Gleneagles welcomes Ryder Cup to Scotland

Paul Lawrie brought the Ryder Cup to Gleneagles to begin the countdown to 2014

The Ryder Cup has arrived at Gleneagles to mark the return of the coveted trophy to Scotland.

The competition will be held at the Perthshire resort in 2014, the first time it has been held on Scottish soil almost 40 years.

Aberdonian golfer Paul Lawrie handed the trophy over to Gleneagles Chief Executive Patrick Elsmie to mark the countdown to the event.

Scotland's economy is expected benefit by £100m by hosting the Ryder Cup.

Lawrie, who played a key role in helping the European team to retain the Ryder Cup at Medinah at the weekend, made the stop at Gleneagles before making his way to St Andrew's for the Dunhill Links Championship which begins on Thursday.

Spurring event

He said was delighted to see the cup return to Scotland: "This is the home of golf and it somehow feels right to be taking the trophy, and all it represents, to Gleneagles.

"I have never experienced anything like that final day in Medinah, but being involved has spurred me on to hopefully play a part in Team Europe at Gleneagles 2014.

"It will be a really special event and I hope I can do enough to be in contention."

Patrick Elsmie, managing director of Gleneagles, said it was an honour to host the Ryder Cup: "The Medinah Country Club set an incredibly high bar in hosting a truly memorable Ryder Cup, but the scenes in Chicago also demonstrated just why we were so keen to host this amazing sporting event.

"Seeing the trophy here at Gleneagles today brings home the fact that it's Scotland's turn next, and that the countdown to the 2014 Matches has begun.

"It is going to be a wonderful time for Scotland, and we at Gleneagles will ensure the tradition, class and theatre of The Ryder Cup are celebrated in style."

Economic boost

The event is expected to be one of the largest ever hosted in the country with the Scottish government spending about £20m to stage the match.

It is anticipated that over the week of the competition an additional £100 million will come into the Scottish economy.

About 250,000 people are expected to travel to Perthshire to attend the event, with an estimated half a billion households watching it on television.

Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills said: "Medinah was epic and has given Scotland a real taste of what to expect in two years' time.

Bringing the trophy back to the Home of Golf is the perfect way to continue Team Europe's celebrations."

First Minister Alex Salmond said the arrival of the cup meant that the countdown to the 2014 tournament had begun.

Increased expectations

Mr Salmond said: "The Ryder Cup is going to bring enormous economic benefits to Scotland.

"Before last weekend in Medinah it was estimated that 2014 would pump £100m into the local and wider Scottish economy during the tournament week alone.

"However, last weekend showed us that the Ryder Cup continues to grow in scale tournament-by-tournament. Scotland's Ryder Cup in 2014 is now likely to be even bigger than we have anticipated up to now."