The Home of Golf Comes to PGA Orlando

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Jan. 15 // -- Visitors and participants at this year's PGA Orlando merchandise show will be given a chance to experience a taste of the Home of Golf when VisitScotland teams up with some of Scotland's top golfing attractions from 17-19 January.

    VisitScotland, Scotland's national tourism organisation will bring across key partners to showcase world renowned golf courses and exciting new packages available to visitors in 2008/09. Visitors to the Scotland stand will be able to meet with representatives from a selection of coveted golf courses in Scotland and find out more about golfing on everything from championship courses to some hidden gems.

    During the 3-day show VisitScotland will also be partnering with whisky brand Glenlivet for a unique Scottish networking evening. This event will allow Scottish golf partners to create further strong links with key buyers and tour operators in North America. Scottish partners attending PGA Orlando include Macdonald Marine hotel & Spa, The Gleneagles Hotel, Wilkinson Golf and Kintyre Golf.

    "As the Home of Golf we are delighted to be able to showcase our world renowned golf product at PGA Orlando. It speaks volumes about our country's passion with golf that there are more courses per head of population here than in any other country in the world," said Melanie Angus, Trade Promotions Manager at VisitScotland.

    "More and more tourism businesses around Scotland add to our golfers' paradise each year. In 2008 we are looking forward to the launch of a new development at Machrihanish Dunes in Argyll as well as The Castle course in St Andrews and also further progression of the Jack Nicklaus development at the Ury Estate in Aberdeenshire. These are fantastic additions when gearing up for The Open at Turnberry in Ayrshire in 2009 and in preparation for the return of the Ryder Cup to Gleneagles in 2014."

    With direct flights from New York to Glasgow and Edinburgh with Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines, Scotland is easier to get to than ever before. Offering golfers of all abilities a vacation to remember, Scotland offers the opportunity to experience everything from championship courses to hidden gems, to meeting the locals in the 19th hole.

    To find out more about the Home of Golf visit the Scotland stand at PGA Orlando, booth #2785 from 17-19 January.

    For more information on planning and booking a golfing vacation to Scotland, please visit http://www.cometoscotland.com.

    Notes to editors.

    VisitScotland's partners at PGA Orlando:

    -- DeVere Deluxe Cameron House

     The Carrick golf course, designed by renowned architect Doug Carrick,

     is at the forefront of a spectacular development which was completed in

     2006. To complement the course DeVere Deluxe Cameron House has a full

     spa, 3 dining experiences and 96 resort ownership properties plus an

     extra 35 bedrooms.

     http://www.devereonline.co.uk

    -- Executive Golf and Leisure Ltd

     For over 20 years, Executive Golf & Leisure have been creating tailor-

     made golf tours in Scotland. Offering some of the most coveted golf

     courses, luxury accommodation and first class transportation, Executive

     Golf & Leisure are one of the few companies able to offer guaranteed

     golf tee times at the Old Course, St Andrews.

     http://www.exec-golf-leisure.com

    -- Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa

     Set in the historic seaside town of North Berwick and located in the

     heart of the East Lothian golfing coastline, the Macdonald Marine Hotel

     & Spa offers golf on its Championship West Links course. Having

     recently completed a multi-million pound refurbishment programme, the

     hotel offers elegant grandeur for a golfing break, complete with spa

     facilities.

     http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/marine

    -- St Andrews Executive Travel

     Formed in 1992, St Andrews Executive Travel has emerged as one of

     Scotland's premier golf transportation specialists. Located only

     minutes from St Andrews historic Old Course, the company pride

     themselves with a wealth of local knowledge and fantastic personal

     service.

     http://www.saxtravel.co.uk

    -- The Gleneagles Hotel

     Home to the 40th Ryder Cup in 2014, Gleneagles offers golf on 3

     stunning championship courses, some of the world's best. Whether an

     enthusiastic beginner or a seasoned pro, the courses will prove a

     challenge for all. The PGA centenary Course, created by Jack Nicklaus

     has five different tees at each hole, building up to the ultimate 7,088

     yard championship test.

     http://www.gleneagles.com

    -- Wilkinson Golf

     With a mainly American client base, Wilkinson Golf offer golf packages

     the length and breadth of Scotland. From championship courses to

     hidden gems, there is a package available for every level of enthusiast

     and budget. With a dedicated team on hand to find the right vacation

     for its clients, Wilkinson Golf have a high level of repeat business

     which is testament to its client services.

     http://www.wikinsongolf.com

    -- Golf Aberdeen City & Shire

     Set up in 2007 as a collaborative group between VisitScotland, Scottish

     Enterprise Grampian and a range of like minded private sector

     representatives from golf courses, golf tour operators, accommodation

     providers as well as Aberdeen Airport, the ambition of the group is to

     open up the North East Scotland golf tourism product taking it into the

     21st Century.

    -- Kintyre Golf

     Home to some of the most picturesque and rewarding golf courses in

     Scotland, golfing in Kintyre is a truly memorable and rewarding

     experience. Gigha golf course on the small island off the west coast

     offers wonderful panoramic views of the island and the mainland, while

     Dunaverty Golf Club, renowned for its small, well kept greens offers

     great views of the surrounding Mull of Kintyre.

     http://www.kintyregolf.com

    Golf Events in 2008

    10-13 July 2008: Barclays Scottish Open, Loch Lomond.

     Taking place on the shores of one of the most picturesque lochs in

     Scotland, the Scottish Open is an ideal opportunity to see an

     outstanding field of players from throughout the world.

     http://www.barclaysscottishopen.co.uk

    28-31 August 2008: Johnnie Walker Championship, Gleneagles.

     Taking place on the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, this exciting

     championship course was designed by Jack Nicklaus. A challenge in

     every sense of the word, a visit to this event will be memorable for

     years to come.

     http://www.johnniewalkerchampionship.com

    2-5 July 2008: Alfred Dunhill Links, St Andrews/Carnoustie/Kingsbarns

     Having grown in stature over the last couple of years, this

     championship sees some of the world's top professionals take on sports

     starts and celebrities in a event that takes in 3 fantastic courses.

     Previous contestants have included Michael Douglas, Bill Murray and

     Samuel L. Jackson.

     http://www.cometoscotland.com