Scotland’s Ryder Cup campaign gets cash boost

Mike Aitken, The Scotsman, 8 February 2001

As the organisers of Scotland’s Ryder Cup bid yesterday delivered tangible evidence of support by pouring £750,000 into professional tournaments over the next 12 months, it emerged that the home of golf is preparing to deliver a bonanza. Events worth nearly £7million in prizes this year and up to £10million in 2002, when the Open Championship returns to Muirfield, will focus attention on Scottish golf.

With the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns offering £3.5 million in October, the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond expected to reach £2.1 million in July, the Scottish PGA at Gleneagles due an increase to £600,000 in August and the £150,000 Scottish Seniors to be held at a venue to be announced, Scotland has become one of the most rewarding parts of Europe for players. Two women’s tournaments are also in the pipeline.

First Minister Henry McLeish described the £750,000 joint investment by the Scottish Executive and Bank of Scotland as "great news for Scottish golf and Scotland’s Ryder Cup bid". It will be split between Loch Lomond, the Scottish PGA and Scottish Seniors, and it is understood more finance will be made available for the women’s game.

Mr McLeish met Sandy Jones, PGA chief executive, for the first time last night, and delivered an upbeat message on the bid prior to next week’s meeting of the Ryder Cup committee: Wales and the North-east of England are also candidates.

"As a government we are absolutely committed to doing everything possible to make sure the 2009 Ryder Cup comes to Scotland," Mr McLeish said. "Our bid is an example of how we can build a more confident country which competes on the international stage and can, hopefully, host one of the world’s biggest sporting events."