The boss of Castle Stuart has urged the north to cash in on the booming golf tourism sector following the “phenomenal” success of the Scottish Open.
General Manager Stuart McColm revealed that the golf links near Inverness had been “inundated with inquiries” from around the world since hosting the prestigious event this month.
He said the publicity had strengthened the region’s position as a “gateway” for international visitors travelling to Scotland to experience the Home of Golf.
But Mr McColm said the area must also seize the moment and capitalise on its current fame.
Local MSP Rhoda Grant said the region’s famous golf courses should be paired with the whisky distilleries of Moray and the Highlands when the areas are marketed around the world.
Castle Stuart Golf Links hosted the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open for the fourth time in six years from July 7 to 10, while a qualifying event was held at Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth in the days before.
Just a week later, superstar footballer Gareth Bale generated further headlines by jetting in with his friends to play a round at the Inverness course, and another 18 holes at Royal Dornoch.
Mr McColm believes many others will follow the Real Madrid winger in the wake of the Scottish Open.
He said: “Over the course of the week, some spectacular images of the Moray Firth and the wider Highlands were sent around the world via live TV, social media and newspaper coverage.
“There was also a stream of positive comments about the area from some of the world’s leading players and golf commentators.
“While all this is welcome, the legacy from the Scottish Open has to be more people coming to the north of Scotland to visit and to play golf.
“The early signs are encouraging. Since the start of the tournament, we at Castle Stuart have been inundated with inquiries from people from all over the world – including tour operators and individuals – who now want to experience the Highlands for themselves.”
Mr McColm also highlighted the series of events being held to celebrate Royal Dornoch’s 400th anniversary celebrations, as well as the Home Internationals in August and the Women’s International Team Challenge in September, both at Nairn Golf Club.
“All this has strengthened the Highlands’ reputation as a leading golfing destination and our position as a gateway for visitors coming to the Home of Golf,” he said.
“We need to work together with all other partner organisations to ensure the potential is fulfilled.”
During the event this month, Castle Stuart was praised by several competitors, including US stars Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed and Steve Stricker.
After Henrik Stenson’s victory in The Open Championship the following week, Castle Stuart bosses were also quick to highlight that on each of the four occasions the Inverness course had hosted the Scottish Open, one of the players taking part went on to win The Open.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said Castle Stuart had put on a “phenomenal event”.
“I think if you are not into golf you don’t quite realise the significance of what the guys have achieved,” he said.
“Stuart is right – we have got to capitalise on it.
“The rest of us have to get involved in that. Visitors are coming across to play Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch and we have to make sure the city centre is attractive to them, and we have the transport infrastructure, and we have the whole social scene to back it up.
“We need people to go away from the Highlands raving about it.”
Mrs Grant, Labour MSP for the Highlands and islands, said: “I think there is a big opportunity and it also fits in with whisky.
“They are both very Scottish things and give something for everybody. Certainly the Chinese and Japanese market take golf and whisky very seriously.
“We’ve got the whole package, it’s just about marketing it to people.”
