Fife - Golf Destination of the Year, Europe 2012

Fife Recognised Internationally as the Golf Destination of Choice 

Fife has been named as the “Golf Destination of the Year – Europe, 2012” at The International Association of Golf Tour Operators Awards in Turkey last night (17th November). The Awards recognise exceptional contributions to the world of golf travel.

Stephen Owen, General Manager of Rufflets, St Andrews and member of the Fife Tourism Partnership was in Turkey with six Fife golf businesses to receive the Award. He said, ”This is a prestigious award for Fife – not only because it places Fife firmly on the international “green” as a fantastic place to visit and play golf, but also because it brings such important economic benefits to the area, too. It is an honour to accept the award on behalf of everyone in Fife involved with golf tourism and I am delighted to do so in the company of such excellent ambassador businesses from Fife, the home of Golf.”

Representatives from Fairmont St Andrews, Kingsbarns, Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews Links, The Old Course Hotel and Stay in St Andrews have been exhibiting at The International Golf Travel Market in Antalya, Turkey this week. They were promoting Fife to hundreds of buyers and journalists from 65 countries, including Argentina, Norway, South Africa and China.

A second award also comes home to Fife as Fairmont St Andrews won Golf Resort of the Year – Europe, 2012.

Accolades poured in for both awards including from a delighted John Parker, chair of the Fife Tourism Partnership, “Congratulations to everyone involved and to the Fairmont for winning both these coveted titles. The reputation and economic value of internationally judged awards like these is immense and makes a huge contribution to tourism in Fife.”

Keith Winter, Head of Enterprise, Planning and Protective Services at Fife Council and interim Chair of the emerging Fife Golf Partnership, also congratulated the winners and said, “These awards provide a great launch platform for the new Fife Golf Partnership which will have its official launch next week. It is a network of Fife golf courses and clubs, accommodation providers, golf travel trade and industry trade associations working together to develop and improve the market position of Fife as a must-visit golf destination. We want to capitalise on Fife’s world class reputation and facilities and news of these awards is the perfect start.”

Fairmont St Andrews European Golf Resort of the Year

The five-star Fairmont St Andrews resort has cemented its position as a leading golf destination by being voted the International Association of Golf Tour Operators’ (IAGTO) European Golf Resort of the Year 2012.

The award is one of the most prestigious available to golf resorts, having recognised the quality of its facilities and service and been voted for by IAGTO’s 400 plus specialist golf tour operators in 58 different countries.

It is the latest in a long line of accolades for the luxurious Scottish resort and comes hot on the heels of Fairmont St Andrews being named Golf Tourism Scotland’s Resort Hotel of the Year for the third time in four years.

And it was a double celebration for the region, as Fife won the European Golf Destination of the Year category.

Fairmont St Andrews’ general manager, Garrett Turta, who accepted the award on behalf of the resort, said: “We’re very proud of all the accolades Fairmont St Andrews has amassed, but this really is one of the resort’s biggest achievements.

“To have been voted the best in Europe by industry experts is quite a coup and a testament to the investment the owners have put in and the hard work and high standards of all our staff.”

Former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance designed one of Fairmont St Andrews’ championship courses and had recorded a special video message at the resort which was played at the awards ceremony.

He said: “Congratulations to the Fairmont St Andrews for winning European Golf Resort of the Year. The facilities here are superb; I love coming to stay at the resort for golf, leisure, fun, a wee dram, anything you like, it’s all available here. I’ve been involved with the Fairmont St Andrews for 10 years, and I’m delighted with the way the resort and courses have matured.”

In recent years Fairmont St Andrews has benefited from a £17m investment which included extensive improvements throughout both The Torrance and The Kittocks courses, refurbishment of the entire hotel and an extension to the leisure facilities to create a luxurious spa and fitness complex.

Since then the resort has hosted numerous prestigious events including final qualifying for the 2010 Open Championship, as well as being the venue for the last three Scottish Senior Opens.

During its 10-year history Fairmont St Andrews has accumulated a host of accolades for hospitality, golf, spa and cuisine, as well as welcoming some of the world’s most powerful individuals as the venue for a G20 summit and Northern Ireland peace talks, while Prince William was a regular visitor and member of the spa and gym while studying at university.

For more information or to book a stay, call 01334 837000, email standrews.scotland@fairmont.com or visit www.fairmont.com/standrews.

GTS Annual Awards List 2011

The Scottish golf industry’s top honours have been announced at a glittering awards ceremony held in St Andrews. The annual Golf Tourism Scotland’s Gold Standard Awards is the sector’s blue-ribbon event where the very best of Scottish golf tourism is celebrated.

