The handover ceremony at The 2012 Ryder Cup features a film starring real Scots, to promote Scotland as the Home of Golf and Gleneagles as the host venue for The 2014 match between Europe and the United States. Created by VisitScotland and The Leith Agency, the clip will be watched by an estimated 500 million people around the world.
Representing Scotland’s preparation for The 2014 Ryder Cup, and the country’s relationship with golf, the film includes references key Scottish industries including fishing, science, entertainment and tourism. The soundtrack for the film is also Scottish, with a brand new composition of traditional Gaelic music performed by Julie Fowlis and Nicola Benedetti.
Shot on location around Scotland the film mixes some iconic scenes with golf, including a player driving at the top of Glencoe; chipping a tPittenweem Harbour and Dalwhinnie Distillery; and putting in the Edinburgh BioQuarter. The final shots are of the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, which will host the match in 2014, with viewers asked – ‘Scotland is preparing for 2014. Are you?’
Ewan Mackintosh, Distillery Manager at the Dalwhinnie Distillery said: “It was great to take part in the film and I’m delight that Dalwhinnie distillery is featuring in such a fantastic film promoting Scotland. As a golf and whisky fan I was particularly pleased to be involved. We are very proud of the role Scotch whisky plays in selling Scotland to the world and to be associated with the Ryder Cup makes us even more proud. Everyone at Dalwhinnie distillery can’t wait for the Ryder Cup to come to Gleneagles in 2014.”
There is also a focus on youth with children from the ClubGolf programme seen practicing at the St Andrews Links in Fife. ClubGolf, a key legacy element of Scotland’s bid to host The 2014 Ryder Cup has to date introduced over 260,000 young people to the game, and is delivered both in schools and at over 300 golf clubs in Scotland.
Caelan Laesecke, a member of the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association said the filming was “really enjoyable” and that she was “very pleased to take part in something that will be seen all over the world.”
Dr Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said: “The closing ceremony at this year’s Ryder Cup is particularly important for us as we officially become the host nation for the event in 2014. It also presents a fantastic opportunity for us to sell Scotland to a huge global television audience and I am very proud of the short film that has been created. I hope the handover will excite and inspire everyone who knows and loves Scotland from around the world.”
Other stars of the short film include Senior European Tour player Terry Burgoyne and American street performer Todd Various. Terry is seen walking – and then driving – in the spectacular Glencoe, while Todd was filmed performing with a golf club and ball on The Royal Mile during this year’s Edinburgh Festival.
The 2014 Ryder Cup www.rydercup2014.com
VisitScotland www.visitscotland.org