Gleneagles team gets the ball rolling

AS JOSE Maria Olazábal prepares to name his line-up for the forthcoming Ryder Cup, the team running Gleneagles hotel are working on their own plans to host one of the world’s biggest sporting tournaments when it comes to Scotland in two years time.

The three-day event in 2014 will draw a worldwide television audience of 600 million, putting Scotland on a global stage and bringing an estimated £100 million boost to the economy.

Officials from the European Tour were at the Perthshire venue last week to meet key partners and to set the ball rolling on the next stage of delivering one of golf’s main attractions in what will be a big year for Scotland. The Homecoming and Commonwealth Games will also take place, as will celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary of Bannockburn, and the referendum on independence.

“It will be quite a year for Scotland,” says Richard Hills, Ryder Cup director, “Scotland was keen to host the event and it is good to see it coming here as the home of golf.”

European Tour officials have signed up BMW, Diageo and Rolex as sponsors and are working closely with organisers of the Commonwealth Games to ensure they can both benefit from the exposure that Scotland will enjoy from the series of events.

Gleneagles alone expects 250,000 visitors over the three days. An army of volunteers will be employed, adding an Olympic-style community spirit to the event. A procurement process for contract suppliers will kick in shortly, providing opportunities for local businesses.

Millions have been spent on improving infrastructure, including an upgrade of the Gleneagles rail station and £20m by the hotel, though this includes other planned spending. The championship course has undergone improvements, notably to the 18th hole and to installing a drainage system that will cope with the heaviest of downpours.

Organisers are unable to break down the claims of a £100m boost to the economy, but Wales enjoyed a £54m direct benefit when the tournament was staged at Celtic Manor in 2010. This accounts for money spent in hotels, restaurants, car hire. Wider benefits, including spin-off work, take the total to £82.4m.

There was some seepage because some of those involved, including spectators, travelled in and out of England. Gleneagles is expected to produce a bigger economic spin-off for Scotland because more of those involved will be staying locally.

Marketing campaigns are now being formulated and one likely inclusion is a celebrity ambassador. They are monitoring the success of film and pop star Justin Timberlake who is undertaking that role for the Medinah, Illinois, event that takes place next month. Names mentioned for the Gleneagles tournament include Sir Sean Connery and Hugh Grant.

Bernard Murphy, general manager at Gleneagles, says that although the tournament is two years away there is a growing sense of anticipation.

“We expect to get more of an uplift when the next one is over. Already more of our visitors want to play the Ryder Cup course.”