New sponsor for Scottish Open
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ABERDEEN Asset Management has been revealed as the new title sponsor of the Scottish Open.
Scottish Government funding is also in place, securing the future of the tournament for the next three years.
European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady, Aberdeen Asset Management Chief Executive Martin Gilbert and the First Minister Alex Salmond revealed the agreement at a press conference in Edinburgh Castle.
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.
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 sponsorship will be played at Castle Stuart Golf Links near Inverness from July 12-15.
The three year agreement will also see the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open take its place on The European Tour International Schedule in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
The agreement with Castle Stuart is a three year one, split into two guaranteed years with an option to continue for a third year, and therefore no decision will be taken about the venue for 2013 or 2014 until the conclusion of this year’s event.
George O’Grady said: "We are delighted to welcome Aberdeen Asset Management, an eminent global company based in Scotland, as title sponsor of the Scottish Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule which, this year, will once again be played on the spectacular links layout at Castle Stuart.
"We are also extremely pleased to welcome Scottish Government support. This commitment is another example of Scotland’s strong backing for European Tour events, and is part of the strong partnership that has developed in the build-up to The 2014 Ryder Cup."
Aberdeen Asset sponsors European Tour members Martin Laird and Paul Lawrie and leading female professional Catriona Matthew, in addition to the backing of the Scottish Men’s and Ladies amateur golf teams.
Martin Gilbert said: "We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. As a loyal supporter of Scottish golf for nearly 15 years, we are proud to be involved in sponsoring this globally recognised tournament."
Last year saw Castle Stuart Golf Links become the seventh Scottish course to host the tournament since 1972; following in the footsteps of Downfield, St Andrews, Haggs Castle, Gleneagles, Carnoustie and Loch Lomond.
The Inverness venue – co-designed by managing partner Mark Parsinen and golf course architect Gil Hanse – debuted at number 56 in Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World and received universal praise last July for the test it provided the world’s best golfers.
Wordl no.1 Luke Donald was last year's winner and he has already confirmed he will be back to defend his title.
"The Scottish Open is one of the favoured tournaments on The European Tour and I can’t wait to get back there," he said.
"Staging the event on a links course encourages a better field and to have some preparation on this type of course the week before The Open is what everyone is looking for."
Mr Salmond said: "The Scottish Open is one of the flagship events on The European Tour as well as a jewel in the crown of the Scottish sporting calendar that attracts keen interest from golf fans across the world."
"I am therefore delighted to announce that Scottish Government funding, alongside major sponsorship from Aberdeen Asset Management, has helped secure the future of this prestigious tournament for Scotland.
"This fantastic event brings significant benefits to the whole of Scotland, both in terms of tourism revenue and the priceless television exposure around the world to golfers and others interested in travelling to our shores. Last year’s tournament alone was worth more than £5m to the Scottish economy.
