Initiative launched to prolong Ryder Cup legacy

Gleneagles Centenary Course - Ryder Cup 2014. Picture Neil Hanna

The new Scottish Golf ‘Club Toolkit’ campaign which will encourage clubs to build on the impact of the 2014 Ryder Cup through access to tickets for the event.

Making the announcement at Bathgate Golf Club, the Scottish Golf Union (SGU), Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA) and ClubGolf, in association with tourism agency VisitScotland, revealed that the country’s near 600 golf clubs would be given the opportunity to receive at least two tickets for The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September, to be used in developing the game at local level.

The ‘Ryder Cup Ready’ toolkit provides clubs and ClubGolf facilities with a guide featuring ideas on how to maximise the countdown to Scotland’s first Ryder Cup in 41 years, including building junior membership, retaining members, generating more clubhouse revenue, attracting new golfers and increasing visitor numbers. The Ryder Cup’s official broadcaster, Sky Sports, is also backing the club activity, through a special ‘6 months for the price of 4’ subscription offer and the chance to become one of Sky Sports’ ‘Ultimate Venues’ during the week of the event.

Clubs will be invited to apply for the tickets, which have been awarded by The Scottish Government as part of Scotland’s host nation allocation, based on running Ryder Cup themed activity in the run up to the event in late September and successful clubs will be rewarded with two tickets for match days and up to eight practice day tickets.

Sam Torrance, who will be a key member of Paul McGinley’s backroom team at Gleneagles, welcomed the initiative: “The Ryder Cup Ready Club Toolkit is a great idea, as there’s no better time for clubs to showcase themselves amid the buzz of The Ryder Cup.

“It’s fantastic to see such as large proportion of tickets going to clubs across Scotland, giving the chance for club members to be part of what will be an amazing home crowd at Gleneagles.

“The practice days are also a fantastic spectacle and I’m sure those youngsters and volunteers attending will savour the experience and inspire them to stay involved in the game of golf with the chance to see the world’s best players in action.”

Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, said: “With The Ryder Cup on the horizon, there has never been a better time for golf clubs across Scotland to raise their ambitions, increase their membership and make new offers to local communities and to visitors.

“The Scottish Government is backing this toolkit with Ryder Cup tickets to encourage clubs to capitalise on this great opportunity, leaving a lasting legacy from the Ryder Cup of vibrant clubs and more people enjoying golf.”

Tickets

A total of 3,000 tickets will be provided to Scottish Golf from the Scottish Government’s Host Nation allocation, with 2,000 tickets being given to ClubGolf and 1,000 tickets awarded to the SGU and SLGA. Each club will be invited to apply for tickets via the Scottish Golf Union and ClubGolf websites.

Four clubs across Scotland will be awarded the title of Sky Sports Ultimate Venue, each winning a 3D TV and a visit from The Ryder Cup trophy to their club for a day. These clubs will be selected based on running the most successful Ryder Cup themed activity during the summer.