RECORD crowds of more than 90,000 turned out to watch the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles at the weekend – making it the highest attended women’s golf event ever held in the UK.

The thrilling event, which was won by in dramatic fashion by Team Europe, captained by Scot Catriona Matthew, also shone a spotlight on Perth & Kinross and Scotland as a world-class and accessible tourism destination with images beamed around the world, VisitScotland said.

Highlights for the week of the tournament included more than 5000 junior admissions; some 13,487 spectators through taking part in golf zone activities; and an innovative accessibility programme with fully accessible viewing areas and free to hire mobility scooters

There was more than 3000 hours of broadcast coverage in 200 territories around the world and more than 6000 spectators at the live televised Opening Ceremony headlined by Scottish band Texas.

Paul Bush, director of events at VisitScotland, said: “We set out four years ago to deliver an event that would take the Solheim Cup to the next level and there can be no question that we have achieved that.

“Not only have we seen record crowds for a women’s golf event in the UK, we have set a new benchmark for accessibility and inclusion as well as the quality and scale of infrastructure.”

Bush added: “Anyone who witnessed it can be left in no doubt that it was a major event and one which proves that Scotland delivers on the international stage.

“We have provided an outstanding platform for the continued growth of women’s golf and women’s sport. Our thanks go to the many partners and stakeholders who have helped deliver this world-class event, specifically our partner IMG which did an incredible job in delivering our ambitions for the event.”

Ross Hallett, executive tournament director at IMG: “Our 50-strong global IMG events team is extremely proud to have played such a key role in delivering this world-class event. This amazing journey started for IMG more than four years ago and to see our work play out to such a thrilling climax to a global audience was very satisfying.”