News

Concerns that the 172,000 strong crowd at The Open Championship – a record for Carnoustie – last July was too low for golf’s governing body have been bunkered by Chief Executive Martin Slumbers in a statement issued.

Giving his seal of approval to the Championship Course he was confident that Carnoustie was capable of attracting upwards of 200,000 the next time it is held in Angus.

Quashing rumours that Carnoustie might be removed from The Open rota, Mr Slumbers went on to say “Last year was the record numbers we’ve ever had at Carnoustie and I think for anyone who watched those four rounds of golf around that course, that was pretty special.  I think that bringing the enhanced marketing and sales capabilities that we’ve built over the last three years will grow the number of spectators up at Carnoustie quite significantly.  Going back there, I would expect it to go up again, as we are getting better and better at attracting people to come to it.”

He further added “There needs to be more overseas visitors, there’s a smaller number of overseas visitors at Carnoustie than St Andrews, or at Birkdale, and that will be a challenge.  But no, Carnoustie can handle 200,000, and the golf course can certainly handle the best players in the world.”

This year the iconic Open Championship is being held at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the first time it has been held there since 1951.