Martin Dempster: Gleneagles may have been part of European Tour’s UK Swing return

But Scotland still set for some big events later in the year

Gleaneagles would have been an ideal venue. Picture: Getty.

Ten events have already been announced and that total could rise to as many as 24. If so, Keith Pelley and his team will have done a truly remarkable job in salvaging the 2020 European Tour season.

The plan to retart the circuit with a six-event UK Swing in July makes total sense, limiting travel to a three-hour drive for players, caddies and support staff for tournaments at Close House, Forest of Arden, Hanbury Manor, two at Celtic Manor and The Belfry.

To get the circuit up and running again, the tour is having to create a “bubble” and the carefully-planned swing in England and Wales is seen as the safest option, even though the events are aimed at including card holders from outwith the UK.

I believe Gleneagles had also been sounded out for an event as part of the restart as it fitted the bill in terms of the tour looking for venues with hotels on site, allowing everyone in that “bubble” to accommodate everyone involved.

That would have been great, especially on the back of a successful Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup at the Gleneagles venue in recent years, but, for reasons unknown, it didn’t materialise.

Not that Scotland is missing out. Far from it, in fact. It’s fantastic that the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open has been rescheduled for October and, though still to be confirmed, it seems likely to be preceded by the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Add in another double-header, the Aberdeen Standard Ladies Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s British Open at The Renaissance Club and Royal Troon respectively, and some exciting golf still lies ahead here in the 
second half of this year.

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