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Sports fans invited to the 'home of golf'
04/02/2009
First Minister Alex Salmond and Scottish golf star Sam Torrance today issued a clarion call to global golf fans to visit the 'Home of Golf' this year, and urged more golf clubs across the country to get involved in VisitScotland's successful 'Drive It Home' campaign.
On a visit to Dalmahoy golf course, the First Minister said that the initial campaign has the potential to attract more than 8,000 visitors to Scotland this year and announced there will be a second phase later in the year.
Golf is a key theme of Scotland's Year of Homecoming and 'Drive It Home' entices international golfers to Scotland with the offer of a free four-ball at one of 100 courses across the country. Phase one of the campaign has been a sell-out success with thousands of golfers from the USA, Canada, Sweden and the rest of the world registering for the giveaway.
Demand for the 2,200 free four-ball slots was such that golfers were registering for the scheme every five minutes, with all slots being claimed within one week.
To capitalise on the success of the sell-out scheme the First Minister is urging more of Scotland's 550 golf clubs to sign up and to get involved in phase two of Drive It Home, which will be launched in March.
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"Scotland is the undisputed 'Home of Golf' - we have the best courses in the world and facilities that are second to none.
"The Drive It Home campaign has proved a sell-out success with golfers around the world snapping up a four-ball for free at courses across the country and hopefully starting to plan and book their golf vacation in Scotland.
"Golf is a key theme of our Homecoming celebrations and Drive it Home has the potential to attract more than 8,000 international golfers to Scotland and create almost £15 million in additional income for the Scottish economy.
"Drive It Home offers a great opportunity to entice visitors to Scotland, boost the economy and to promote Scotland's position as the world's premier golf destination.
"I would urge more golf clubs to get involved in phase two of this campaign so we can offer global golf enthusiasts even more opportunities to fulfil their golfing dreams of playing at the Home of Golf."
Golf clubs wishing to participate in phase two of the campaign should contact driveithome@visitscotland.com
The Drive It Home promotion was developed by VisitScotland as its lead international golf promotion to support Homecoming Scotland 2009 and has the full endorsement of the Scottish Golf Union. It was launched in January 2009.
Phase one focused on Scotland's lead international golf markets - the US, Canada and Sweden. It will then be rolled out across all other international markets.
Scotland's Homecoming celebrations will run from Burns Night (January 25) to St Andrew's Day (November 30) 2009, across the country.