Open tournament brings £120m boost to Scotland
THE Open golf tournament at Carnoustie boosted the Scottish economy by £120 million this year.
The 147th Open attracted a record 172,000 fans in July to watch the tournament won by Francesco Molinari, who became the first Italian to lift the Claret Jug.
The Open has been played in Scotland more often than any other country, with Carnoustie hosting the event for the first time since 2007, surpassing the 157,000 attendance record set in 1999.
An independent study found the economic impact of the tournament was a boost of £69m, in addition to £51m in destination marketing activity from The Open being broadcast on television to more than 600 million households in 193 countries.
Welcoming the research by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Open Championship is synonymous with Scotland as the home of golf, and this year’s Open at Carnoustie once again showcased Scotland internationally as the perfect stage for major events.
“The figures released also demonstrate the economic benefits of hosting major events and I’m pleased the 147th Open generated significant income for both the local Angus area and for the wider Scottish economy.
“We look forward to bringing The Open back to Scotland in 2021 when it returns to St Andrews and, of course, we will welcome the world to Gleneagles next September for the Solheim Cup.”
The study – which was commissioned by golf’s governing body the R&A, VisitScotland and Angus Council – also concluded the Angus area alone received a £21m injection of new money from The Open.
Almost half of the spectators who attended ( 49.8%) travelled f rom outside Scotland, while the majority of Scottish fans (84.8%) came from outside Angus.
David Fairweather, leader of Angus Council, said: “We were delighted to welcome The Open back.
“We all enjoyed a fantastic event that attracted global interest, as well as i mmediate and l ong- l asting economic benefits to local and regional communities.”