Golf courses in global campaign

Golf courses in East Lothian are to be promoted in a global campaign featuring former Ryder Cup golfer Andrew Coltart.

Gullane and North Berwick golf courses, and the Macdonald Marine Hotel and Spa, will partner VisitScotland by offering fans the chance to play on the links courses before competing in a Ryder Cup-style competition on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, where the stars will battle it out at the 2014 Ryder Cup.

The promotion will target golfing markets, including the UK, Sweden, Germany and North America.

Coltart, who played in the 1999 European Ryder Cup team, said: “The Drive it Home campaign highlights the breadth of quality Scotland has become synonymous with. I wish all those entering the very best of luck.

“It’s an exciting time to be involved in golf and the jewel in the crown will undoubtedly be the 2014 Ryder Cup.”

Golf is worth around £220 million to the Scottish economy and supports some 4400 jobs.

It is a lucrative market, with golfers spending twice that of other visitors to Scotland. Recent research shows that for every £1 spent on a green fee, a further £5 is spent elsewhere in the Scottish economy.

Manuela Calchini, VisitScotland’s regional director, said: “This is an excellent opportunity to showcase East Lothian.”