A priceless archive of golf photography held by St Andrews University is to benefit from the support of Mission Hills Golf Group in China.
Mission Hills is strengthening its ties with Scotland by supporting the 600th anniversary celebrations of the university, 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.
St Andrews University is raising funds to make these and other treasures in its special collections more accessible with the creation of 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 Golf Club.
St Andrews University and Mission Hills Group will collaborate on displays for the new museum.
St Andrews and Mission Hills Group will also work to strengthen Scottish-Sino links during the university’s 600th Anniversary Golf Tournament being held from June 21-23, and will promote academic ties through scholarships for Chinese and Scottish exchange students.
St Andrews University principal and vice-chancellor Professor Louise Richardson said: “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.”
Tenniel Chu, vice-chairman of Mission Hills Group, will bring his golf management expertise to Scotland as honorary vice-chairman of St Andrews University’s 600th Anniversary Golf Tournament.
He said: “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.”