While The 2014 Ryder Cup at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire is still over six years away, golf in Scotland is already feeling the benefits. That was the message delivered at this year’s Scottish Golf Show in Edinburgh where The Ryder Cup trophy was on public display.
Paul Bush OBE, chief operating officer of EventScotland said, “EventScotland is the lead agency as Scotland prepares to host The 2014 Ryder Cup. Staging the competition at Gleneagles will provide a massive economic boost to Scotland and profile our country to millions of people around the world. A key part of our work as we build to that year is securing professional golf events that broaden interest and participation in the sport.
“This year EventScotland is investing in the Ladies Scottish Open, the Scottish Challenge, The Senior Open Championship, and the Scottish Seniors Open and we are looking at all golf opportunities through to 2020 and beyond.”
EventScotland also supports The Open Championship in conjunction with VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise.
Additionally Scotland hosts three European Tour events every year (The Barclays Scottish Open, the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship). In the future Scotland will also host the Walker Cup in 2011, and the Curtis Cup in 2008 and 2012.
Minister for Communities and Sport, Stewart Maxwell, said, “I’m sure people across Scotland are extremely excited about the prospect of The Ryder Cup coming back to the ‘Home of Golf’ in 2014. Together with the Commonwealth Games, which we’ll be hosting in Glasgow the same year, 2014 promises to be a truly spectacular year for sport in Scotland.
“I’m delighted that through EventScotland we’re continuing to secure high-profile golf events for Scotland, as they not only boost our economy but also help to cement Scotland’s reputation as a premier golfing nation and our status as the sport’s birthplace.
“In recognition of the importance the Scottish Government places on golf, we are investing more than £900,000 this year in the sport, including £500,000 for the Clubgolf programme which gives young people across Scotland the chance to try golf – helping to spot our stars of the future.”
Richard Hills, Ryder Cup director, said, “Ryder Cup Europe is delighted to make The Ryder Cup trophy available to EventScotland to showcase at the Scottish Golf Show today. This will provide visitors to the Scottish Golf Show with the opportunity to view the trophy which Europe will be seeking to win for a record fourth straight time against the United States when the 37th edition takes place at Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky on 19-21 September.
“We would like to thank EventScotland and the Scottish Government for their continued commitment to The 2014 Ryder Cup at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire in addition to the annual programme of golf tournaments which includes the Scottish Challenge, the Scottish Seniors Open, the Senior Open Championship, presented by MasterCard and the widely-acclaimed Junior Golf initiative, ClubGolf.”
Event Scotland www.EventScotland.org