Scottish Golf Passport given historic stamp of approval

A new passport scheme has been launched to encourage golfers to explore Scotland, the Home of Golf.

Musselburgh local Alan Webb chose the historic Old Course in the East Lothian town to unveil his new Scottish Golf Passport.

Montrose Links - 450 years old in 2012
Scottish Golf - a passport to pleasure

Historic stamp of approval
The Musselburgh Old Links course is the “oldest golf course in the world,” according to The Guinness Book of World Records with historical records authenticating the fact golf was played there in 1672.

Other sources have been interpreted to show that Mary Queen of Scots played golf on the site as early as 1567.

It is also home to the World Hickory Open, and golfers can visit the course, dress up in traditional plus-fours and play golf with hickory shafted clubs.

This passport is different to some golf-pass schemes which offer you discounted rates at a cluster of courses if you buy a pass for the duration of your visit.

Something to keep for life
Webb’s idea is that the pass stays with through your whole golfing career and is used as a keepsake and a memento of your golfing travels.

Mr. Webb told The Scotsman newspaper: “The idea is that people get the passport stamped at every place they play and also every place they visit.”

It seems the scheme has some powerful backing with Peter Alliss, the “voice of golf” and a BBC golf commentary legend, among the first to sign up.

“Peter Alliss has a passport. Just imagine what his would have been like if he’d been given something like that at the age of 18 – the places he’s played golf and also the watering holes he’s visited over the years,” he added.

The passport costs £19.80, which includes a golfing insurance policy. Webb is aiming to sell around 20,000 in the first year.

Plans are underway to roll out a special junior passport with a donation from each sale being made to encourage golf at grass-roots level.

“We are hoping we can encourage people to take up the sport and get them out to play,” said Webb.

For more on the Scottish Golf Passport

 

 

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.