Newly-appointed Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley was today welcomed to Scotland before heading to Gleneagles and the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup.
McGinley travelled to Edinburgh and Bute House in the very centre of the Scottish capital where he was welcomed Scotland First Minister, Alex Salmond along with his Sports Minister and Tourism Minister.
Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond welcomes Paul McGinley to Scotland. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
Salmond presented McGinley with a specially commisssioned 1880 replica of a St. Andrews Golf Company putter.
“The First Minister is a lover of golf so it makes it very easy, even though it’s an official visit and when the First Minister is so keen on golf it makes it dead easy,” said McGinley smiling.
“We had the Minister for Sport and the Minister for Tourism there as well, who have obviously they have been very instrumental in what’s going to happen over the next 18 months, as well.
“So in terms of the Ryder Cup the three most important political figures in Scotland were in same room together and that was nice.
“He was good and we had a really nice chat this morning.”
McGinley had spent last weekend back home in Ireland attending a gala fund-raising dinner hosted by good friend and former European Tour colleague, Des Smyth.
It was also McGinley’s first visit to Ireland since his appointment and he’s still coming to grips with the outpouring of support since his Gleneagles appointment and it was the same today when he entered the foyer of the Gleneagles Hotel after being conveyed from Edinburgh in specially marked European Ryder Cup BMWs.
“This visit exciting and that sounds a bland word but it is very exciting to be coming here as Ryder Cup captain,” he said.
“It’s the first time I’ve driven into Gleneagles when it hasn’t had the stands up around the place so coming here now as Ryder Cup Captain is a huge moment in my career.
“This now, irrespective of what the result will be, will be a place that is synonmous with me for the rest of my life. Just as The Belfry has become in terms of me holing that winning putt in 2002 so will Gleneagles and I can feel that sense of connection between me and here forever more.
“I think my life has changed already. There is no doubt that my profile and the level of interest that people have in me has escalated quite significantly.
“That’s all part of the job, I understood that was going to happen but it has still taken me aback how grand the scale of it.”
While at Gleneagles McGinley intends inspecting team accommodation within the hotel, intended practice range facilities along with corporate enclosures and inspecting the PGA Centenary course.
However McGinley is no stranger to Gleneagles have competed on the PGA Centenary Course having contested the Johnnie Walker Championship on eight occasions since 2003.
Scotland’s First Minster, The Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond MSP (second from right) welcomes European Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley at his Bute House residence ahead of Paul’s first official visit to Gleneagles, the venue of The 2014 Ryder Cup. The meeting was also attended by Shona Robison, Commonwealth Games and Sport Minster, Dr Mike Cantlay, Chairman Event Scotland (far right), Richard Hills, Ryder Cup Director (far left). (Picture Stuart Adams www.golftourimages.com)
