TWO golf enthusiasts have launched a “golf adventure company” to open up access to some of Scotland’s more remote courses
Bravo Whisky Golf was created by friends Paul Geddes and Neil Scott Johnson in a bid to bring some of Scotland’s “hidden gem courses” to the thriving golf tourism market.
Exclusive golf journeys will take select groups on private chartered flights on tours to discover some of the most “dramatic, challenging and memorable courses in the country”.
As well as taking in world-famous courses, Bravo Whisky Golf visitors can quickly “island-hop” by air, using a private chartered plane, to tackle scenic far-flung courses which rarely feature on typical golf tours.
It means they can experience remote courses designed by Old Tom Morris in the Western Isles, challenging their swing surrounded by Highland scenery and conquering demanding links courses which test the world’s greatest golfers.
As well as experiencing top-end accommodation and refined dining from Scotland’s bountiful natural larder, guests can enjoy tailored events offering an “authentic and inspired” flavour of Scottish hospitality – making journeys ideal for non-golfers too.
These include castle banquet dining with a laird, exclusive behind-the-scenes whisky distillery tours and expert-led tastings, and private dinner and accommodation on board the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Bravo Whisky Golf is targeting Scotland’s booming golf tour sector which currently attracts around 16,000 visitors every year and is worth £286 million to the Scottish economy.
The Scottish Golf Tourism Development Strategy 2013-2020 has ambitions to make Scotland the “world’s leading golfing destination” by 2020, valued at £300m.
According to recent VisitScotland research, around half of Scotland’s golfing visitors – 47% – travel from overseas, with North Americans dominating the market.
Bravo Whisky Golf’s founders say they were inspired to create the bespoke adventures to appeal to passionate golfers and sport enthusiasts seeking fresh challenges away from the beaten track, but with limited time to spare.
“Scotland is internationally recognised as the home of golf with almost 600 courses, yet many golfers spend their visit being ferried in buses often to a handful of well-known courses,” said Paul Geddes, who met co-founder Neil Scott Johnson while students at Aberdeen University.
“Life is short and it’s not worth wasting it on a coach journey when you could be enjoying spectacular golf in an amazing location.
“Some of the best bits of Scotland are miles from the well-trodden paths and can be hard to reach. We wanted to offer golfers – and non-golfers too – the chance to hop on a flight to the outer edges of our country and see it in all its spectacular glory.”
Neil Scott Johnson, a member of both North Berwick and Royal Portrush Golf Courses, added: “It will allow the independently minded golfer to experience the game on the outer edges of Scotland.”
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