The north-east of Scotland is primed to attract visitors from across the world as part of a new focus on promoting the region as a golf destination to a global audience.
Golf Aberdeen City and Shire, the regional golf development group for the area, is part of a network established in Scotland to build on the country’s reputation as the Home of Golf. Among the new courses added to the portfolio of great golf lately, Trump International (13th hole pictured above, photo by Brian Morgan) might be the most renowned.
Peter Medley, chairman of Golf Aberdeen City and Shire, confirms that the interest in the north-east as a destination for golfers is truly global, with China a very strong emerging market.
“Closer to home, Germany and Scandinavia are other prominent opportunities and we also cannot underestimate the attraction our courses hold to visitors from other parts of Britain,” Medley says.
Golf Aberdeen City and Shire is targeting an increase in annual spending generated by visitors to the region from £20million to £50m by 2020.
HIGH DUNES: Cruden Bay Golf Club just north of Aberdeen is one of the best true links courses in Britain. It is protected from the wind on some holes, and exposed to the wind on others. Here the 16th. Photo: David J. Whyte
Golf valuable to the economy
Project Manager Hector Emslie added: “Golf tourism is already incredibly valuable to the economy of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Golf Aberdeen City and Shire has a remit to use that existing interest as a platform and to reach new audiences with what is a very positive story.
“There is a fantastic golf heritage throughout the north-east, both in terms of the wonderful historic courses in the area and in the many talented players the region has produced. As an organisation we are proud of the past and enthusiastic about the future – with a number of superb new courses in recent years adding to the attraction.”
Paul Lawrie, Open champion and Ryder Cup winner, is among the prominent Aberdonians supporting the north-east. The European Tour star said: “As a native of the north-east of Scotland I admit to being biased – but I truly believe that we have some of the world’s finest and most memorable golf courses which, played once, just have to be played again and again.”
Read More: www.golfaberdeen.com
