St. Andrews, Scotland
2006 Masters champion Phil Mickelson will be one of the founding members of the St Andrews Grand, a world-class private club with residences located in Fife, Scotland and overlooking the first tee and final hole of the Old Course at St Andrews, the most prestigious address in golf. Mickelson's commitment to the club speaks to his appreciation of the sport of golf at St Andrews, where the game has been played for 600 years. The announcement was made jointly by Mickelson and St Andrews Grand.
The St Andrews Grand itself, with its six stories of red sandstone topped by a distinctive cupola, was originally an opulent hotel but is now a masterpiece in mothballs. Its renovation will restore the structure as a world-class golf and sporting club with luxury residential suites, allowing occupants a sweeping view of the Old Course, the St Andrews Bay, and the historic 12th Century town of St Andrews.
The renovation, which will preserve the exterior architecture, begins in July and is expected to be complete in spring 2008. Wasserman Real Estate Capital LLC, based in Providence, Rhode Island (USA), is developing the project.
"There are 60 million golfers in the world, but only one St Andrews, only one home of golf and only 115 memberships at the St Andrews Grand. We are pleased, and proud, that Phil Mickelson has chosen to become one of our founding members," said David Wasserman, a principal at Wasserman Real Estate Capital. "Phil recognizes that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is impossible to put a dollar value on what it means to own such an heirloom and pass it down from generation to generation."
"The St Andrews Grand is thrilled to have attracted founding members like Phil, whose achievements mirror the world class success that many of the club's other founders have achieved. To have a member like Phil, who has captured more than 29 PGA Tour victories, including two Masters and the PGA Championship, is fantastic.
He is one of his profession's most respected individuals, and he is a fan favorite (few golfers sign as many autographs as he) and community role model. He and his wife have three children and their future played a role in his decision to become a charter member of St Andrews. With only 115 memberships available, he realized the scarcity would prove desirable and valuable."
"I became a founding member of the St Andrews Grand because of my love of the St Andrews community and the Old Course, as well as my respect for its traditions," Mickelson said. "But I also recognize that the memberships themselves will be valuable family heirlooms, passed on to future generations who share a passion for this storied site. My family and I have a long history of coming to St Andrews, and we now look forward to returning with extended family and friends."
Mickelson said he had applied for and secured a membership in the Grand club, then subsequently approached the club about promoting it. "I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for this golfing treasure with as many people as possible," he added.
About the St Andrews Grand and Wasserman Real Estate Capital
The St Andrews Grand (www.standrewsgrand.com) is a private club and luxury residence located in St Andrews, Scotland, overlooking the first tee and final hole of the legendary Old Course at St Andrews. The club will feature 23 luxury three- and four-bedroom residences, each specially designed to make the best use of the space, light and sweeping views afforded by its incomparable location. Restoration of the St Andrews Grand is underway, with completion expected in spring 2008.
Wasserman Real Estate Capita (www.wrecapital.com) is a 44-year-old, family-owned real estate company with retail, multi-family and mixed-use properties located throughout the United States and in Europe, each noted for its creative design, integrated functions, and innovative use of art and other cultural amenities. Among the projects currently under development are 550Q, a mixed-use luxury residential condominium project in West Palm Beach, Florida; Hyde Park Village, an upscale mixed-use center with multi-family residential units, open-air specialty retail and office space in Tampa, Florida; Granite Park, a luxury multi-family development in Pasadena, California; The Bryant, a high-end residence in Boston, Massachusetts; Lido Marina, a mixed-use development with luxury multi-family residential, retail, office and boat slips; and the St Andrews Grand, a private club with residences located adjacent to the Old Course at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland.
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CONTACT: U.S. Contacts: Connie Hubbell Clapp Stewart Lewack The Hubbell Group, Inc. +1 781-878-8882 +1 617-529-3700 (mobile) hubbell@hubbellgroup.com slewack@hubbellgroup.com or T.R. Reinman Gaylord Sports Management +1 619-889-0097 (mobile)
CONTACT: U.S. Contacts: Connie Hubbell Clapp Stewart Lewack The Hubbell Group, Inc. +1 781-878-8882 +1 617-529-3700 (mobile) hubbell@hubbellgroup.com slewack@hubbellgroup.com or T.R. Reinman Gaylord Sports Management +1 619-889-0097 (mobile) , ,
Source: Business Wire (Business Wire India)