The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Women’s Open to bring £13m boost to economy
Hosting first major at Fife course will produce major benefits
The Ricoh British Women’s Open in Fife will deliver a £13 million boost to the Scottish economy.
The renowned Kingsbarns Golf Links is playing host to the major tournament for the first time from Thursday and tourism chiefs expect the event to deliver significant economic benefits.
Estimates suggest that four days of global media exposure will deliver more than £8 million, while the net total impact on Scotland of staging the event is likely to add another £5m.
Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said: “Golf is a critical part of the visitor economy and the ripple effect of event tourism is felt in shops, hotels and a wide range of businesses across Scotland.”
With the Kelpie maquettes to be officially unveiled in St Andrews today, north-east Fife is ready for one of the busiest weeks of the year.
Hosting the Women’s Open in Fife this week will tee up £13 million for the Scottish economy, it has been claimed.
The world’s best female golfers will descend on Kingsbarns for four days of competition starting on Thursday, with an estimated 30,000 spectators expected to enjoy all the action on the Fife coast.
With the Kelpie maquettes to be officially unveiled in St Andrews today, tourism chiefs are hoping the next few days – particularly in the north-east of the region – will provide the Fife economy with a timely fillip.
Estimates suggest the global media exposure for Scotland over the four days of the championship could be worth in excess of £8m, while the net total impact on Scotland of the event is anticipated to generate more than £5m on top of that.
Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, told The Courier: “Golf is a critical part of the visitor economy and the ripple effect of event tourism is felt in shops, hotels and a wide range of businesses across Scotland.
“It creates jobs, sustains communities and provides an international shop window for our country.”
Kingsbarns has previously hosted the European Tour’s Dunhill Links Championship along with the Old Course at St Andrews and Carnoustie, although this week will be the first time it has hosted a major of any kind.
Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn will face the challenge of five former Women’s British Open champions, 24 major champions and 22 Solheim Cup players with 78 appearances between them.
Scottish number one Catriona Matthew said: “As a proud Scot, I always feel the Women’s British Open is that extra bit special when it is hosted in Scotland.”
Meanwhile, St Andrews is expected to be busy today as the Kelpie maquettes are given a formal unveiling on the Bruce Embankment.
A parade, led by Clydesdale horse Pixie and the City of St Andrews Pipe Band, will start at the castle at 10.30am and head down The Scores before Andy Scott, the Kelpies sculptor and Jim Carruth, the poet who inspired them, perform the opening ceremony.
That will be followed by a carnival from 11am-4pm.
As a proud Scot, I always feel the Women’s British Open is that extra bit special when it is hosted in Scotland