Ryder Cup 2012 Sets Pulses Racing for Gleneagles Two Years On
As the arrival of New Year sets pulses racing at the thought of the build up to the Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, near Chicago, Illinois on September 25-30, so the longer-distance anticipation of Gleneagles, also begins to ferment.
After Chicago, the 40th staging of the tournament that touched new levels of sporting theatre in Wales in 2010, will take place in two years time at the sublime Scottish location of elegant facilities and wooded hills and valley on September 26th to 28th September 2014.
Public awareness that Scotland stages the next-but-one Ryder Cup arrived recently with the news that Global alcoholic beverage company, Diageo, has been named as an official partner at Gleneagles. The Edinburgh-based firm will use its portfolio of brands to promote the famous biennial golf event in over 180 countries around the world in partnership with Ryder Cup Europe.
Gleneagles’ owners, Diageo have a portfolio that includes popular drinks such as Baileys, Jose Cuervo, Captain Morgan, Smirnoff and scotch whiskey brand Johnnie Walker, which will play a central role in promoting the event.
The company's partnership with the Ryder Cup began in the 1980s, when its Johnnie Walker brand first served as the presenting sponsor for the 1989 edition.
Announcing the deal on behalf of Diageo was Peter Lederer, chairman of the Gleneagles Hotel. He said: “We are already tremendously excited to be hosting The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014 and we are determined to make this event a major success for the whole of Scotland. Adding Johnnie Walker as a global brand which is exported to over 180 markets around the world, can only help us achieve that goal.”
“Diageo, Johnnie Walker and Gleneagles Hotel have a long and proud history of supporting golf in Scotland and there couldn’t be a stronger team than the world’s number one Scotch whisky, the world’s number one team golf event, The Ryder Cup, and Scotland’s finest hotel golf resort, Gleneagles.”
An additional aspect of the partnership will see Diageo work with Clubgolf – the Scottish junior golf development agency – to help promote participation in golf across Scotland.
“Gleneagles and Diageo have a strong record in supporting youth golf development in Scotland and we are determined to use this sponsorship to contribute to the long-term positive legacy The Ryder Cup generates for Scotland and Scottish golf,” added Lederer.
Richard Hills, European Ryder Cup director, said: “We are delighted that Diageo and Johnnie Walker are making a welcome return to The Ryder Cup at the highest level, playing an active role in helping Ryder Cup Europe to put on a world class event in 2014 at Gleneagles, the course owned by Diageo.”
“It is important to have a strong Scottish brand on board for The Ryder Cup in 2014 and Diageo recognises the importance the event will have on Scotland and Scottish golf and will work with us to provide a lasting legacy.”
While financial terms of the deal were not released, according to Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister, hosting the Ryder Cup will generate up to £100 million for the country's economy.