Hosted by Fairmont St Andrews, this year’s gala evening saw the presentation of 11 awards including the Special Achievement Award which was received by the former secretary of Prestwick Golf Club Ian Bunch. This year’s Young Industry Person of the Year was presented jointly to Simon Redmond from Macdonald Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews and Valerie Houston formerly of the Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch.

The prestigious Golf Course of the Year award went to Kingsbarns Golf Links which beat off competition from the likes of Castle Stuart and North Berwick. In the accommodation provider category, this year’s hosts Fairmont St Andrews were named the country’s top resort, while Macdonald Rusacks Hotel was awarded the Large Hotel accolade.

Crail Golfing Society received the Golf Secretariat award and St Andrews Executive Travel was named Transport Operator of the Year. Elsewhere, Old Loans Inn at Troon received the Small Hotel/Guesthouse award while Meldrum House in Aberdeenshire was named Scotland’s best country hotel.

“This year’s awards reflect a busy year of events that have showcased the breadth and depth of Scotland ’s golfing sector,” noted GTS chairman Lee Derrick. “Many of the world’s leading amateur and professional players battled it out over courses across Scotland providing great opportunities to show the world what we do best. The industry as a whole benefits from these occasions, so with more high profile events scheduled for next year, including the Seniors Open at Turnberry, The Scottish Open returning to Castle Stuart and The Curtis Cup at The Nairn Golf Club these are undoubtedly exciting times for golf in Scotland .”

Other winners of the GTS Gold Standard Awards included Martin Roy of Carnoustie Golf Links who clinched the Caddiemaster of the Year accolade and Golf Scotland which picked up the Golf Tour Operator of the Year award.

The full list of winners is as follows:

GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any golf course in Scotland that offers tee-times to visitors. And the winner is:

Kingsbarns Golf Links

GOLF SECRETARIAT OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any golf club/course whose administration provides a service to visitors and/or the travel trade. And the winner is:

Crail Golfing Society

CADDIEMASTER OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any caddiemaster providing a service to visitors and/or the travel trade. And the winner is:

Martin Roy, Carnoustie Golf Links

HOTEL OF THE YEAR (Small hotel/guest house category). Nominations for this category were open to accommodation providers with 20 or fewer bedrooms that provide services to golf visitors. And the winner is:

Old Loans Inn, Troon

HOTEL OF THE YEAR (Country house hotel category). Nominations for this category were open to hotels and exclusive-use properties operating in rural areas that provide services to golf visitors. And the winner is:

Meldrum House County Hotel, Aberdeenshire

HOTEL OF THE YEAR (Large hotel category). Nominations for this category were open to hotels with more than 20 bedrooms which provide services to golf visitors. And the winner is:

Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews

HOTEL OF THE YEAR (Resort hotel category). Nominations for this category were open to resort hotels with golf course(s) attached. And the winner is:

Fairmont St Andrews

GOLF TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any tour operator bringing golfers to Scotland . And the winner is:

Golf Scotland

TRANSPORT OPERATOR OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any business providing transport services in Scotland including rail, road, air and sea. And the winner is:

St Andrews Executive Travel

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. And the winner is:

Ian Bunch

YOUNG INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR. And the winner is:

Simon Redmond, Macdonald Rusacks Hotel and Valerie Houston, formerly of the Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch

Winning Through Innovation Workshop

We've been forwarded the information below on a key Scottish Enterprise event which we hope will be of interest to you and some of your industry contacts.

Winning Through Innovation - ‘Digital Marketing for Scottish Tourism - Learning How to Shine Online'

Wednesday, 16th November 2011, Perth Concert Hall, Perth, 9.30am-2.30pm

Cost: £40 (plus VAT)

The theme of the event is digital (or online) marketing - a theme which is attracting a great deal of interest and is becoming a key focus of marketing by tourism businesses. The aim of the event is to help companies learn from leading experts on how to ensure they are 'found' by potential tourists in all the right places online by making best use of recent and emerging developments in online marketing and social media tools, techniques and behaviours.

Hosted by Kaye Adams, the keynote presentation will be by author and tourism marketing consultant Daniel Edward Craig. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Daniel is a former hotel general manager whose areas of expertise include website content, social media best practice and online reputation management. As well as being a frequent speaker at industry events and authoring numerous articles on the topic, Daniel also writes a blog that attracts a worldwide following. We are also delighted to confirm that Karen Plumb, Commercial Director of TripAdvisor (EMEA) will also be speaking.
In addition to hearing the latest hints and tips from the speakers, delegates will also be able to participate in individual speaker workshops and have the opportunity to discuss their specific digital marketing or social media concerns with Scottish Enterprise ICT advisers.

