Press release -
World-famous Ryder Cup Trophy makes a dramatic arrival in Argyll!
The world-famous Ryder Cup Trophy made a dramatic arrival in Argyll today as part of the Official Trophy Tour, which is being delivered by VisitScotland and Ryder Cup Europe.
Travelling by helicopter, the tour will visit the ‘four corners of Scotland’, and this morning landed at the award-winning Machrihanish Dunes.
Machrihanish Dunes, part of the ClubGolf junior initiative, was chosen as it is Golf Environment Certified and extremely proactive in promoting Scottish tourism.
The 2014 Ryder Cup is already leaving a legacy benefit to Scotland in the ClubGolf junior golf initiative, which was a commitment made by Scotland as part of the 2001 bid - almost 300,000 school children have been introduced to golf through the scheme since 2003.
The week-long tour will take in some of the nation’s most spectacular scenery at the most Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western courses participating in the ClubGolf programme, before arriving at Gleneagles, host of The 2014 Ryder Cup, on Wednesday 10th September. The wider legacy of The 2014 Ryder Cup is also important with participating courses also being chosen for their tourism and environmental connections.
At each of the tour’s location, members of the public will have the opportunity to see and have their picture taken next to The Ryder Cup Trophy. The experience can be shared online with the hashtag #rydercuptrophytour.
David
Adams McGilp, Regional Director at VisitScotland and Jimmy Kidd,
former Head Greenkeeper at Gleneagles, welcomed the trophy to Argyll.
David Adams McGilp, Regional Director at VisitScotland said:
“It was an absolute pleasure and honour to welcome one of the world’s most recognised sporting trophies to Argyll and Machrihanish Dunes, no doubt one of the most spectacular golf courses in Scotland. As we prepare to host The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, the legacy and economic benefits are set to be felt right across Scotland, not just in the accommodation sector but also travel and transport, Scottish food and drink suppliers, attractions and a wide range of businesses throughout the industry.
While representing the various legacy benefits associated with hosting The Ryder Cup in Scotland, including junior golf, golf tourism, golf events and Green Drive, The Ryder Cup Trophy brings with it a real sense of excitement, drama and prestige. This is Scotland’s year, our chance to secure a legacy and showcase Scotland as the Home of Golf.”
Richard Hills, Europe’s Ryder Cup Director said:
“The Official Trophy Tour is a great way to show how The Ryder Cup is making an impact across Scotland and to offer the opportunity to fans and the public across the country to see the iconic Ryder Cup trophy up close. The tour underlines the legacy of the event, from ClubGolf and encouraging more young people to take up a fantastic sport to the spotlight of the world focusing on Scottish golf.”
David Southworth, President and CEO at Southworth Development said:
“We were hugely excited to have the Ryder Cup trophy visit Machrihanish Dunes and Campbeltown to celebrate the iconic tournament being in Scotland.”
With golf fever set to hit the country for The Ryder Cup this September, many Scottish golf clubs, tour operators and accommodation providers have reported an increase in bookings across 2014. New feedback from VisitScotland’s industry partners has shown that pre-booked tee times, advanced bookings for golf and sightseeing tours, and advanced hotel bookings have grown significantly in comparison with 2013. For more information see - http://mediacentre.visitscotland.org/pressreleases/driving-home-bookings-1043923
Since 2003, VisitScotland, the lead agency delivering Scotland’s commitments around The Ryder Cup, has attended and marketed Scotland as the Home of Golf at more than 50 international events. An upweighted global golf marketing programme, incorporating VisitScotland’s ‘Brilliant Moments’ campaign will also shine the spotlight on the country’s golf courses to help attract more visitors to our fairways.
Gleneagles will host The Ryder Cup on September 23 – 28, 2014 and there are still Practice Day tickets still available to purchase here: http://www.rydercup.com/europe/tickets
On the 24 September, The SSE Hydro will host the Ryder Cup Gala Concert, a showpiece event boasting top music acts, a full orchestra and Scotland’s major arts bodies to create one of the most exciting shows ever to be held in Scotland. The European and USA Ryder Cup teams will be joined by artists such as Jake Bugg, Nina Nesbitt, Texas, Amy Macdonald, Twin Atlantic and Nile Rodgers.
Tickets for the concert are on sale now and available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk, www.ticketsoup.com or by calling 08444 999 990 or 0844 395 4000
The Ryder Cup Trophy will visit the following locations:
- 4th September, Edinburgh Omni Centre, 10am to 7pm
- 7th September, Roxburghe Golf Club, Scottish Borders, the location of the first legacy events for The 2014 Ryder Cup, the Scottish Seniors Open in 2003, 10am to 12pm
- 7th September, St Medan Golf Club, Dumfries & Galloway, the most Southerly ClubGolf participant, 12.30pm to 4pm
- 8th September, Machrihanish Dunes, Argyll, Golf Environment Certified and extremely proactive in promoting Scottish tourism, 9.15am to 11:30am
- 8th September, Isle of Harris Golf Club, first ClubGolf programme in The Western Isles, 12.45pm to 4pm
- 9th September, Whalsay Golf Club, Shetland, Most Northerly and Easterly ClubGolf programme in Scotland, 9.45am to 11.30pm
- 9th September, Braemar Golf Club, Aberdeenshire, the highest golf club in the UK, 1.15pm to 4pm
- 10th September, Gleneagles Hotel, host of The 2014 Ryder Cup
ENDS
For further information contact:
|
Jack Gorman Corporate Press Officer Tel: 0131 472 2283 jack.gorman@visitscotland.com Out of hours media enquiries: 07699 766986 |
Martin Allen, Rory McDonald
Grayling (on behalf of Ryder Cup Europe)
Tel: 0131 260 2363
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- ryder cup
- corporate communications
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors:
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
- The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
- For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx
