A public sector partnership in Scotland has rallied round the first staging of the Senior British Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club from 21-24 July
Members of the North-east of Scotland Economic Forum, Aberdeen City Council, Scottish Enterprise Grampian and VisitScotland – Aberdeen and Grampian plus EventScotland, Scotland’s event agency, have all embraced the biggest championship to be played in the north east of Scotland. Their support of this tournament, a joint venture between the European Seniors Tour and The R&A, will add immeasurably to the profile of the world class event.
Golfing legends such as Greg Norman, Gary Player and Tom Watson, along with many of Europe’s finest players, including winning Ryder Cup Captain, Sam Torrance, will tee up at the Balgownie links later next month.
Aberdeen City Council is a championship patron and, like Scottish Enterprise Grampian, recognise the enormous economic benefits to the north east of Scotland that the championship will bring. The Council plans to brand the city’s main thoroughfare, Union Street, with Senior British Open livery to welcome all visitors.
EventScotland with VisitScotland are promoting Scotland as The Home of Golf and between them have put their weight behind three consecutive weeks of outstanding competitive golf during July with their support of The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, The Open Championship at St Andrews and The Senior British Open, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management.‘
Colin Donald, Director of Finance and Competitive Business for Scottish Enterprise Grampian, commented, “The region will benefit not only from the fact that the players, organisers and their entourage will stay in the area, but also from the estimated 5,000 visitors a day to the event and the extensive media coverage it will generate. As the coverage is to be broadcast in 20 countries, there is also the expectation that it will bring in future visits from people seeing our fantastic golf opportunities and wonderful scenery on TV. “
Ian Dunlop, Area Director of VisitScotland – Aberdeen and Grampian said, “We are really excited about the Senior British Open being held at Royal Aberdeen from 21 July to 24 July. It is a great opportunity to highlight the fantastic quality and range of golf we have here in Aberdeen and Grampian with over 70 courses in spectacular surroundings. We also plan to tell a world-wide audience why they must put a visit to Scotland’s Castle and Whisky Country on their next holiday itinerary. We are confident that Royal Aberdeen will provide a real test for some of the true greats of world golf as well as providing a unique chance for golf fans to see their heroes at close quarters.”
This is the first of a three-year deal between Aberdeen Asset Management, The R& A and the European Seniors Tour to support the Senior British Open, which is being staged for the 19th time – the third occasion since it was accorded Senior Major status.
Aberdeen Asset Management’s sponsorship portfolio incorporates a number of events, institutions and individuals, including the 1999 Open Golf Champion, Paul Lawrie. The Company’s most significant sponsorship investment to date was its six year association with the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race – a major sponsorship which came to an end in 2004.
EventScotland is a joint venture between the Scottish Executive and VisitScotland. It was created to deliver the Major Events Strategy published by the Scottish Executive in November 2002. The strategy is designed to maximise the benefits of existing events, to attract new events, to showcase Scotland’s assets and to encourage more people to visit Scotland to experience at first hand major sporting, cultural and arts events being staged in the country. www.eventscotland.org
The European Tour www.europeantour.com
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