A NEW initiative has been teed up to boost golf tourism in Scotland’s north-east. GolfAberdeenshire will bring together golf courses, hotels and tour operators in a bid to will raise the profile of the area as a mecca for domestic and international golfers.

A new position has been created to support this work. A golf development executive who will build relationships with the golf industry, collaborate with all partners including accommodation providers, and represent the region at international and domestic golf events, exhibitions and shows.

Steve Harris, chief executive of VisitAberdeenshire said: “GolfAberdeenshire will draw on the region’s rich golfing heritage; attracting more visitors to play golf on our magnificent courses, while also looking forward as it encourages partners to work more collaboratively.

“We have already lined up a presence at two internationally recognised golf events, the PGA Exhibition in Orlando in January 2018 and at the Northern Ireland Open in August 2017 in Ballymena.

“We’ll interact with golfers, group buyers and tour operators from across the globe to sell what is a world-class golf offering.

Independent research by KPMG shows that the golf industry is worth £1.1 billion to Scotland’s economy, Aberdeenshire has 55 courses, all within an hour’s drive. Andy Burgess, interim chairman of GolfAberdeenshire, said: “There is great scope to increase the economic benefits golf brings to Aberdeenshire."