The stunning nine-hole Isle of Harris Golf Club played host to the Ryder Cup Trophy ahead of competition taking place later this month at Gleneagles.
The Isle of Harris Golf Club was the very first club in the Western Isles to take part in the ClubGolf junior initiative.
www.golfbytourmiss.com enjoyed visiting the Club last year and here is the link to our review of the course:-
http://www.golfbytourmiss.com/2013/09/isle-of-harris-golf-club-home-to-golfs-most-expensive-item-of-apparel/
And on our visit to the club that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean we had the pleasure of being shown around the course by Huge MacLean and with Hugh naturally delighted on the Ryder Cup coming to the Isle of Harris Golf Club.
Hugh MacLean, former club captain at Isle of Harris Golf Club said:
“We are absolutely delighted and honoured to welcome this hugely famous trophy to the Isle of Harris Golf Club.”
The 2014 Ryder Cup is already leaving a legacy benefit to Scotland via 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 Ryder Cup visits the Isle of Harris Golf Club.
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.
Alan MacKenzie, Island Manager at VisitScotland and Bryce Weir, previous club vice-captain and committee member, welcomed the trophy to Harris.
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.”
Alan MacKenzie, Island Manager at VisitScotland said:
“It is an absolute pleasure and honour to welcome one of the world’s most recognised sporting trophies to Harris and The Isle of Harris Golf Club, one of the finest settings in the world for a round of golf. 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.”
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
Local Isle of Harris school children welcome the arrival of the Ryder Cup.
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
