Sino Scots golf heritage collaboration

Arnold Palmer on the 10th tee with caddie Tip Anderson at the 1960 Open Championship in St Andrews. (Courtesy of the University of St Andrews Library, George M. Cowie Collection, GMC_7_35_12)

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 600^th 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. They include the Lawrence Levy collection of more than 250,000 images and the collections of Scottish photographer George Cowie.

Scotland’s first university is currently fundraising to make these and other treasures in its Special Collections more accessible with the creation of museum-quality display space, secure storage facilities, and dedicated teaching rooms in St Andrews.

Meanwhile in China plans are being developed for a Golf Museum 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 600^th 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 600^th 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 June 21 – 23, 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 Andrews University 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 Hillsare 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: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/600/campaign

About Mission Hills Group

Mission Hills Group (www.missionhillschina.com), owner and operator of Mission Hills in the heart of the Pearl River Delta and the tropical island of Hainan, is the pioneer in China’s fledgling hospitality, sports and leisure industry.

Founded in 1992, Mission Hills is recognized as the leading golf brand in the world and synonymous with high-end, luxurious and exquisitely-designed residences. Mission Hills has been the major driving force behind the sports and leisure industry in China. Its three world-class integrated leisure and wellness resort destinations have hosted more than 100 international tournaments. Mission Hills has also been accredited the “World’s Largest Golf Club” and the “World`s Largest Spa Resort” by the Guinness World Records.

Mission Hills properties sprawl over 40 sq.km. They include 22 championship courses designed by renowned players and architects from five continents, five-star resorts, award-winning spas and volcanic mineral springs, an international convention center, golf academies and Asia’s largest tennis facility. Mission Hills is also the official training headquarters for China’s Tennis and Golf Associations.

Mission Hills Group has achieved many milestones and developed into the eminent conglomerate in the sports, tourism, leisure and entertainment industry. The next breakthrough in the Group’s evolution will occur as it brings its tried and true branding and golf management services to Beijing, Shanghai, Yunnan, Chongqing, Xian and other destinations.

For further information, please contact:-

Mona Li

Mission Hills China

Tel: +86 755 2802 0888# 38890

Email: [email protected]

About the University of St Andrews

Founded in the 15th century, St Andrews is Scotland’s first university and the third oldest in the English speaking world. Teaching began in the community of St Andrews in 1410 and the University was formally constituted by the issue of Papal Bull in 1413.

The University is now one of Europe’s most research intensive seats of learning. It is among the top rated universities in Europe for research, teaching quality and student satisfaction and is consistently ranked among the UK’s top five in leading independent league tables produced by The Times, The Guardian and the Sunday Times. According to the Sunday Times, St Andrews is “now firmly established as the leading multi-faculty alternative to Oxford and Cambridge.”

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. It is Scotland’s most cosmopolitan university – a third of the student body of 7500 is from overseas.

It has a staff of 1800 and maintains one of the strongest records in the UK for teaching quality, good degrees and student support. It has consistently been judged one of the top five UK universities for student satisfaction, according to theannual UK National Student Survey.

In 2013 the University received on average 12 applications per place. St Andrews has not entered clearing for several years and sets highly challenging asking rates to attract only the most academically potent students in the Arts, Sciences, Medicine and Divinity.

As it celebrates the 600^th anniversary of its founding, St Andrews is pursuing an ambitious £100 million fundraising campaign to support developments in teaching, research, scholarships and special collections. St Andrews alumnus HRH Prince William the Duke of Cambridge is Patron of the 600^th Fundraising Appeal.

Niall Scott
Director of Corporate Communications
University of St Andrews
Tel: +44 1334 462244
Mobile: 07711 223062
Email: [email protected]
University web: www.st-andrews.ac.uk