VisitScotland has launched its biggest ever golf promotion at the oldest golf course in the world; The Old Course on Musselburgh Links.
This year's 'Drive It Home' encourages golfers from around the world to register on www.driveithomescotland.com to win free tee times at 57 top golf courses in Scotland, with over 250 tee times up for grabs. It builds on the success of last year's promotion, with the added incentive of the chance to play with Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance and win tickets to The Open.
The promotion was launched at Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club, by the club's most promising young player, eleven year old Joanne Free. The Musselburgh youngster is no stranger to golfing success, already notching up a number of top place finishes across Scotland in the junior ranks.
This year's promotion runs until the end of April. Tee times come from a mixture of renowned world class courses including Gleneagles The PGA Centenary Golf Course, home of the 2014 Ryder Cup, Turnberry Ailsa course, The Torrance at Fairmont St Andrews to lesser known hidden gems including Ferntown Golf Course in Crieff and the Wigtownshire County Golf course.
Sam Torrance, VisitScotland's golf ambassador, said: "The Drive It Home promotion is the perfect reason for both international and UK golfers to visit the Home of Golf in 2010. Scotland is the undisputed 'Home of Golf' - we have the best courses in the world and facilities that are second to none and will again be firmly on the golfing map this year with the 150th anniversary of the Open. "Scotland has over 550 courses the length and breadth of the country, the difficulty golfers have when visiting is choosing their favourite!"
Robin McGregor, Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club secretary, said: "Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club is excited to be involved with the Drive it Home 2010 campaign. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome visitors to "The Cradle of Golf" and personally show guests around our unique club house. It's our hope that all visitors to Scotland experience the world-class golf on offer - but also take away with them, a true sense of the golf heritage and tradition that can be found by visiting East Lothian and playing our courses. No visit to Scotland is complete without playing the world's oldest golf course."
Tony Jacklin will be playing on the World's Oldest Golf Course later this year with Hickory Clubs when he takes part in The Scottish Golf Heritage Festival; a golf tournament July 9-12, 2010. This year the festival celebrates the 150th Anniversary of The Open and the first Open champion — Willie Park Senior. Golfers can register teams, book accommodation and transfers all by visiting www.golfworldsoldest.co.uk.
The Drive It Home promotion is open to golfers from the UK, Sweden, the United States and Canada. Last year, over 4000 international golfers logged onto the website to claim a free four-ball.
This year's 'Drive It Home' website includes offers from hundreds of tourism businesses in Scotland, including 60 accommodation providers and travel operators.
For additional holiday information or things to do away from the golf course log onto www.visitscotland.com/whiteinvite.
For further information and photography, please contact:
James Lakie
PR Executive Golf
James.lakie@visitscotland.com
Tel: 0131 472 2283
Mob: 07785 950 610
Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club
For further information and photography, please contact:
Laura McGregor
PR Executive
laura.mcgregor@1672golf.co.uk
Tel: 0131 228 5824
Mob: 07725 589 353
