Development chief accuses clubs of hindering strategy to attract golfing tourists

Alison Gray, Consumer Affairs, The Scotsman, 23 October 2000

The woman appointed to develop Scotland’s golf tourism yesterday criticised some clubs for hindering the success of the government’s new strategy.

Susan Grant, whose position is funded jointly by the STB, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said that while most clubs were enthusiastic about the strategy which was launched by Henry McLeish, the minister for lifelong learning and tourism, there were those clubs which had shown a definite lack of commitment. Ms Grant, whose main role is to promote the work of golf development groups at a regional level, said that she had encountered a lack of interest.

She said: “There are some clubs which have full memberships and do not think that there is much point in becoming involved with the strategy.

“However while those clubs might be full at the weekends, there could be spaces between Monday and Friday for visitors to play.”

The STB wants all of Scotland’s 542 golf clubs to become involved in the strategy in an effort to boost Scotland’s reputation as a whole.

Ms Grant said: “Everyone knows that Scotland is the home of golf, but we have been resting on our laurels for too long. We need to have a higher profile around the world and there is a lot of goodwill out there in the country to help us to achieve that.”

In July, Colin Montgomerie, joined Mr McLeish at the official launch of the £500,000 marketing strategy which is designed to bring more golfers to play in Scotland.

Much of the strategy is devoted to bringing the industry up to a high standard so that the service at every club in the country will be of the same quality and visitors will receive a warm welcome.

Ms Grant said: “In some clubs, for example, there are shower facilities for the members, but not for the visitors. We want to ensure that the visitors’ facilities are just as good as those on offer to the members.