Iconic Ryder Cup Trophy to visit "four corners of Scotland"
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The Ryder Cup Trophy is to visit ‘the four corners of Scotland’ on an Official Trophy Tour which begins next week. Teeing off at Edinburgh’s OMNI Centre from 10am to 7pm, this Thursday, 4 September, members of the public will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the world’s most recognisable sporting trophies.
The Ryder Cup Trophy will then travel by helicopter over the following few days making stops in the Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Argyll, Isle of Harris, Shetland and Aberdeenshire, before arriving at Gleneagles, host of The 2014 Ryder Cup.
The week-long tour, in partnership with VisitScotland, will take in the nation’s spectacular scenery at the most Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western courses participating in the ClubGolf programme. The wider legacy of The 2014 Ryder Cup is also important with participating courses also being chosen for their tourism and environmental connections.
At each location, members of the public will have the opportunity to see and have their picture taken, next to The Ryder Cup Trophy. The experience can be shared online with the hashtag #rydercuptrophytour. The tour will conclude with the arrival of The Ryder Cup Trophy at The Gleneagles Hotel, host of The 2014 Ryder Cup, on Wednesday 10 September.
“The Trophy Tour is about sharing the magic of The Ryder Cup and bringing one of the world’s most iconic sporting trophies to the doorsteps of fans and members of the public across the country,” said Richard Hill, Europe’s Ryder Cup Director.
“It also highlights just how wide reaching the legacy effects of the event will be. One of the foundations of this has been the ClubGolf programme and we are delighted that so many young Scots now have the chance to take part in a sport that offers a lifetime of exercise and camaraderie.”
The launch event at Edinburgh’s OMNI Centre will also incorporate the unveiling of a large-scale installation welcoming The Ryder Cup back to Scotland, the Home of Golf.
The striking image of one of Scotland’s ‘Big Five’ – a Golden Eagle – carrying the iconic Ryder Cup trophy ‘back to Scotland’, will adorn the exterior of The OMNI Centre in Edinburgh until the end of September, and is sure to become a real talking point within the city and beyond, with visitors being encouraged to share pictures of the installation across social media.
VisitScotland’s Chairman, Mike Cantlay, believes the Official Trophy Tour and the event itself, will bring many benefits to Scotland.
“As we prepare to host The 2014 Ryder Cup, the legacy and economic benefits are set to be felt right across Scotland, not just in the accommodation sector but also travel and transport, Scottish food and drink suppliers, attractions and a wide range of businesses throughout the industry.
“This amazing and ambitious Trophy Tour will see this historic golfing prize travel to four magnificent corners of the country, taking in some of the most spectacular and geographically remote golf courses in the world, while also representing the various legacy benefits associated with hosting The Ryder Cup in Scotland, including junior golf, golf tourism, golf events and Green Drive.
“From St Medan Golf Club in Dumfries & Galloway to Whalsay Golf Club in Shetland, the instantly recognisable Ryder Cup Trophy brings with it a real sense of excitement, drama and prestige. Beginning the tour by unveiling a striking image of a Golden Eagle on the side of the Omni Centre is also apt and will provide a fitting start to the trophy’s journey around Scotland. I would encourage everyone get out there to see this iconic trophy and to find out why Scotland is the Home of Golf!”
The Ryder Cup Trophy will visit the following locations:
• 4 September, Edinburgh Omni Centre, 10am to 7pm
• 7 September, Roxburghe Golf Club, Scottish Borders, the location of the first legacy events for The 2014 Ryder Cup, the Scottish Seniors Open in 2003, 10am to 12pm
• 7 September, St Medan Golf Club, Dumfries & Galloway, the most Southerly ClubGolf participant, 12.40pm to 4pm
• 8 September, Machrihanish Dunes, Argyll, Golf Environment Certified and extremely proactive in promoting Scottish tourism, 9.30am to 11:30am
• 8 September, Isle of Harris Golf Club, first ClubGolf programme in The Western Isles, 1pm to 4pm
• 9 September, Whalsay Golf Club, Shetland, Most Northerly and Easterly ClubGolf programme in Scotland, 10am to 11.30pm
• 9 September, Braemar Golf Club, Aberdeenshire, the highest golf club in the UK, 1.30pm to 4pm
• 10 September, Gleneagles Hotel, host of The 2014 Ryder Cup
For more information on the event and to keep track of the Official Trophy Tour follow @rydercup or like our
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