Scottish Golf Tournament is 50 Shades of Green

Some of the world’s biggest celebrities flocked to Scotland over the weekend to sample an array of brilliant culinary experiences, warm Scottish hospitality, and of course, incredible sport in the country universally known as “The Home of Golf”.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which kicked off on Thursday the 1^st of October, is a golf tournament unlike any other.Pairing big names from the world of showbiz and sport with a collection of the sport’s leading golfers,the championship is played over three of the best known and respected links courses – the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie in Angus, and the highly regarded Kingsbarns Golf Links, Fife.

This year sees a fantastic turnout of celebrity golfers including internationally renowned actors Jamie Dornan, Hugh Grant, and Andy Garcia along with popstar Ronan Keating, Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave, sports stars Johan Cruyff, Alessandro del Piero, Ruud Gullit and Kevin Pietersen , and US rocker Huey Lewis.

When Jamie Dornan was asked about why he chooses to come to Scotland, the 50 Shades of Gray star commented:

“Just come and visit, it is beautiful Scotland. It’s a beautiful part of the world with really nice people; very warm and welcoming.”

“I’ve spent a lot of time in Scotland. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Glasgow and Edinburgh over the years. The Scottish people know how to have fun, it’s a beautiful part of the world, and they take their golf seriously. It’s a great setting for golf. I keep coming back here.”

The Dunhill Links Championship attracts the celebrity elite but golf has long been associated with luxury and loved by the rich and famous. Scotland offers the best golf in the world and visitors to Scotland can enjoy the same golf courses and elegant surroundings which global celebrities flock to regularly. Here are VisitScotland’s top golf resorts for those who want to holiday like the stars!

Cameron House

Set on the famous Loch Lomond with a stunning highland backdrop is the Cameron House Carrick golf course. Not only is the course one of exceptional beauty but the five-star resort offers unparalleled luxury, featuring an award-winning spa and a fine dining restaurant headed by Michelin starred Chef Martin Wishart. The rare quality of Cameron House has attracted a string of celebrity guests over the years, including Clint Eastwood, Robbie Williams, Michael Jackson, Sir Sean Connery, Cher and Luciano Pavarotti. Sir Alex Ferguson is an also honorary member of the golf club.

Trump Turnberry golf resort

Part of the Luxury Collection the Trump Turnberry Resort offers 3 golf courses located on the beautiful Ayrshire coast. This exceptionally scenic resort has hosted a number of well-known figures including Bill Clinton, Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas. The stunning coastal view can be enjoyed after a long day on the course from the resort’s fine dining 1906 Restaurant.

Gleneagles

No list of star-studded golf courses would be complete without the world-renowned Gleneagles. Only last year Gleneagles hosted the Ryder Cup and the global talent of the golf community that came with it. Over the years the luxury five-star resort has been a magnet for golf lovers everywhere. To name just a few, Johnny Miller and Tom Watson played golf there, as did Bing Crosby and Burt Lancaster. For those who prefer a touch of luxury rather than a round of golf, there are a range of activities on offer including off-road driving, falconry, clay pigeon shooting and the ESPA spa. Gleneagles is a resort that’s fit for royalty, in fact the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate stayed there in 2014.

The Old Course at St Andrew's

The Old Course at St. Andrew’s forms part of Dunhill Links which has hosted Bill Murray, Damian Lewis and Samuel L. Jackson in recent years. Played on by A-list celebrities including Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas, The Old Course is truly the home of golf and has been the inspiration for many other golf courses in the world today. Golfers coming here can stay at the Old Course Hotel, a five-star establishment overlooking the golf courses. The hotel features an elegant spa, a range of excellent restaurants and bars, including the Road Hole Bar, offering a selection of whiskies from over 200 distilleries.

Carnoustie Golf Hotel

Having hosted Tiger Woods, Bill Murray, Greg Kinnear, Sir Ian Botham and Jamie Redknapp, the Carnoustie golf resort is established as a firm favourite in the celebrity golfing community. The Championship Golf Course is recognised as one of the top three courses in the UK and hosted the 1999 and 2007 Open. The Carnoustie Golf Hotel overlooks the Championship course and boasts 75 luxury rooms, a spa and the award-winning Dalhousie Restaurant which serves local Scottish produce.
 

ENDS

Spokespeople, images and recipes available upon request

For more information on holidays in Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com and use #TasteScotland on social media.