£8 Million St Andrews Development on target for 2000 Open Golf Championship

The Gateway to create new International Golfing Society

National Press Release in the UK, 12 January 2000

St Andrews will not only host the Millennium Open Golf Championship but from May 2000 the doors will open at The Gateway, St Andrews new £8 million tourism and business development. The Gateway will create a complete visitor complex featuring three integral parts, the St Andrews Golfing Society - a private luxury international members club, with views over the famous Old Course, the University of St Andrews Museum and Information Centre and the Gateway Conference Venue. The St Andrews Golfing Society is already attracting both international and local membership on an annual subscription basis. Members will be able to relax and enjoy high quality facilities, including a fully equipped health club and gymnasium, bars and restaurants – including an exclusive Teppanyaki restaurant, Sushi bar and cigar bar, golf clinic and valeting, golf retail merchandise and use of the business and conference facilities.

Membership of the Society will provide access to tee-off reservation times on some of the finest courses in Scotland, including Kingsbarns which, opening in July 2000, is already recognised as one of the greatest links courses to be created this century.

Geoff Lang, Chief Executive of St Andrews International Limited, explained: "St Andrews already attracts over a million visitors annually and over two thirds of them come to play golf. By creating a business and conference centre within a complex which has five star leisure facilities and access to the world famous courses of Scotland, members will be able to combine business and pleasure in the same visit providing the sense of belonging which they have previously been unable to experience."

Whilst members may well stay at top hotels throughout the surrounding area, the Society has also negotiated access to country houses which do not usually offer accommodation to the general public. Excursions have also been created for those not wishing to play golf.

The University of St Andrews Museum and Information Centre will chart the progress of the University through the centuries and will feature priceless artifacts, including the University’s original maces dating back to the 15th century.

St Andrews Golfing Society will also showcase an important international collection of painting and golfing memorabilia which includes original paintings and photography depicting Scotland’s unique role as the home of golf.