PRESS RELEASE - SOCIETY OF LIVERPOOL GOLF CAPTAINS CENTENARY EVENT AT THE HOME OF GOLF - ST. ANDREWS.

Press Release


During the week of 17th August, 2008, the Annual Society of Liverpool Golf Captains Event will convene in St. Andrews, Scotland as part of the centenary celebrations for one of the most prestigious golf organisations in the country. More than 300 society members are expected to attend this gala golf and entertainment event, which has been organised on an unprecedented scale by the St. Andrews based company, St. Andrews Golf Vacations.

Hundreds of red-coated captains from golf clubs across Merseyside are coming to St Andrews, the Home of Golf, where they will be photographed on the steps of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. The Society has become very special and popular. Its membership includes the captains and past captains, more than 700 men from 27 clubs, and its status and popularity is so great that it is impossible to accept the captains from other, more recently established clubs.

Many Society members will stay in the fantastic St. Andrews University facility, the David Russell Apartments, which were opened in February 2007 by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

On Sunday 17th August, the event kicks off in grand style at the Old Course Hotel, Resort & Spa where the captains have been granted a civic reception, and will be formally welcomed by the Provost of Fife, Councillor Frances Melville.

One of Scotland’s best known entertainers, Joyce Falconer, of BBC1 Scotland River City fame, will also be on hand with her accordion to welcome the captains in traditional Scottish style. Young Falkland piper, John Heaton- Armstrong, aged 13, will play the bagpipes before and after the evening’s festivities.

Over the next three days, the captains will play three of Fife’s finest and historic golf courses – Ladybank, Crail Balcomie and The Duke’s.


Steve Cooke, Managing Director of St. Andrews Golf Vacations, helped the captains select the premier St. Andrews links venues. He suggested the The Duke’s St. Andrews (newly refurbished) as one of the three courses/ He is so impressed with this heathland championship courses that he has become corporate member there.

“Since Herb Kohler bought the Old Course Hotel, Resort & Spa, inheriting The Duke’s as part of the deal, it was obvious that he sought to deliver the same professionalism and quality that are associated with his Whistling Straits courses in Wisconsin (USA). Most of my clients who have played The Dukes are blown away by the experience. Mr. Kohler has left no stone unturned—the staff are magnificent on all levels, and the catering is second to none,” explained Mr Cooke.

Richard Pinn, VisitScotland Regional Director added: “St Andrews is renowned as the home of golf and it is therefore extremely fitting a group as prestigious as the Liverpool Society of Golf Captains should choose this location as part of the celebrations in their centenary year.

“This visit will create an ideal opportunity to showcase what Fife has to offer in terms of golf with three different courses being played; it will also highlight the breadth of accommodation, restaurants and fantastic conference facilities Fife has. Hopefully this will encourage return visits for years to come.”

The second course the captains will enjoy is a true links course, which is a “must” when visiting the area. The Crail Golfing Society - Balcomie Links, established in 1786 and the world’s 7th oldest golf course fitted the bill perfectly.

The third course, guests will play another ‘Links with History’ course, Ladybank Golf Club, established in 1879. Ladybank is used as an Open Qualifying course when the British Open comes to St. Andrews.

Once the golf is completed on Wednesday, at about 7.00pm, one of the most spectacular sights will be seen outside the Royal and Ancient. More than 300 Society members, wearing their long-tailed red jackets, will be photographed by Campbell Savage from the Royal and Ancient, which is believed to be the largest ever group photograph taken outside golf’s most famous building.

The award winning ‘Fife Constabulary Pipe Band’ will be on hand to lead the captains beside the 18th hole of the Old Course, all the way up to the Old Course Hotel, Resort and Spa, where they will be looking forward to pre-meal drinks.

The week will come to a convivial close with a centenary gala dinner, which is the largest ever society dinner ever held in the ‘Hall of Champions’ at the Old Course Hotel.

-Ends –

Notes to Editors

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:

• Scottish Celebrity Joyce Falconer will be available to photograph at the Old Course Hotel after 7.00pm
• The largest ever organized photograph outside the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St. Andrews, will take place on 20th August at 7.00pm
  

For more information, please contact Steve Cooke on golfgroups@aol.com, +44 1337 858888 or +44 7968034414.