Moray’s hidden gem golf courses have become centre stage in a new initiative designed to lure more visitors to the region to enjoy a sporting holiday.
The 15 sites across the region will be promoted together under the Moray Speyside Golf tourism scheme.
Package deals will also be offered to visitors for accommodation, food and drink companies and other attractions.
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The campaign was launched last week at the Visit Scotland Expo and so far has been a success, with golf tour operators quick to snap up trips.
Moray Speyside Tourism operations manager Laurie Piper said it had come on the back of years of preparation.
He said: “We’ve pulled together most of the golf courses in Moray to work in partnership with us so we can help to position them as the jewels in the crown of the region that they are.
“We have got some wonderful courses here that often get overlooked in favour of the ones in Inverness and Aberdeen but we are showing that we have a strong golfing offer, with beautiful courses designed by old masters.
“We hope to increase the number of golf visitors to the region by 10%.”
Moray is home to a wide variety of courses such as classic coastal links at Cullen and Lossiemouth and the rolling hills of the course at Rothes.
Former British Prime Ministers Ramsay MacDonald and Herbert Asquith both counted Moray Golf Club amongst their favourites.
So far, the initiative has received positive feedback and a number of bookings for golfing holidays have already been made.
Mr Piper is excited that the programme was now up and running.
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He said: “I recognised back in 2014 that golf was one of the region’s most under-exploited assets that had good potential but sadly hadn’t been pushed as a golfing destination.
“Statistically, golf tourists spend more money and stay longer than regular tourists so there is a rich market here.”
To find out more about Moray Speyside Golf, visit www.morayspeysidegolf.com
