The British Golf Museum has formally announced that it is to create a new rooftop caf as part of the expansion and redesign of its premises in St Andrews.
The Courier revealed in February that the museum had been given permission by Fife Council to expand its premises upwards on the Bruce Embankment at St Andrews.
Now the R&A has said that the museum will close to the public on May 2, with the building work due to commence in June.
The museum, rated as a five-star attraction by VisitScotland, will re-open to the public a year later in June 2015, in time for The Open Championship at St Andrews.
The caf will have seating for 80 and an outdoor terrace with west-facing views across West Sands beach toward the Old Course.
The museum entrance, reception and shop areas will also be revamped as part of the changes to the building.
Angela Howe, director of the British Golf Museum, said: “The caf extension and redesign of the museum entrance, reception and shop can be seen as a new chapter in the museum’s history. It is the most significant development to take place since the museum opened in 1990.
“We are committed to improving our services for the benefit of our visitors and the local community. The caf and revamped reception area will be popular among our customers and will encourage more people to come in and find out what the museum has to offer.
“The architectural design complements the existing building and the roof-top caf will offer stunning views of the unique surrounding area.”
Last year the council’s North East Fife Area Committee rejected a proposed extension as members said it would impinge upon a view of the world-famous West Sands beach it was designed to overlook and impact on the landscape setting of the neighbouring Royal and Ancient Golf Club listed building.
However, a fresh application was approved unanimously by the committee in February after councillors were told the orientation of the proposals had been changed.
The first-floor extension, which will raise the height of the museum by 13ft, will house the main caf area and will sit on a north-south axis running parallel with Golf Place.
Members of the public can view plans for the new caf in the museum reception until May 2.