Places are likely to be filled quickly so please reserve your space early by booking online at www.scottish-enterprise.com/shineonline.

Nominees unveiled for golf industry oscars

Nominees for this year’s golf industry awards have been announced by Golf Tourism Scotland , the industry’s national trade body. The annual GTS Gold Standard Awards celebrate the very best in Scottish golf tourism by recognising leading transport and golf tour operators, golf secretariats, caddiemasters and accommodation providers, as well as naming the year’s top golf course.

With 11 awards up for grabs, the GTS Gold Standard Awards gala dinner has become one of the golf industry’s most eagerly awaited annual events. The recipients of the Special Achievement Award and the acclaimed Young Industry Person Award will also be named.

Spela Golf at the 2009 Awards

“There is always a great deal of anticipation in the run-up to the Gold Standards Awards,” commented Lee Derrick, chairman of GTS. “We receive nominations from every sector of Scotland ’s golf tourism industry, which demonstrates some of the fantastic work done this year across the country. By the time the winners are announced at the dinner, the sense of expectation in the room is palpable, and that makes for a wonderful night. I think this year’s awards will be one to relish because of the range of entrants that have been nominated for the awards.”

With three categories sporting over 10 hopefuls and a total of 82 nominees vying for the 11 coveted awards, the GTS Gold Standards Awards evening will be once again hotly contested by the leading golf tourism businesses. As before, GTS members have been able to nominate the contenders and are able to cast their votes online. As a result, the GTS Gold Standard Awards are the only Scottish golf industry honours to be nominated by, and voted for by the industry itself.

And the nominees are…

GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any golf course in Scotland that offers tee-times to visitors. And the nominees are:

Balcomie Links (Crail), Carnoustie Championship,
Castle Stuart Golf Links, Gullane No 2, Kingsbarns Golf Links, Machrihanish Dunes, New Course (St Andrews), North Berwick West Links, Pitlochry, Old Course (St Andrews), Torrance Course (Fairmont St Andrews), Turnberry Ailsa and Western Gailes.

GOLF SECRETARIAT OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any golf club/course whose administration provides a service to visitors and/or the travel trade. And the nominees are:

Brora Golf Club, Carnoustie Golf Links, Crail Golfing Society, Gullane Golf Club, Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield), Kingsbarns Golf Links, North Berwick Golf Club, Prestwick Golf Club, Royal Dornoch Golf Club and St Andrews Links Trust.

CADDIEMASTER OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any caddiemaster providing a service to visitors and/or the travel trade. And the nominees are:

Sam Fox (North Berwick Golf Club), Malcolm Gibson (North Berwick Golf Club), Davie Gilchrist (Kingsbarns Golf Links), Kenny McLeod (Fairmont St Andrews), Doreen Mayes (Crail Golfing Society), Martin Roy (Carnoustie Golf Links) and Robert Thorpe (St Andrews Links Trust).

HOTEL OF THE YEAR (Small hotel/guest house category). Nominations for this category were open to accommodation providers with 20 or fewer bedrooms that provide services to golf visitors. And the nominees are:

Aslar Guest House (St Andrews), Dunvegan Hotel (St Andrews), Glenderran Guest House (St Andrews), Glenmorangie House (Tain), Greyfriars Hotel (St Andrews), Hazelbank Hotel (St Andrews), Highgrove House (Troon), North Berwick Golf Lodge, No 12 Quality Street (North Berwick), Rocpool Reserve (Inverness), Old Loans Inn (Troon), Sandown Guest House (Nairn) and Ugadale Cottages (Machrihanish).

HOTEL OF THE YEAR (Country house hotel category). Nominations for this category were open to hotels and exclusive-use properties operating in rural areas that provide services to golf visitors. And the nominees are:

Culloden House Hotel (Inverness), Fenton Tower (East Lothian), Greywalls Hotel (Gullane), Inn at Lathones (St Andrews), Lochgreen House (Troon), Meldrum House Hotel (Oldmeldrum), Rufflets Country House Hotel (St Andrews) and Udny Arms Hotel (Newburgh).

HOTEL OF THE YEAR (Large hotel category). Nominations for this category were open to hotels with more than 20 bedrooms which provide services to golf visitors. And the nominees are:

Kingsmill Hotel (Inverness), Macdonald Marine Hotel & Spa (North Berwick), Macdonald Rusacks Hotel (St Andrews), Marcliffe Hotel & Spa (Aberdeen), Royal Golf Hotel (Dornoch) and St Andrews Golf Hotel.

