Scotland tees up for golf Open

This year, for the first time in its history, the high profile event will be staged near Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland, moving from its previous location on the banks of Loch Lomond.

Castle Stuart, a relative newcomer to the international stage, is a traditional links course on the shores of the Moray Firth. This is the furthest north the European Tour has ever ventured and it is planning to stage the event there for the next three years at least.

The tournament, played from 7 - 10 July, will be the main focus of golfing attention ahead of the Open Championship which this year will be held in the south of England.

Another golfing highlight in the sporting calendar, the Women’s British Open, takes place at Carnoustie on the east coast of Scotland at the end of the month.

Scotland is the Home of Golf and big crowds are expected for both tournaments.

Taking part in the Scottish Open are the world’s top two players, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, both from England. They head a field which includes Major champions South African Retief Goosen and Argentinian Angel Cabrera. Scotland home challenge will be led by Martin Laird and former Open champion Paul Lawrie.

Previous Scottish Open winner and 2011 competitor South African Ernie Els said:

"I’ve always looked forward to this tournament and now that it’s moved from Loch Lomond to this new links layout it also happens to be the perfect preparation for the Open at Royal St George’s.

"From what I've seen, Castle Stuart looks like a spectacular golf course. I'm excited about playing there."

Inverness will be draped in carnival bunting for the four days of the tournament as it promotes its status as Capital of the Highlands to a worldwide audience.

Women's British Open 2011

As the only women’s Major to be played outside the USA, the Women’s British Open is one of the most significant events in women’s professional golf. Golfers from more than 20 nations are due to take in this year's tournament. Top players including defending champion Taiwan's Yani Tseng, 2009 winner Scot Catriona Matthew and Michelle Wie, from the USA, will be competing at this year’s event at Carnoustie.

The town on the east coast of Scotland is a fitting stage for the event as it is home to the oldest surviving ladies’ club in the world.

July 28 to 31 will see the Women’s Open being played over the Championship Course, almost 138 years after Carnoustie Ladies’ Golf Club was first established.

Scotland the Home of Golf

Scotland is the Home of Golf. As Jack Nicklaus once put it: 'Scotland is golf'!' With over 550 courses to choose from it's not difficult to understand why the sport has become somewhat of a national obsession.

For the golf enthusiast this offers more courses than days in the year to play them. Perhaps of most renown though are Scotland's illustrious links courses - the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Muirfield and Turnberry - which regularly play host to the British Open, and have produced some of the most memorable and awe-inspiring golfing moments. Wherever you decide to play, a round of golf in Scotland will undoubtedly become a treasured memory.

Ryder Cup 2014

Scotland's reputation as the Home of Golf will be in the spotlight like never before as Gleneagles hosts the 40th Ryder Cup in 2014. It will be the first time in more than 40 years that the tournament has been staged in Scotland, and the 2014 tournament is expected to attract up to 45,000 spectators each day. The countdown has well and truly begun.

Focus on Castle Stuart Golf Links

Castle Stuart, which will provide the stage for the 2011 Scottish Open, is one of the newest golf courses in Scotland. Situated between Inverness and Nairn on Scotland’s Moray Firth coast, it was voted the Best New Course for 2009 by Golf Magazine USA. It was described in the December 2010 issues of Golf Digest USA as ‘the most perfectly conceived and executed design ever built.'