CNN
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It remains to be seen whether football will return home for England at the World Cup in Qatar next month, but for neighboring Scotland golf is officially – and finally – back in its homeland.
Having hosted the game for nearly six centuries, ‘the home of golf’ – as Scotland is known – has been recognized as the world’s best golf destination for the first time ever at the ninth edition of the World Golf Awards. annuals in Abu Dhabi this week.
Despite its legendary St. Andrews Old Course’s dominance in the Best Golf Course in the World category – with five consecutive wins after the award was created – Scotland has never been recognized as the sport’s top destination.
Portugal had held the iron title for the first five years of the award, before an Australia win was sandwiched between Vietnam wins in 2019 and 2021.
Yet after a historic year, in which Scottish courses hosted two historic major tournaments – the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews and the first-ever Women’s Open at Muirfield – the country finally won the prize, along with the prize of the best golf. Destination in Europe.
The only European contender for the world prize, Scotland edged out rival nominees Argentina, Australia, Canada, Dubai, Jamaica, Morocco and last year’s winner Vietnam.
The Scottish golf industry is worth over $1.3bn (£1.1bn), with an annual golf tourism market grossing $339m (£286m) and supporting over 4 000 jobs, according to Visit Scotland.
“These awards are a fitting end to another special year for golf in Scotland and fantastic recognition for all those who work so hard to develop and enhance our reputation as the home of golf,” said the Managing Director of Visit. Scotland, Malcolm Roughead.
“Golf tourism is a major boost to the economy and raises Scotland’s profile internationally.”
In October, the legendary Alfred Dunhill Links Championship saw professionals and celebrities circling St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns – three of Scotland’s flagship golf courses which attract nearly 220,000 annual golf visitors to the country, according to Visit Scotland.
“Scottish golf tourism is booming and Scotland is a must-visit destination for most golfers around the world,” added Dermot Synnott, Global Partnership Director for the World Golf Awards.
“It offers a huge range of park and link options in all of its regions, so the traveling golfer is truly spoiled for choice.”
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, New York, has been crowned the best golf course in the world, continuing a strong American run after back-to-back victories for Augusta National.
Meanwhile, JA The Resort Golf Course in Dubai won the award for best nine-hole golf course and Costa Navarino in Greece was recognized as the best emerging golf destination in the world.