HOTEL OF THE YEAR (Resort hotel category). Nominations for this category were open to resort hotels with golf course(s) attached. And the nominees are:

Fairmont St Andrews, Gleneagles Hotel, Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa (St Andrews) and Turnberry Resort.

GOLF TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any tour operator bringing golfers to Scotland . And the nominees are:

Adventures In Golf, Executive Golf & Leisure, Haversham & Baker, Hidden Links, Golf Scotland , Golfers Scotland , Grasshopper Golf, Links Golf St Andrews, Morton Golf Holidays, PerryGolf, Pioneer Golf, Spela-Golf.com and Travelling the Fairways.

TRANSPORT OPERATOR OF THE YEAR. Nominations for this category were open to any business providing transport services in Scotland including rail, road, air and sea. And the nominees are:

Charlton Chauffeur Drive, Executive Travel Company, George Malcolm, McLaren Travel, Mac-Mur Tours,
St Andrews Executive Travel, West Coast Motors (Kintyre Express) and Woods Coaches

Scottish golf strengthens Global presence

In a move designed to bolster international awareness of golf in Scotland, two trade organisations for the golf tourism industry have agreed to a new, collaborative working relationship. The pioneering partnership between Golf Tourism Scotland (GTS) and the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) will assist the Home of Golf in adopting a more pro-active approach to promotion worldwide.

Commenting on the announcement, Lee Derrick, chairman of GTS, said the agreement was the beginning of a new era. “In an increasing competitive market with many fantastic golf courses and resorts to choose from, Scotland more than ever needs to ensure it is seen around the world as a desirable destination where golfers of all levels can play exceptional golf and enjoy a warm welcome. This announcement with IAGTO confirms our new attitude to promoting Scottish golf tourism around the world.”

The new relationship between GTS and IAGTO will create various initiatives, collaborations and opportunities to help drive golf tourism to Scotland and achieve sustainable growth across the country’s many regional golf destinations.

“The golf product in Scotland is exceptional but with greater choice from an ever-growing pool of golf destinations, Scotland must develop even stronger relationships with international golf tour operators and opinion formers if it is to generate sustainable growth in golf tourism,” said Peter Walton, president and CEO of IAGTO. “Our relationship with GTS will ensure that Scotland’s key messages are delivered with even greater clarity to both established and emerging markets, and will help all of Scotland’s many golf destinations adapt effectively to the evolving demands of the golf traveller.”

IAGTO has a number of overseas representatives covering new and time-honoured markets such as USA, Ireland, France, Spain, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and South Africa. The association is therefore well placed to support GTS particularly with familiarisation and press trips. A more immediate upshot of the new partnership is an introductory offer for GTS members to join IAGTO at a discounted rate of up to 72%.

2012 - THE YEAR FOR MACHRIHANISH DUNES!

Two New Luxury Hotels, An Enhanced Top-100 Course – And a Pre-Booking Offer Too Good to Miss

Greetings to all our Tour Operator Friends!

Argyll, Scotland - In our 2012 Tour Operator Guide (click here to download PDF), you'll find lots of exciting news about The Village at Machrihanish Dunes, along with everything you will need to book your clients in with us for an unforgettable experience in 2012 at the quintessential Scottish links golf resort. Here are some of the highlights of what you’ll find in our 2012 Tour Operator Guide:

TWO NEW LUXURY HOTELS!
In early 2012, we’ll add two newly-restored historic hotels to our accommodation offerings with the 23-room Ugadale Hotel in Machrihanish overlooking the first tee at neighboring Machrihanish Golf Club and the 22-room Royal Hotel on Campbeltown Harbour in Campbeltown. Along with our award-winning Ugadale Cottages, they’ll provide lodging that’s second to none for luxury and convenience.
The 2012 Tour Operator Guide has everything you need to know about our new hotels and dining options. Meanwhile, the slide show below will give you a sneak peek at what these grand hotels once looked like, look like today during restoration and what they will look like upon completion.

SPECIAL PRE-BOOKING OFFER

Pre-book 2012 groups before October 15, 2011 and your clients will receive four nights for the price of three, plus two rounds of golf for the price of one (a round on Machrihanish Dunes and the other at famed Machrihanish Golf Club next door).

2012 RATES

In the attached 2012 Tour Operator Guide, you’ll also find all of our rates for guest rooms, golf cottages and golf for 2012. Don’t forget that we offer a 30% commission on rooms and green fees to all our tour operator partners.

COURSE UPDATE

The Machrihanish Dunes golf course, a Top-100 U.K. course which was labeled “the world’s next great golf experience” and a "future classic" is constantly being enhanced. Over the past 6 months, we’ve moved and softened some greens, eliminated acres of primary rough, and shortened walking paths between holes considerably. The course is more playable than ever – and as dramatic and thrilling as any course on Earth.

