As expected, Aberdeen Asset Management PLC will now sponsor this year’s Scottish Open at Castle Stuart and it will mean the company is now the major backer of both Scotland’s premier men and ladies tournaments.
The annoucement was made in the historic Queen Anne room at Edinburgh Castle by European Tour CEO, George O’Grady who was joined by Scotland First Minister, Alex Salmond MSDP, Aberdeen Asset Management CEO, Martin Gilbert and former Open champion, Paul Lawrie.
Paul Lawrie, Martin Gilbert (CEO, Aberdeen Asset Management), Alex Salmond (Scotland First Minister) and George O'Grady (European Tour CEO) at the annoucement today in Edinburgh. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Aberdeen Asset Management has signed a three year deal with the Scottish Government also adding funding to ensure the tournament continues to bring economic and sporting benefits to the whole of Scotland and helps nurture the next generation of golfing talent by linking the event to a programme of junior golf activities.
The prize fund for the 2012 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be £2.5 million rising to a minimum of £3 million for the 2013 and 2014 tournaments.
The first tournament under the new title of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be played this summer at Castle Stuart Golf Links near Inverness from July 12-15, with the three year agreement seeing the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open also take its place on The European Tour International Schedule in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
And the agreement with Castle Stuart is a three year one, split into two guaranteed years with an option to continue for a third year, and therefore no decision will be taken about the venue for 2013 or 2014 until the conclusion of this year’s event.
O’Grady said: “We are delighted to welcome Aberdeen Asset Management, an eminent global company based in Scotland, as title sponsor of the Scottish Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule which, this year, will once again be played on the spectacular links layout at Castle Stuart.
“We are also extremely pleased to welcome Scottish Government support. This commitment is another example of Scotland’s strong backing for European Tour events, and is part of the strong partnership that has developed in the build-up to The 2014 Ryder Cup.”
The announcement boosts Aberdeen Asset Management’s existing golf portfolio which currently includes the sponsorship of European Tour members Martin Laird and Paul Lawrie and leading female professional Catriona Matthew in addition to the backing of the Scottish Men’s and Ladies amateur golf teams.
Gilbert said: “We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. As a loyal supporter of Scottish golf for nearly 15 years, we are proud to be involved in sponsoring this globally recognised tournament.”
Supporting the announcement, Alex Salmond said: “The Scottish Open is one of the flagship events on The European Tour as well as a jewel in the crown of the Scottish sporting calendar that attracts keen interest from golf fans across the world.
“I am therefore delighted to announce that Scottish Government funding, alongside major sponsorship from Aberdeen Asset Management, has helped secure the future of this prestigious tournament for Scotland.
“This fantastic event brings significant benefits to the whole of Scotland, both in terms of tourism revenue and the priceless television exposure around the world to golfers and others interested in travelling to our shores. Last year’s tournament alone was worth more than £5m to the Scottish economy.
“Not only will today’s announcement ensure these benefits continue, but our agreement to link the tournament to a programme of junior golf events and our innovative ClubGolf programme will also help our efforts to drive participation in the sport and unearth the next generation of Scottish golfing stars.
“Scotland is already recognised worldwide as the Home of Golf, and with The Ryder Cup set to be played at Gleneagles in 2014 as well as the new commitment to the iconic Scottish Open announced today, everyone in this country can look forward to a bright future for Scottish golf.”
