Musselburgh tees off golf tourism drive

THE biggest ever golf promotion by Scotland's national tourism agency has been launched at a Lothians course.

The Old Course at Musselburgh Links – the world's oldest golf course – hosted the launch of the Drive It Home campaign yesterday. It targets Scottish and UK golfers as well as international audiences.

This year's push runs until the end of April and offers visitors the opportunity to win more than 250 free tee times throughout Scotland. There's also the chance to play golf with Sam Torrance and win a trip to The Open and play the Old Course at St Andrews.

Philip Riddle, VisitScotland chief executive, said: "We sell Scotland to the world, bringing millions of visitors and billions of pounds to the economy. Drive It Home encourages Scottish golf courses and local businesses to work together and cross-sell an ethos which, particularly in the current climate, will help the industry achieve its full potential."

Sam Torrance, VisitScotland's golf ambassador, said: "The Drive It Home promotion is the perfect reason for both international and UK golfers to visit the Home of Golf in 2010.

"We have the best courses in the world and facilities that are second to none, and will again be firmly on the golfing map this year with the 150th anniversary of The Open."