St Andrews University’s historic Younger Hall, sponsored by the newly launched Golf Illustrated, heralded the best in a variety of golf disciplines, such as the Literati of the Links Award for Literature and the Lawrence Levy Award for Golf Photography. The evening highlighted the values of the game with Old Tom Festival Awards for Courage to double-amputee Mike Reeder who played the Old Course from a wheelchair in 79 shots, and an Integrity Award to English professional Brian Davis, who called a penalty on himself in the playoff for the Verizon Heritage Golf Classic title.
Roger McStravick, CEO of the Festival added, “We were tremendously pleased with year one. It was a superb week to be in St Andrews with so much to see and do. We also were gratified with the media coverage that reached over half a billion people. It is the most successful coverage ever for a new golf event and will get stronger and stronger as we move forward. We hope people enjoy the new film and that it encourages more visitors to come to St Andrews or to whichever destination the Festival travels.”
The St Andrews Golf Festival team have also been working with other organisations on behalf of their own Festivals or touring golf exhibitions. The Bob Hope exhibition by the World Golf Hall of Fame at the Greenwich Heritage Centre, London on Friday 13th July is one such exhibition. Bob Hope: A World of Laughter has been painstakingly produced by the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum with the support of the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. This exhibition will appeal to fans of Bob Hope, golf and comedy lovers, nostalgia and culture vultures. If you’re in an Olympic mood and looking for a fun exhibition with a hint of sport, this is the ideal destination.
The St Andrews Golf Festival also has just agreed to support the new UNICEF French Committee’s global ambassador, Jean van De Velde. The money their initiatives raise will protect vulnerable children and their families in Sri Lanka.
The St. Andrews Golf Festival film was made by the highly talented St Andrean, Andy Brown of www.homeofgolf.tv