Scotland cements its reputation as The Home of Golf, with a strong delegation in attendance at the world’s biggest golf industry gathering – the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.
VisitScotland and Scottish Development International are supporting the attendance of 15 Scottish businesses at the show, which attracts more than 1,000 golf businesses from across the globe and in excess of 40,000 delegates comprising influential PGA Professionals, media and key industry decision makers.
Scotland’s presence is once again under the world-renowned Scotland, the Home of Golf banner with a strong regional spread of businesses from across the golf tourism, manufacturing and retail sectors.
Among the one million square feet of floor space and 10 miles of aisles, Scotland will look to stand out from the crowd thanks to key activity throughout the week. Key highlights of Scotland’s presence include the appearance of The Claret Jug and the Championship Belt to commemorate The Open returning in 2016 to Royal Troon and Ayrshire, the region known as The Birthplace of The Open thanks to Prestwick GC’s hosting of the first 12 championships. The appearance of the Claret Jug on the Scotland stand (booth #3473) follows the announcement that The Open was worth £140m to the Scottish economy, the biggest ever return for a golf event in the UK & Ireland.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to be among the first to “play” the newly redesigned Ailsa Course at the Trump Turnberry Resort, thanks to a state-of-the-art simulator featuring the 9th, 10th and 11th holes.
A newly created PGA of America Centennial Tartan will also be on display after it was gifted to the PGA of America to mark 100 years since the inception of the organisation and honour the role Scottish-born professional golfers played in its formation.
Elsewhere, Scotland’s stand partners bring a wealth of knowledge and experience across multiple facets of the golf industry and all are available for media interviews or discussions around anything from travel trends, event-related tourism or product-related enquiries.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “We are delighted to once again have such a strong Scottish presence at the world’s biggest golf industry gathering. Scotland is known throughout the world as the Home of Golf and that message resonates with golfers wherever we travel.
“The 15 different stand partners reflect the diversity of golf in Scotland and the hugely important role the industry plays in the country where it all began. Coming together as one team at the PGA Show is a strong message that Scotland is committed to continuing to play on the world stage when it comes to golf tourism and retail. We know that people are always interested in hearing more about golf in Scotland and with our excellent array of stand partners and exciting activity such as the Trump Turnberry simulator and appearance of the Claret Jug, we can be confident of another successful show in Orlando.”
Graeme White, head of tourism at Scottish Enterprise said: “Golf Tourism alone is worth around £230 million to Scotland’s economy every year, however the entire golf industry is worth much more, at over £1.2 billion to the Scottish economy. Which means there are significant opportunities to grow the tourism, equipment and service provider elements of Scotland’s golf industry further. This mix is demonstrated by the 15 companies and organisations comprising our stand partners this year. We believe this mix provides a richer, deeper golf offering to PGA Merchandise Show attendees.”
Scotland’s stand partners include:
Adventures in Golf: A Scottish golf tour operator since 1977, with offices in the UK and the US and a wide-range of experience creating customised itineraries for thousands of clients.
Bonnie Wee Golf: A Scottish tour operator specialising in exclusive golfing itineraries to every region of Scotland.
Bridge Golf Scotland: Specialising in custom-made golf bags, manufactured in Scotland with a customer base spanning five continents and 23 countries.
DP&L Golf: A Scottish golf tour service that can trace its roots back to 1826 and which specialises in the East and West Coast areas of Scotland.
Eden Mill Distillery: Scotland’s first single-site distillery, based on the outskirts of St Andrews. Launching a new line of Gin, including a Golf Gin, they are sure to be a popular stand partner.
Executive Golf & Leisure: A Scottish golf tour operator, established in 1987, specialising in luxury golf experiences across Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales and Europe.
Highland Golf Links: Formed in 2011, HGL is a partnership of three of Scotland’s most renowned links courses and three luxury hotels. Partners comprise Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn golf courses and Kingsmills Hotel, Culloden House Hotel and the Royal Golf Hotel.
The Leith Silver Company: Based in Scotland, the Leith Silver Company provides prestigious silverware for the golf market. Products are hand-crafted in Scotland and Scottish oak and the staves of whisky barrels feature heavily in the design and presentation of the silverware.
Links Golf St Andrews: For more than 30 years the company has been organising golf tours which include play on the finest courses in Scotland, England and Ireland, as well as packages to The Open and The Ryder Cup.
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts: With more than 40 hotels and 10 resorts, Macdonald Hotels and Resorts is the largest independent hotel group in the UK. Included in the portfolio are the world-famous Macdonald Rusacks at St Andrews and Macdonald Marine in North Berwick.
Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club: Opened in 2009, Machrihanish Dunes has been heralded as one of Scotland’s best links courses. The Village at Machrihanish Dunes also comprises The Ugadale Hotel and Cottages and The Royal Hotel in nearby Campbeltown.
Mairead Hume Harris Tweed Golf Collection: A luxury range of golf accessories handmade in Scotland from authentic Harris Tweed from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Currently working with Kingsbarns Golf Links, Castle Stuart, Trump Turnberry and St Andrews Links Golf Shops, the collection can also be seen on the bags of several ladies on the European Tour.
Meldrum House Country Hotel & Golf Course: Nestled in the heart of Aberdeenshire’s tranquil countryside, the charming 13th century baronial mansion house, 240 acre estate and golf course offers more than luxury. New for June 2016, 28 more contemporary bedrooms and a purpose-built banqueting suite.
Perry Golf: One of the leading providers of golf tours and cruises to the world’s most memorable destinations as well as packages to The Open and The Ryder Cup.
Recounter: Featured on the Golf Channel and described by Golf Monthly as the ultimate golf trip souvenir, Recounter are the go-to golf photographers for buddy-trips and PGA Professional escorted trips, which are captured for life in luxury hand-made in Scotland table-books.
Trump Turnberry: A luxury resort famous for its two championship courses and world-renowned hotel. An extensive 18-month refurbishment programme is now underway and the resort will re-launch on June 1st, 2016, when the redesigned Open Championship golf course, the Ailsa, will be available for play for the first time.
VisitScotland www.visitscotland.org