The internationally recognised Special Collections of the University of St Andrews, Scotland, including its extensive collections of golf photography, are to benefit from the support of Mission Hills Group in China, the world’s largest golf facility.
Missions Hills is strengthening its ties with Scotland by supporting the 600th Anniversary celebrations of St Andrews, founded in 1413.
Mission Hills Group has already committed a six-figure sum to fund the development of St Andrews’ Special Collections, which include extensive golf photography archives covering the development of golf from the 19th century onwards, including the Lawrence Levy collection of more than 250,000 images. The University is currently fundraising to make these treasures more accessible with the creation of museum-quality display space, secure storage facilities, and dedicated teaching rooms.
Meanwhile in China plans are being developed for a GolfMuseum to commemorate the legacy of David Chu, considered by many “the father of golf in China” and the founder of Mission Hills Group. The University of St Andrews and Mission Hills will collaborate on displays for the new museum.
St Andrews and Mission Hills will also work to strengthen Scottish-Sino links during the University’s 600th Anniversary Golf Tournament being held this summer, and will promote academic ties through scholarships for Chinese and Scottish exchange students. Mission Hills is the first golf club around the world to partner with the University of St Andrews during its 600th Anniversary.
St Andrews Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Louise Richardson said: “Scotland and China – notwithstanding the extraordinary difference in scale – share a centuries-old passion for golf and an enduring commitment to the value of education. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Mission Hills Group to preserve the heritage of the game here in St Andrews and in China.
“We hope that our joint enterprise will not only strengthen cultural connections, but allow scholars, golfers, and the public in both our countries to explore the history and heritage of golf.”
Mission Hills will also play a key part in the University’s 600th Anniversary Golf Tournament – the St Andrews 600. The friendly competition will incorporate rounds of golf on The Duke’s, Kingsbarns Golf Links and the Old Course from 21 – 23 June, 2013. Competitors will include St Andrews alumni, donors, friends and corporate supporters and the event is designed to raise funds for university teaching and research in St Andrews.
Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group which has played host to more than 100 international tournaments, will bring his golf management expertise to Scotland as Honorary Vice-Chairman of the 600th Anniversary Golf Tournament.
He said: “It’s a great honour for Mission Hills to be the only golf club in China to be partnering with the University of St Andrews. We are dedicated to promoting golf development around the world and with golf’s return to the Olympics and China’s potential to be the world’s largest golfing market, our association with St AndrewsUniversity and their extensive golf archive within their Special Collections is a very special partnership for us with great potential.”
St Andrews 600 Tournament Director, Professor Andy Mackenzie said: “The University is delighted that Mr. Chu has agreed to accept the role of Honorary Vice-Chairman of The St Andrews 600. It is a true honour to have someone of his standing, and who has achieved so much in terms of growing the game, lending his name to our efforts.”
To make sure the bonds between St Andrews and Mission Hills are strong and long-lasting, the Group is also keen to build educational links, and to encourage further collaboration and understanding through future generations of scholars. The University of St Andrews and Mission Hills Group hope to work together to develop scholarship opportunities to give St Andrews students the chance to study in China and join the graduate intern programme at Mission Hills and to encourage Chinese students to study at Scotland’s first University.
The St Andrews 600 Tournament is part of the University of St Andrews’ 600th Anniversary Campaign to raise £100m for university projects.
For further information go to: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/600/campaign/
Mission Hills Group www.missionhillschina.com
University of St Andrews www.st-andrews.ac.uk