International Golf Field Plays Carnoustie Country as Part of Tartan Day Scotland 2011 Celebrations
Issued: 5 April 2011
The Tartan Day International Golf Challenge teed off in Angus yesterday (Monday 4 April).
54 golfers from China, South Africa and the UK are taking part in the 2011 tournament which is played over the prized golf courses of Montrose, Carnoustie, St Andrews and Gleneagles.
The annual tournament is organised by Angus Council as part of its drive to make Carnoustie Country the destination of choice for international leisure golfers.
The council's golf tourism spokesperson councillor David May was on hand to welcome the competitors to Montrose Medal Golf Course yesterday for the first round of the 2011 tournament.
"This year's field includes a group from a new company, Apex International which was set up following last year's tournament with the express purpose of bringing golf tours to Carnoustie Country; they were so impressed by what we have on offer here," said councillor May.
"Not only are they back at this year's Tartan Day tournament they are returning later in the year with other groups of leisure golfers, keen to experience Carnoustie Country golf.
"This is a great result which will bring visitors and money into the area and is exactly what we've been working for with our marketing of Carnoustie Country."
Councillor May said he believed 2011 was shaping up to be another bumper year for golf in Angus.
"We've got the RICOH Womens Open in July which has a fantastic profile and will attract thousands of spectators as well a huge global television audience.
"Before that we have the annual Carnoustie Country Classic, a now established four-day amateur tournament that will bring over 140 club golfers to stay and play in Angus in May.
"All of this is in addition to the work being done by individual clubs to attract visitors and develop Carnoustie Country's reputation as the place for leisure golfers. The council is working very closely with clubs, as part of a golf industry group, where together we are developing and marketing new, accessible and affordable golf tourism opportunities in the county."
The competitiors in the 2011 Tartan Day International Golf Challenge tee off at Carnoustie Links.
