Local economy set for Turnberry ‘Tonic’
Posted: 8 July 2009
With thousands of spectators from all over the world set to descend on Turnberry for four days of world-class golf, local council and business leaders believe that The Open Championship 2009 will provide a major boost to the economy.
World number one Tiger Woods, reigning champion Padraig Harrington, and Race to Dubai leader Paul Casey will be among the competitors on the enhanced Ailsa course, widely viewed as one of the best links courses in the world, from July 16–19 as Turnberry plays host to the world’s oldest Open Championship for the fourth time.
Turnberry has previously staged The Open Championship in 1977, 1986 and 1994, but returns to The R&A’s staging rota this year following major investment by South Ayrshire council in surrounding road infrastructure.
To ensure that Turnberry can also compete with any golf venue in the world, new owners Leisurecorp, a division of Dubai-based Nakheel Leisure, has also embarked on a multi-million pound refurbishment to restore the iconic resort to its former glory.
An unprecedented scale of work has taken place involving more than 40,000 man hours and at times more than 350 workers on-site, to get the hotel ready for The Open Championship, while a program of enhancements to the world famous Ailsa golf course was also completed at the start of the year.
South Ayrshire Councillor, Margaret Toner, Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure Portfolio Holder, believes The Open, which was first played in 1860 at Prestwick, can play a vital role in attracting visitors to the region both during and after the championship.
“The Open Championship is one of the world’s premier annual sporting events which attracts golfers and supporters from all over the world,” said Toner. “It helps to boost our local economy and will put the spotlight firmly on South Ayrshire once again. It will be a memorable occasion for visitors and local people.
“People from around the globe will watch The Open Championship on television and will be able to see the magnificent course, surrounding scenery and views over the Firth of Clyde. I believe that many people will be inspired to come and visit South Ayrshire after watching the Championship on television.”
Norman Geddes, executive chairman of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle, an association founded in 2007 by some of the top companies added, “It is a marvellous tonic for Ayrshire businesses to have The Open Championship return to Turnberry.”
Leisurecorp, which purchased the 103-year-old resort in 2008, has committed close to £40million to the first phase of the project, but has a long-term commitment to restore the hotel to its rightful place as the premier property in the West of Scotland. A second phase of investment in the property will begin following The Open Championship.
