St. Augustine, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2014) – The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum today unveiled its Phase IV Strategic Plan that includes a new focus on the institution becoming a trusted source for golf’s history and legacy matters. In addition to recognizing and preserving the legacies of the game’s greatest players and contributors, the strategic direction of the institution will now include programs and initiatives to help preserve the history of the game.
The new initiative will gradually transition the Hall of Fame to become a central repository for golf’s history, with particular emphasis on the professional game. The Hall of Fame will focus more attention and resources on research, education and data capture in an effort to provide stories and content to fans, media and others.
The new effort is highlighted by the addition of Dr. Anthony Parker as the Hall of Fame’s official Historian. Parker comes to the Hall of Fame from the University of St. Andrews, where he served as the Curator of Golf Collections. Parker joins the Hall of Fame on March 3 and will oversee plans to maintain and increase the Hall’s archive of physical and intellectual golf history.
“This is an important and exciting philosophical shift for the Hall of Fame,” said Jack Peter, Chief Operating Officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame. “It comes after nearly a year of strategic discussions with a broad cross section of our constituents and our Board of Directors. By increasing the scope of the Hall of Fame’s preservation work, our goal is to provide even greater value to the game and its fans. We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Parker and look forward to his leadership in helping guide those efforts.”
Under Dr. Parker’s direction, the golf collection at the University of St. Andrews became a world-renowned archive. With its vast assemblage of documents and photos, the University was able to create photographic exhibitions and facilitate research, including new works about Old & Young Tom Morris.
Dr. Parker began his education at the University of Georgia, where he earned Bachelor and Masters of Arts degrees in History. He spent the last 21 years in Scotland, first as Director of Administration and Undergraduate programs for the University of Dundee and later earning his doctorate in History from the University of St. Andrews.
“I am looking forward to joining the team at the World Golf Hall of Fame,” said Parker. “I am excited about this new strategic initiative and believe it will serve to support and preserve the heritage of this great game.”
For more information on the Hall of Fame, visit WorldGolfHallofFame.org.
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About the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum
The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum preserves and honors the history of golf and the legacies of those who have made it great. The Hall of Fame and Museum, located at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., serves as a steward of the game through engaging, interactive storytelling and exhibitions featuring artifacts, works of art, audio, video and photography significant to the history of golf and its members.
The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 nonprofit institution and is allied with 26 national and international golf organizations, including The European Tour, LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, The R&A and USGA. To learn more about the Hall of Fame or to lend support, visit www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org.
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As the Founding Partner of the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum and World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company played a lead role in supporting the development and growth of the institution, which opened in 1998. Since then, their continued involvement has led the way for others to join in support of the Hall of Fame & Museum’s mission.
