Golf fans should look out for VisitScotland’s biggest ever golf giveaway, offering £2.4million worth of free golf tee times to consumers across the globe to play in Scotland during 2009. The campaign celebrates the Home of Golf as part of Homecoming Scotland 2009, a year long programme of events and festivals to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns of Auld Lang Sygn fame.
From 21st January 2009, golfers can register on www.driveithome2009.com to claim their free four ball, where they could see themselves and three of their friends playing on a selection of Scotland’s 550 courses, from the world famous Old Course at St Andrew’s to one of the many hidden gems such as Craigielaw in East Lothian.
Not only are VisitScotland giving away free tee times but there will also be wealth of information to ensure that each participant and their buddies can take the opportunity to explore other courses and things to do in the area, with access to exclusive Homecoming travel deals and golf packages.
Not without reason is Scotland known as the Home of Golf. Having pioneered the game from as early as the 15 century and with more than 550 courses to choose from, enthusiasts are spoiled for choice. From the iconic Old Course at St Andrews and the coastal links of Aberdeenshire, Morayshire, Ayr, Argyll and East Lothian, to the inland challenges of Gleneagles and Loch Lomond, Scotland’s golf courses are genuinely exciting to play. Homecoming Scotland in 2009 honours Scotland as the birthplace of golf, so what better time to come and be part of the celebrations.
Top Ten facts that make Scotland the home of golf…
1. Musselburgh Links can claim to be the original home of golf as the game is recorded as being played here as early as 1672
2. The rules of golf were first drawn up and played at Edinburgh’s Leith Links in 1744.
3. Scotland has more golf courses per head of population than any other country in the world.
4. Scotland’s Castle & Whisky Country has over 52 golf courses, one for each week of the year.
5. The Scottish golfing season runs from the beginning of April to mid-October, but many links courses can be played throughout the year. Daylight, especially in mid-summer, continues until 10:00 PM.
6. Musselburgh held the world’s first golf tournament for women on New Year’s Day 1811.
7. In 1860 the 1st Open Championship was held at Prestwick and the first winner was Willie Park with a score of 174.
8. The first known tee to penetrate the ground was the “Perfectum” tee, for which a British patent was granted to P Ellis, a Scot, in 1892. It consisted of a rubber circle, with a metal spike to push into the ground.
9. Situated overlooking the Old Course, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews holds a unique position in the world game. Established in 1754 as a small private society it has evolved as a leading authority in the world game. www.randa.org
10. The word ‘golf’ may have come from the old Scots verb ‘to gowff’ meaning to strike hard.
ENDS/
Notes to editors
How will Drive It Home work?
From 1st January 2009, golfers will be able to claim their free four ball by entering on line. They will receive an email with the date and time of their free round, also prompting them to refer three golf buddies they would like to bring with them. Participants must reply to this email to make a provisional booking which is held for three months. After which, they will then receive an email nearer the time to confirm that they are planning to come to Scotland to redeem their free four ball. All claimants (of free four-balls) receive VisitScotland’s quarterly Home of Golf e-newsletter which provides further reasons to book Scotland and links to airline and travel trade partners
Golf Events during HS09
A Whole in One Golf Exhibition – July – South Ayrshire
This exhibition will be staged to coincide with the Open Golf Championship played at Turnberry in South Ayrshire in July 2009.
The Open Championship 16th – 18th July – Turnberry
Scotland is recognised as the birthplace of Golf and The Open Championship will provide one of the focal points for the year of Homecoming in 2009.
Johnnie Walker Championship – August – Gleneagles
The Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles is one of the most exciting sporting events held in Scotland. Played over the PGA Centenary Course.
Homecoming Scotland www.homecomingscotland.com
Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrates the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth with a year-long programme of events across the country. We’re also celebrating some of Scotland’s great contributions to the world: golf, whisky, great minds and innovations and Scotland’s rich culture and heritage. Homecoming Scotland is a spectacular calendar of events will mark Scotland’s first ever Homecoming year. So, whether you’re a Scot, of Scottish descent, or simply love Scotland, you’re invited!
Homecoming Scotland 2009 is a Government initiative managed in partnership by EventScotland and VisitScotland and part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
For press information on Homecoming Scotland including images and itineraries, please visit www.homecomingscotland.com/toolkit
Contact:
Dove Jones, GOLF INK, LLC,
DoveJ77@aol.com, 843-817-8708
