Implementation

"Golfing in Scotland is the most fun I've ever had playing golf."

Tom Watson

Kings and Queens course, Gleneagles

Balcomie Links, Crail

The Scottish Golf Tourism Executive, working in partnership with regional golf groups, Area Tourist Boards, Local Enterprise Companies, golf courses and the private sector will lead implementation of this strategy.

In addition, a national Golf Tourism Development Manager will be appointed to assist implementation and liaise with local groups and the private sector.

The role of local golf tourism partnerships, and of the private sector, is vital in defining and delivering the detail of this strategy. Private sector engagement will take place at national level, through the Scottish Golf Tourism Executive, and locally through project action groups. These will advise on and deliver parts of the strategy, and ensure that the right skills are available to meet the demands of the initiatives taken.

Golf Highland Ltd, East of Scotland Golf Tourism Alliance, Fife Golf Tourism Initiative, Ayrshire Golf Classic Initiative, Carnoustie Country and the Scottish Borders Freedom of the Fairways are models for the development of golf tourism at local level. Initiatives of this kind will be centrally important to the delivery of this strategy and other groups will be encouraged where appropriate and consistent with the planned golf marketing areas.

Local Area Tourism Strategies will also be expected to reflect national priorities on golf tourism and outline objectives for golf tourism development at the local level.

Who does what?

Many agencies are involved in different aspects of the administration and development of golf in Scotland, with no hierarchical or integrated structure. That is why our golf tourism strategy brings together the key agencies at national level, and emphasises the importance of co-ordination and networking at all levels.

In terms of golf tourism, the key players are:

VisitScotland

Key functions are national level marketing, market intelligence and co-ordination of the Area Tourist Board network. VisitScotland will allocate more resources to golf tourism marketing in line with the emphasis on niche marketing in the national tourism strategy, and will work closely with its partners to deliver the strategy as a whole.

Scottish Enterprise, Highland & Islands Enterprise

Have helped to provide the research base for the new golf tourism strategy, and will lead the product, business development and training components of the strategy.

Scottish Golf Union

The main governing body for amateur golf in Scotland representing all clubs and courses, SGU is responsible for golf development and is increasingly developing commercial partnership operations like the Scottish National Golf Centre and a national golf website, which will be integral elements of the national strategy.

sportscotland

Principally concerned with the sports development and recreational aspects of golf, including strategic planning and the administration of Lottery funding. Advising on relevant aspects of the golf tourism strategy, sportscotland recognises the importance of integrating the tourism and recreational aspects of golf at all levels -including that of individual clubs.

Area Tourist Boards

Play an important role, individually and in appropriate groupings, working with the local trade in promoting and providing information on the golf tourism product in their areas.

Local Enterprise Companies

Have an important role in developing golf tourism through assisting course development, business development and packaging etc.

Local Authorities

Directly control about 15% of Scotland's golf courses and play an important and varied role in golf tourism in a number of ways including contributing to planning, development and promotion both directly and indirectly.

Scottish Incoming Golf Tour Operators' Association

The only representative body in an otherwise fragmented golf tourism private sector, SIGTOA's members largely target the North American market, but have the expertise and experience to contribute to the development of new markets as part of the strategy.

Regional Golf Development Groups

A number of regional groups exist at present in the Highlands, East of Scotland, Fife and Ayrshire and provide models for the development of golf tourism at a local level. These groups have a key role in contributing to the detail of the national strategy and in implementing it.

Other agencies are enormously important in relation to specific aspects of golf tourism. For example, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in running The Open Championship and financially assisting golf development, and the Scottish Golf Course Wildlife Group in encouraging good environmental management, but they do not have a strategic role as such.

St Andrews

Newmachar Golf Course