NEW YORK — The Columbia University men's golf program has announced a 10-year extension to its historic agreement and partnership with The Saint Andrew's Golf Club. Located in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, Saint Andrew's is a highly-regarded facility that is widely recognized as the birthplace of golf in America.
 
"We're incredibly excited to continue our wonderful relationship with Saint Andrew's for another decade," said Columbia head coach Rich Mueller. "The club continues to be a cornerstone in our success and the mainstay facility for our men's team. Our success within the Ivy League and competing at a championship level is, in part, attributable to having a facility and membership that cares about our program and the amateur ideal."
 
Columbia announced its original landmark agreement with Saint Andrew's back in 2014. One of the highlights from the past 10 years with Saint Andrew's was the opportunity to host the 125th Anniversary of the first intercollegiate golf match, which was contested back in 1896. Columbia played Yale in a recreation of the original match on October 6, 2021 – this time, it was Columbia who settled the score by defeating Yale, 15-2. The event received international press coverage, including coverage in Sports Illustrated, Golf Digest, and the New York Times.
 
"On behalf of the Board of Governors and The Saint Andrew's Golf Club, we are delighted to continue this relationship with Columbia University and the men's golf program," Saint Andrew's President Martin Murphy said. "The high-character and exceptional young men that play and practice at Saint Andrew's are a credit to Rich Mueller. We look forward to the next 10 years and what the future holds for both Columbia and Saint Andrew's."
 
The agreement is significant for Columbia as it seeks to remain among the best NCAA Division I men's golf programs in the Ivy League and the Northeast. The Lions will have access to Saint Andrew's throughout the school year for training and practice sessions. They will also benefit from natural grass practice tees, golf carts, dining options, and summer access.
 
"When strategizing ways to ensure the continued success of our program, recommitting to a facility and membership that cares about the same things we do was an easy choice - it simply feels like home," Mueller added. "The renovations and improvements to the golf course over the last ten years have further added to the character and exceptional course conditioning. Couple that with the addition of the Learning Center and second short game area, and it's a recipe that  prepares our student-athletes very well for competitive tournament play."
 
Additionally, the agreement encourages Saint Andrew's and Columbia to partner in mutually beneficial ways, including meet-and-greet events at Saint Andrew's, attendance of Columbia Golf's annual Senior Dinner and hosting other Columbia golf events and camps.
 
"We are excited to continue this long-standing relationship with Columbia University," said Gregory R. Bisconti, Head Golf Professional at Saint Andrew's. "Coach Mueller has done a terrific job positioning Columbia as an elite golf program and we look forward to the student-athletes utilizing Saint Andrew's world class facilities to help achieve their desired goals."
 
ABOUT THE SAINT ANDREW'S GOLF CLUB
Saint Andrew's was founded in 1888 after Scottish sportsman John Reid and his friends played a round of "Gowf" in a pasture in Yonkers, with clubs transported from Saint Andrew's in Scotland. The club would go on to become a founding member of the United States Golf Association, hosting the first US amateur and "open" championships in 1894. The club moved to its current location in 1897 and was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus as part of a personal project by the legendary golfer in the early 1980s.
 
ABOUT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Columbia University was founded in 1754 as King's College by royal charter of England's King George II. For more than 250 years, Columbia has been at the forefront of American higher education. Similarly, the University's sponsorship of intercollegiate athletics has a long and storied tradition, beginning in the 19th Century. Columbia is a founding member of The Ivy League, an NCAA Division I athletics conference synonymous with academic and competitive excellence.
 
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