VisitScotland Chairman in 108 Hole Golfing Marathon

Keen golfer Mike Cantlay will be joined by two friends, Ken Milligan and his son Harry from local school McLaren High, in a gruelling 108 hole marathon of Callander golf course, on the 1^st July.

The feat will eclipse the mere 72 holes pros play during an entire golf tournament by completing the challenge in just one day.

The trio plan to tee off at 4.30am before holing the last putt sometime after 10pm. To keep things interesting, the group will play six different rounds throughout the day off the standard tees, the competition tees and also playing a round with just three clubs and a putter.

Mike commented:

“This is an extraordinary period for Scottish golf with events like the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in Inverness and The Open Championship at Muirfield this Summer, and of course the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles next year.  These events offer huge opportunities to all sorts of businesses, from hotels, guest houses and B&Bs to coach companies, shops and restaurants.

“Bill Clinton visited Scotland last week and like so many international visitors made sure he managed to fit in a round of golf during his stay.  VisitScotland and industry partners are working hard to ensure that golf clubs across Scotland benefit from the world’s focus being on Scottish Golf.

“That said, Scotland has more golf courses per head of population than any country in the world and this tough economic climate has affected the golf industry like many others. In many instances club membership has dipped and finances have been challenging.  Industry leaders from the Scottish Golf Union, PGA, The R&A and the European Tour have all been looking at ways to ensure that golf at every level benefits from Scotland’s success in attracting tournaments.

“For me, surely in these times of austerity, Scottish golf provides the perfect antidote.  Scottish Golf is accessible and remarkably affordable compared to the rest of the world. It’s the ideal way to escape from the challenges of the global economy and get some fun and relaxation.  So my hope is that every Scot who can wield a club gets out to enjoy Scottish Golf this Summer, and in doing so support our fantastic golf clubs.

“Callander is my local Golf Club and like so many is very much part of the community, taking part in the ClubGolf initiative for our young folk at Callander Primary and providing a service for golf parties and visitors. It’s the course on which I learned to play the game that brings me so much pleasure and so I’m delighted to take some time off to raise a little extra money for their funds. It’ll be great fun, and once the sun goes down there will no doubt be a short visit to the 19^th hole to reflect on a fabulous day’s Scottish Golf.

Golf tourism is currently worth £220m to the Scottish economy. For every £1 spent on green fees an additional £5 is spent on extras such as hotel, restaurants and retail.

It is anticipated that the Ryder Cup will generate as much as £100m during the week of competition as well as tens of millions in worldwide media exposure.

The fundraising challenge will see Mike, Harry and Ken complete 6 rounds of golf in one day and all funds raised will go to Callander Golf Club. The course was originally created in 1890 but was moved two years later to a location more viable to visiting golfers. The current 18 hole format was opened in 1914 and has since changed from a par 72 to 66.  The course is 5200 yards off the medal tees.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

James Lakie
Corporate Press Officer
Corporate Communications
VisitScotland
Tel: 0131 472 2283
Email: jame.lakie@visitscotland.com