YOUR NEW MACH DUNES CONTACT PEOPLE

Please welcome Janette Jansson, the new General Manager at Machrihanish Dunes, and Stacy Keys, who will be your on-property Tour Operator liaison. Stacy will answer any questions you have and work with you to ensure that every visit by your clients is a thoroughly enjoyable one. Stacy can be reached via email at stacy@machdunes.com or by phone at +44 (0)1586 810013.

READ ON!
Please download the 2012 Tour Operator Guide for much more – including photos, renderings, room descriptions and other info on our new hotels like a look at our new restaurants and pubs, sample itineraries and lots of other information you’ll want to keep handy. Make sure to save it for future reference!

Thank you for your interest in The Village at Machrihanish Dunes. We look forward to welcoming you - and your clients - soon!

New Contact Details for GTS

Scottish Tourism Forum have recently moved from Edinburgh to Stirling so all correspondence for Golf Tourism Scotland should be directed accordingly to the new address below

Elaine Townsend
Admin Office
Golf Tourism Scotland,
Old Town Jail,
St John Street,
Stirling,
FK8 1EA
t: 01786 459224
f: 01786 451037
e: admin@golftourismscotland.com
www.golftourismscotland.com

Company Registered in Scotland No. SC285639

Old Course Bookings Boost Scottish golf tourism

Visiting golfers’ desire to play the famous Old Course at St Andrews Links shows no sign of abating as applications for the 2012 season flooded in yesterday (Wed).

More than 1800 applications were received by St Andrews Links Trust, which manages the seven courses at the Home of Golf, after the process opened at 10am - an increase on the previous record of 1500 applications set for 2011.

The Old Course is renowned around the world as the place where golf was first played and has hosted 28 Open Championships, more than any other venue, with the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods in its gallery of champions.

The Old Course along with The Castle, New and Jubilee courses has been ranked in the prestigious Golf Digest Top 100 Courses ranking. Each year tens of thousands of golfers travel from around the world to play the famous St Andrews Links courses and experience its rich 600 year heritage.

Golfers are invited to apply online directly to the Trust for Old Course tee times each September for the following year. Although demand exceeds the number of times available, there is a ballot or lottery system in operation, which will run from 48 hours ahead from January 7, 2012, and tee times can be booked on the other Links courses.

Euan Loudon, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said, “We are very encouraged to receive such a high number of tee time applications. Normally in the second year after the Open Championship we would expect to see a fall in applications, but this year has seen record numbers apply. These are still challenging times in terms of the economy so it is important for Scottish golf tourism that we continue to see high numbers of visiting golfers choosing to come here to play. We hope they will enjoy an outstanding experience playing the Old and the other Links courses, learning in the golf academy and relaxing in our clubhouses and shops.”

The tee time applications will be processed in the coming weeks and golfers will be notified directly if their applications have been successful.

St Andrews to Host Golf Industry Oscars

Golf Tourism Scotland has announced the venue for the 2011 Gold Standard Awards - the industry’s premier event for travel, hospitality and golf service providers. After an exhaustive selection process, Golf Tourism Scotland confirmed the 2011 awards ceremony will take place at the award-winning Fairmont St Andrews resort on 3rd November.

The gala evening, which has become an established date in the golfing calendar, will toast the leading exponents of Scotland’s golf tourism sector. Up for grabs will be accolades for this year’s top golf courses, transport and golf tour operators, golf secretariats and caddiemasters. In addition, Scotland’s best golf hotels will be honoured as will the recipients of the GTS Special Achievement Award and the acclaimed Young Industry Person Award.

As the chairman of GTS noted, a Gold Standard Awards night in St Andrews should be one to savour. “The Gold Standard Awards are a celebration of what Scotland does best,” said Lee Derrick. “They are designed to distinguish companies and individuals that excel and embody the very best in golf tourism. As such, they have become the industry’s awards for excellence with the recipients being recognised as leaders in their field. The decision to host the awards night in St Andrews seems particularly fitting considering the award picked up by the Fairmont St Andrews last year. It will certainly be a spectacular end to the season.”

One of the most hotly contested awards last year was that of the hotel resort category which was collected by Graeme Dawson, leisure sales and marketing manager at the Fairmont St Andrews. “Winning the award was a great honour for the hotel, the staff, the people who work on the golf course and everyone throughout all the departments,” he said. “Hosting the Gold Standard Awards will be an equally proud moment as the GTS awards are what we regard as the Oscars for our industry. It promises to be an enjoyable and memorable evening.”

Nominations for the award categories will be announced shortly.