Junior Ryder Cup ‘exceeds expectations’

. 3,500 plus fans attend Junior Ryder Cup
. Bradley Neil draws large home following
. Blairgowrie to work with Gleneagles

Last week’s Junior Ryder Cup at Blairgowrie Golf Club ‘exceeded expectations’, a club official told bunkered.co.uk.

Crowds of over 3,500 people poured into the Perthshire club to watch the Ryder Cup stars of the future, with spectators lining the 18th in lines ‘three or four deep’.

“We marketed the event as widely as possible and got members and their friends and family to buy into the whole event,” said Douglas Cleeton, managing secretary at Blairgowrie Golf Club. “I think the event exceeded expectations.”

“We had in excess of 3,500 spectators on both play days and over the practice days we had about 1,000 overall. We’ve never before seen the 18th hole lined from tee to green three or four deep, which is quite something.”

Cleeton believes the presence of Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year Bradley Neil was a ‘considerable’ factor in the large attendances, as was the hard work carried out by Blairgowrie’s members.

Read more –> Bradley Neil takes top awards

“Bradley Neil had a considerable impact. People who are non golfers but who knew the family came along,” said Blairgowrie’s managing secretary. “With him being a local boy it gives added press to the event. I think he’s got to continue to work hard and he will achieve his goals.”

“Member interaction went a long way to making sure it was a success. It was a big team effort.” – Douglas Cleeton

Unfortunately, those at Blairgowrie Golf Club weren’t treated to a European win as the USA secured their fourth Junior Ryder Cup triumph in a row, winning 16-8. However, in terms of the event as a whole, they couldn’t have wished for more.

“Club Golf, one of our main partners, bought into the event and with local and national media we were able to promote the event as widely as possible. Member interaction went a long way to making sure it was a success. It was a big team effort.

“There’s not one single thing we could have done differently. There’s obviously upheaval for the members and their cooperation is absolutely appreciated.”

Junior Ryder Cup gives Blairgowrie hope for the future

Both the main event at Gleneagles and the Junior Ryder Cup proved to be a success. As a result, those at Blairgowrie Golf Club are keen to make sure their club becomes a must visit for those who want to experience a flavour of the 2014 Ryder Cup.

“We can take a direct impact from the fact we have greater visitor numbers than ever before in September as host of the Junior Ryder Cup and following on the back of the Ryder Cup,” said Cleeton.

“What we have done is work with Gleneagles and many other partners in the golf tourism industry to make sure the Junior Ryder Cup course gets recognition.” – Douglas Cleeton

“We have worked very closely with Gleneagles and, although we aren’t going to try and punch above our weight in terms of Gleneagles and the international stature that they have, what we have done is work with Gleneagles and many other partners in the golf tourism industry to make sure the Junior Ryder Cup course gets recognition from those who come to see the Ryder Cup. We are benefiting from that quite considerably.”

header picture courtesy of @juniorrydercup