Levy photographic collection goes online

Sam Torrance celebrates winning the 1985 Ryder Cup at The Belfry. Credit: Joseph Levy Charitable Foundation

An online collection of over 1500 photographs by celebrated golf photographer Lawrence Levy is officially launched today (Tuesday 23 September), by the University of St Andrews, in the build-up to this year’s tournament at Gleneagles.

The collection makes available previously unseen photographs of now-classic Ryder Cup moments – including Sam Torrance’s winning putt on the last hole of The Belfry in 1985 and returning captain Tom Watson’s victory in 1993 – and brings to life the historical context in which this year’s cup will be played.

Collection cataloguer Trevor Ledger said:

“The Lawrence Levy Collection is one of the most complete photographic records of professional golf through the 1980s and 1990s.

“As official photographer for the European Ryder Cup Team, Lawrence held a unique position and was able to capture some incredible images from inside the ropes – indeed from inside the changing room too.”

The University’s Levy collection, donated by the Joseph Levy Foundation, is comprised of over 250,000 photographs, 1500 of which were taken at Ryder Cup tournaments between 1979 and 1993, when Levy was the official photographer of the European team.

Of the 250,000 photographs in the collection, over 10,000 are today available online, and the University’s Special Collections team are continuing to digitise the original photographs.

Mr Ledger said:

“As the golfing world gears up for the biennial battle between Europe and the United States at Gleneagles, the Special Collections division of the St Andrews University Library is delighted to be able to present a selection of iconic images of Ryder Cups from 1979 to 1993 along with a fully searchable database of our other historic photographs.

“With the process of digital cataloguing continuing, yet more images from across the collection will be added on a weekly basis.”

As well as capturing the golfers of the era, Levy focused on the other people of the game, including fans, families and media personnel. Peter Alliss, Roger Maltbie and Jack Whitaker are just a handful of the notable faces featured in the collection, as well as Ken Brown and Howard Clarke – both in their capacities as players and commentators.

ENDS

NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS

About Lawrence Levy

Lawrence Levy devoted the last 20 years of his life to photography, before succumbing to cancer at the age of 47. His love of golf is evident in his photographic work, and he became close friends with the likes of Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros, allowing him to capture them in natural, relaxed environments.

Levy was also a committed humanitarian, establishing and contributing to a number of charitable funds and events including the Lawrence Levy British Blind Golfers Masters tournament, the Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund, and the Chicken Shed Theatre Company for handicapped children.

About the photographic collection

To view the gallery, visit the University of St Andrews Special Collections online library here – http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/imu/imu.php?request=browse&irn=74.

A selection of photographs are available from the University of St Andrews Communications Office. Contact Elliot Busby on [email protected] or on 01334 462108.

Photos available to licence through the University of St Andrews Special Collections online library here – http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/library/specialcollections.