'Toolkit' unveiled for clubs

Governing bodies want clubs to get as much as they can from the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles

THE Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association (SLGA) and ClubGolf have come together to unveil the new Scottish Golf ‘Club Toolkit’ initiative.

Created to encourage clubs to build a legacy from the 2014 Ryder Cup through access to tickets for the event itself, the bodies revealed that all of the country’s near 600 golf clubs would be given the opportunity to receive at least two tickets for the match at Gleneagles in September to be used in developing the game at local level.

MEMBERSHIP

The ‘Ryder Cup Ready’ toolkit provides clubs and ClubGolf facilities with a guide featuring ideas on how to maximise the countdown to the big event, including building junior membership, retaining members, generating more clubhouse revenue, attracting new golfers and increasing visitor numbers. Sky Sports, the official broadcaster of the Ryder Cup, is also back the club activity through a special ‘six months for the price of four’ subscription offer and the chance to become one of Sky Sports’ ‘Ultimate Venues’ during the week of the event.

Clubs will be invited to apply for the tickets, which have been awarded by the Scottish Government as part of Scotland’s host nation allocation, based on running Ryder Cup themed activity in the run up to the event and successful clubs will be rewarded with two tickets for match days and up to eight practice day tickets.

With match day tickets for the biennial event now sold out, the initiative will provide a unique opportunity for golfers in Scotland to attend one of the world’s biggest sporting events, with clubs encourage to give golfers young and old the chance to get their hands on the tickets.

Sam Torrance, the victorious European Ryder Cup captain in 2002 and vice captain for this year’s event, welcomed the initiative.

He said: “The Ryder Cup Ready Club Toolkit is a great idea, as there’s no better time for clubs to showcase themselves amid the buzz of the Ryder Cup.

“It’s fantastic to see such a large proportion of tickets going to clubs across Scotland, giving the chance for club members to be part of what will be an amazing home crowd at Gleneagles.

“The practice days are also a fantastic spectacle and I’m sure those youngsters and volunteers attending will savour the experience and inspire them to stay involved in the game of golf with the chance to see the world’s best players in action.”

AMBITIONS

Shona Robison, cabinet secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, added: “With the Ryder Cup on the horizon, there has never been a better time for golf clubs across Scotland to raise their ambitions, increase their membership and make new offers to communities and to visitors.

“The Scottish Government is backing this toolkit with Ryder Cup tickets to encourage clubs to capitalise on this great opportunity.”

A total of 3,000 tickets will be given from the Host Nation allocation, with 2,000 tickets going to ClubGolf and 1,000 tickets to the SGU and SLGA.

Clubs can download the Ryder Cup Ready toolkit and access the ticket application form by visiting scottishgolf.org/rydercup

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