Ever dreamed of teeing off alongside a Ryder Cup legend? As part of Scotland's biggest ever golf promotion, Drive it Home, you could win a fantastic trip to Scotland, the Home of Golf, to play with champion golfer Sam Torrance on one of his all-time favourite courses. And when Scotland hosts the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014, you can say you've been there, done that, played a round with the one and only Sam Torrance.

February saw Drive it Home offer over 250 tee times throughout Scotland at over 50 of the country's top courses, while April will provide the opportunity to win a trip to July's Open Championship in its 150th anniversary year. Visit www.driveithome2010.com to win a round with Sam Torrance or tickets to the Open Championship.

Scotland is undeniably the Home of Golf, with over 550 courses to choose from and having pioneered the game from as early as the 15 century. From the iconic courses of St Andrews and the coastal links of Aberdeenshire, Morayshire and Ayrshire, to the challenges Dalmahoy and Gleneagles, Scotland's golf courses provide the experience of a lifetime for golfers.

Sam Torrance, VisitScotland's golf ambassador, said, 'The Drive It Home promotion is the perfect reason for international 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 Championship. Scotland has over 550 courses the length and breadth of the country, the difficulty golfers have when visiting is choosing their favourite!'

This year's Drive it Home campaign website harnesses the support and enthusiasm of hundreds of partners across Scottish tourism, including 60 accommodation providers and travel operators. With free tee times up for grabs at over 50 of Scotland's courses, and a range of associated discounts and deals, this year's biggest golf push is on course to persuade even more golfers to 'Drive It Home'.

Top facts that make Scotland the home of golf…
1. The rules of golf were first drawn up and played at Edinburgh's Leith Links in 1744.

2. Scotland's Castle & Whisky Country in the North East has over 52 golf courses, one for each week of the year.

3. 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.

4. Musselburgh held the world's first golf tournament for women on New Year's Day 1811.

5. In 1860 the 1st Open Championship was held at Prestwick and the first winner was Willie Park with a score of 174.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. The word 'golf' may have come from the old Scots verb 'to gowff' meaning to strike hard.

9. It's the focus of many a bar-side discussion, but many would say that the most famous hole in golf is the 17th on the historic Old Course at St. Andrews.

For more information on any of the above, or images (Sam Torrance image available on request) please contact:

Andrew Moffat
International PR Executive
VisitScotland
Ocean Point One
94 Ocean Drive
Edinburgh EH6 6JH
T: +44 (0) 131 472 2041
E: andrew.moffat@visitscotland.com

How will Drive It Home work?

· Limit one (1) entry per person/email address

· DIH 2010 will run 1st Feb - 30th April 2010 across all VS's priority golf markets and in three phases

1. February - "Win one of 500 free four-balls in Scotland" - target to secure x5 free four-balls from each of x100 participating Scottish clubs. Will be a draw (cup) at the end of each week during month of Feb to draw a certain amount of the free four-balls.

2. March - "Win a golfing trip to the Home of Golf and play with Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance" - one prize for winner and golfing partner. There will be one prize for each region as follows: US, Canada, UK & Ireland, Sweden, Rest of World. Thus there are 5 of these to be won in total

3. April - "Win the Ultimate golf experience - play the Old Course St Andrews and see the 150th British Open Championship" - one prize for winner and golfing partner

Just some of the major Golf Events in Scotland during 2010

Open Championship
St Andrews
15 - 18 July 2010

The Open Championship will return to St Andrews in 2010, from 15 to 18 July, marking the 150th anniversary of the first Open played at Prestwick in 1860. The Old Course has now staged 27 Open Championships and will look forward to hosting its 28th in 2010.

www.opengolf.com

Scottish Open
Loch Lomond Golf Club, Dunbartonshire
8 July - 11 July 2010

The Scottish Open has been played at Loch Lomond since 1996, just two years after the course was opened. In that short time the tournament and the venue have grown in stature, with brilliant notices from the worlds best golfers, to become a highlight of the European Tour.

www.barclaysscottishopen.co.uk

Johnnie Walker Championship
Gleneagles
26 - 29 August 2010

Diageo is proud to be the host and sponsor of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles on its 10th anniversary. Held over The PGA Centenary Course, venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup, this is one of the leading events on The PGA European Tour International Schedule of Events and will welcome some of the best golfers in the world to one of the most beautiful places in the world.

www.johnniewalkerchampionship.com

Dunhill Links Championship
St Andrews
7 - 10 October 2010

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, to be held in St Andrews, is one of the highlights of the European Tour. A unique event with the world's leading professional golfers playing alongside amateurs over three of the world's best known links courses (St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kings Barns). In the past, the tournament has drawn some of the greatest stars in the world of golf, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie to name a few.

The competition also attracts well-known amateur players such as Michael Douglas, Hugh Grant and Samuel L Jackson.

www.alfreddunhilllinks.com