The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
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History: Firm made its first foray into golf in the 1920s and offered £10 tour to first Open at Carnoustie in 1931
Operator closes in on a century in golf tourism –
Scottish golf tour operator DP&L Golf, which looks after clients from all over the world, is eagerly awaiting the return of the Open to Carnoustie this summer.
Alick Bisset, managing director of Dundee-based parent DP&L Group, said: “It is a great opportunity for Angus and Dundee to show to the world what a fantastic place it is to come and visit.”
The Open is a much-anticipated money-spinner for many local firms.
Mr Bisset said: “For us, it is not just about inbound golf tourism, it has a major positive impact for our Henderson Gray Marquee Hire business and Key Personnel, our recruitment business.
“While we will not be hiring marquees to the R&A, businesses are hosting customers at hotels and houses in the surrounding areas and a marquee is an excellent way to temporarily increase the capacity of the venue.
“We are also recruiting temporary staff for the retail and catering sectors at the Open as well as assisting with the administration of the entire temporary staff employed by the R&A at the Open.
“In terms of inbound golf packages, we see it as an opportunity not only to bring people to the Open, but to stay in a local hotel and play the local courses as well.”
For the DP&L Group as a whole, the Open will generate income of nearly £400,000.
Mr Bisset said the company is one of Scotland’s oldest businesses, starting to trade in 1826.
It was originally the Dundee Perth & London Shipping Co, which focused on transporting goods and people between the three cities.
The company has also organised Scottish golf packages since the 1920s.
Mr Bisset added: “We even created an all-inclusive golf package from London to attend the 1931 Carnoustie Open for a princely sum of £10.
“We have the original marketing material from the 1920s and for the Carnoustie Open. DP&L was probably the first Scottish golf tour operator.”
Asked about plans for DP&L Golf, he said the focus will remain on delivering excellent value Scottish golf packages which bring the overseas golfer to Scotland to enjoy the wonderful scenery, golf, food and whisky.
“Our aim over the next couple of years is to develop stronger links with tour operators and agents overseas,” he said.
“We will continue to develop our links in Asia, but with a stronger focus on North America.
“We have also just started an outbound golf tour business. This has grown out of the links we have established with overseas tour operators.
“We are focusing on the less-wellknown overseas destinations – for instance Iceland, the Baltic States and Japan. Our trips generally all offer a combination of golf and sightseeing, which we believe is a growing market.”
On the subject of Scotland’s current golf tourism industry, Mr Bisset thinks both the high-end and discount dotcom sectors are very well served.
He added: “The high-end sector focuses on selling the Old Course, St Andrews, and the iconic venues, while the dotcoms are taking distressed tee times and empty rooms and selling them at a discount.
“Both have their place and do an excellent job. What we are about is bringing people to Scotland to stay at great hotels and play stunning golf courses, but not spend a fortune.
“Our hope is this will encourage both more first-timers and greater repeat business. We believe there is plenty of spare capacity in this middle market and so plenty of room for expansion.”
However, Mr Bisset feels the popularity of the Old Course can be a double-edged sword for Scottish golf.
He explained: “On one hand, it is easily the most iconic course in the world – it is on everyone’s bucket list. So it attracts people to Scotland.
“The problem is the commercial (guaranteed) tee times are sold out 12 to 18 months in advance. Despite explaining this endlessly to our overseas agents, it is amazing how many people still ask for the Old Course at short notice.
“The problem is that many will not come at all if they cannot obtain a guaranteed Old Course time.
“I acknowledge there are other routes, especially the yearly or daily ballot. This does turn off a lot of golfers.
“I think this is more an educational issue and, as such, I wish there was a greater focus on promoting everything, but the Old Course as the Old Course effectively sells itself.”