Council welcomes new sponsors of Scottish Open

The Highland Council has warmly welcomed today’s news that global investment management group, Aberdeen Asset Management plc  is the new title sponsor of the Scottish Golf Open, being held at Castle Stuart, near Inverness, between 12-15 July 2012.

The Convener of the Highland Council, Councillor Sandy Park was at Edinburgh Castle for the announcement by European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady CBE, Aberdeen Asset Management Chief Executive Martin Gilbert and the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, Scotland’s First Minister.

Councillor Park said:  “This is really great news for the Highlands.  We were delighted to support the event in its first year and we recently agreed to commit £33,000 of funding for each of the next two years. This recognises the huge spin off benefits for golf fans and local businesses.

"An economic impact study of last year’s event at Castle Stuart revealed that £3.7 million was injected  into the local economy with a multi-million global TV audience seeing the world’s best golfers against the backdrop of the stunning Highland scenery. I am sure this year’s event will be even more successful and the Council is pleased to be part of it."

As well as Aberdeen Asset Management’s title sponsorship, the package includes Scottish Government funding to ensure the tournament continues to bring economic and sporting benefits to the whole of Scotland and helps nurture the next generation of golfing talent by linking the event to a programme of junior golf activities. This funding will also help the Scottish Government meet its obligations to back European Tour tournaments in the run-up to The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

The prize fund for the 2012 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be £2.5 million rising to a minimum of £3 million for the 2013 and 2014 tournaments.

The first tournament under the new title of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be played this summer at Castle Stuart Golf Links near Inverness from July 12-15, with the three year agreement seeing the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open also take its place on The European Tour International Schedule in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.