Friday, December 04, 2009


KOHLER CO ACQUIRES HISTORIC HAMILTON

HALL, BEHIND 18th GREEN AT ST ANDREWS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY HELEN HEADY PR
Herb Kohler, Chairman and CEO of Wisconsin-based Kohler Co, today announced that the company, through its subsidiary, The Old Course Limited, has purchased Hamilton Hall of St Andrews, one of the most photographed buildings (behind the 186th green on the Old Course) in the world of golf.
Kohler Co emerged as the accepted party from a competitive bidding process for the property conducted by Jones Lang La Salle and the Bank of Scotland. The Old Course Limited now owns and operates the 5 AA Red Star Old Course Hotel, the Kohler Waters Spa and The Duke’s golf course, all of which will play a role in the future of Hamilton Hall.
Hamilton Hall, which opened as a hotel in its own right in 1895, remains a stately four-storey building of 45,000 square feet that overlooks the 18th green and fairway of the Old Course, the world’s most famous golf course, and looks down The West Sands beach and out to the North Sea and sits adjacent to the 255 year old Royal & Ancient Golf Club.
Unfortunately, its interior is little more than rubble. Nevertheless, when Hamilton Hall became available for purchase, Herb Kohler felt that it was restorable and a good fit with the Kohler resort properties.
“We are honoured,” he said, “to own such an iconic building in the home of golf.”
Hamilton Hall was originally opened as the Grand Hotel in 1895 to capitalise on the rapid expansion of St Andrews as a popular tourist destination for golf and sea bathing.
Founder Thomas Hamilton is said to have commissioned the construction immediately after his application for membership had been rejected by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. In an attempt to draw attention away from the Royal & Ancient, Hamilton constructed the much larger and more extravagant building adjacent to it.
During World War II, the hotel was requisitioned by the armed forces and never reopened as a hotel. Shortly after the end of the War, the hotel was acquired by the University of St Andrews and was opened as a hall of residence in 1949 under the name Hamilton Hall.
In 2005, the University announced that it had sold the Hall as the result of an unsolicited bid and consequently the university session 2005-06 would be the last year Hamilton Hall would be open as a hall of residence.
The building is one of the most famous in St Andrews as it was featured in the film Chariots of Fire and in global television coverage of the many golf tournaments played on the Old Course.
“We are excited about the development opportunities for Hamilton Hall, and appreciate both the support and enthusiasm the local community has for the property,” added Kohler. “We look forward to gathering input from the townspeople and the Fife Council as to what the name of the building should be along with its future use.”
Kohler Co. intends to conduct a “public consultation process” over the next few months toward creating a unique and economically viable product that will enhance St Andrews standing as the world’s premier golf destination.
Herb Kohler suggested that “individuals who may one day occupy Hamilton Hall would be afforded a number of hospitality amenities including public and private dining at the Old Course Hotel, concierge and valet service, Kohler Waters Spa membership and The Duke’s Golf Club membership, as well as a week at our very special private club called Riverbend in Kohler, Wisconsin, USA.”
“Our priority is to complete the preservation of Hamilton Hall and return it to a viable and prominent position in St Andrews for generations to come,” Kohler continued. “Our company has long demonstrated the passion and ability it takes to restore historic buildings back to great distinction.”

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