East Lothian set for 'festival'

Scotland’s Golf Coast to celebrate busy year in style with brand new, week-long event

Capping a year in which it will stage the Scottish Open for the first time, as well as the Scottish Senior Open, East Lothian plays host to the inaugural Scotland’s Golf Coast Festival later this season.

Taking place from October 18-24, the week-long series of events features some of the world’s finest links courses, picturesque parkland courses and the heritage of a golf destination dating back to the late 17th century.

The week begins with a Nine-Hole Challenge at Gifford Golf Club, a beautiful course set in gently undulating parkland with the Lammermuir Hills as a scenic backdrop, and it concludes with The Heritage Challenge at Musselburgh Links, where golfers face the challenge of taking on the world’s oldest golf course, with the option of using hickory clubs.

However, the highlight of the week is the Saltire Trophy. Open to all amateur golfers, this 72-hole Stableford tournament will be over four world-renowned links courses: Gullane No.1, Longniddry, Dunbar, right and the exclusive Renaissance Club, inset.

A golfer’s paradise, with 22 ‘must play’ courses, stretching along 30 miles of stunning coastline, just 30 minutes from Edinburgh, East Lothian is widely recognised as ‘Scotland’s Golf Coast’. Its temperate climate - it is one of the sunniest and driest places in the country - makes golf a year-round sport there.

Scottish Club Golfer readers interested in taking part in the competition can take advantage of a special offer from the organisers, who are offering a place in the Saltire Trophy for groups of four for only £900.

This represents a saving of 25% on the standard entry fee and gives golfers the chance to play four rounds of golf for only £225 each. This is a limited offer, however, and is available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

For more information, log on to www.golfeastlothian.com/festival

In Other News...