Tee party for China

Apr 14 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

WORLD famous Gleneagles Golf Club could play host to as many as one million Chinese players after the Perthshire institution signed up to an ambitious Scottish Government tourism plan.

First Minister Alex Salmond launched the Scottish Prestige Golf Club in Beijing last week, a move which could see Chinese players gain access to the top Scottish courses – including the 2014 Ryder Cup venue – if they stump-up the £2,650 annual membership fee.

The subscription also includes priority tee times and travel agency services.

It is estimated there are 200 courses in China at present, with an extra 100 currently under construction.

And Russell Smith, head golf professional at Gleneagles, described the scheme as a “huge opportunity”.

“This is not just about us here at Gleneagles. First and foremost, it’s about Scotland’s tourism industry and economy as a whole.

“The golfers coming over from China are already members of their home clubs, so they hope is to create a sort of ‘bucket-list’ approach to get them to make repeat visits.

“One year they may want to try playing us, then the next year another course, and then another, until they have ticked off all the top courses in a country which is, after all, the home of golf.

“I don’t see why this idea couldn’t spread to places like India too, as well as other emerging golfing nations,” he said.

Launching the scheme, First Minister Alex Salmond said: “There are now more than a million golf club members in China, who are no different to golfers all over the world in wanting to test their skills at the home of golf.

“By creating the Scottish Prestige Golf Club, we are not only providing members with the chance to fulfil their ambitions, but we can attract thousands of additional visitors – and additional revenue – to participating courses and tourism businesses right across the country,” he said.

Philip Riddle, VisitScotland's chief executive, said: “With golf increasing in popularity in China, the opportunity to become an overseas member of one of the leading golf courses in Scotland is sure to be extremely popular.”