Scottish Open work begins now
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE sleepless nights have not come yet, but Stuart McColm and Fraser Cromarty expect they will.
Hardly surprising given two of the main men at Castle Stuart Golf Links have the responsibility of hosting the course’s first major golfing event.
The Barclays Scottish Open pitches up on the shores of the Moray Firth on Thursday, 7th July for four days after it was announced in January that Castle Stuart would replace Loch Lomond as host of this prestigious tournament.
Since then, the work has really began for Castle Stuart’s general manager McColm, and sales and marketing director Cromarty.
There is much to do in a shorter time period than would normally be made available to courses selected to host major competitions, so rather than focus on the task in hand, what about when everyone has gone home? Will the feeling be one of vindication at the hard graft and dedication both men have lavishly poured into creating a venue which is quickly becoming not just one of the best known in Scotland, but worldwide?
“There better be,” said McColm. “If there’s not, then we’re in trouble.”
Whatever the aftermath of the Scottish Open, Cromarty insists both of them will not be patting themselves on the back for too long.
“Knowing how we operate, we’ll assess it and then be looking at ways we can improve,” he said. “We certainly will not be resting on any laurels — absolutely not.”
Therein lies the ethos that Castle Stuart has been built upon. The pursuit of perfection may be an endless one, but McColm and Cromarty want to get as near as possible to that every day, not just when the European Tour and the Scottish Open rolls into town.
“We’re trying to keep our feet on the ground just now as much as we can. Everyone is just doing what they need to do,” said McColm.
“The challenge for us in this process has been not taking our focus off our daily customer.
“What you have to remember is that we are not a members’ golf club. We offer a visitors’ experience and if we lose sight of this in the build up to the tournament then we are not doing them any justice at all.
“My role in the team is to ensure that the customer is looked after in the way he expects for the prices he is paying.”
Fortunately, for McColm and Cromarty, the responsibilities of a major golfing tournament do not rest entirely on their shoulders.
Officials from the European Tour visit Castle Stuart frequently to discuss the infrastructure of hosting the Scottish Open and making sure everyone from the humble spectator to those enjoying the finery of corporate hospitality are well catered for.
The support of neighbouring golf clubs in providing stewards has also been welcomed, but the positivity from those in the Highlands that an event which will be viewed by millions worldwide is right on the doorstep has also given cause for great encouragement.
“This is something for the whole of the Highlands to embrace,” he said. “If they get behind it and support it then the spin-offs could be huge.
“To be fair, the area does seem to be very upbeat about it all.
“I can’t seem to go anywhere these days without someone asking me how it’s all going, which is great because it shows people are excited about it.”
Designed by Mark Parsinen, who was previously involved at Kingsbarns, and American Gil Hanse, the links at Castle Stuart was finally completed in 2009.
In two years it has come a long way, probably more than many expected, but the challenge still lies with McColm and his team to promote its plush clubhouse, a wonderful course and spectacular views.
“We had players come up for a tournament from England recently and they were all really impressed by what Inverness has to offer,” said McColm.
“I have noticed that Inverness has changed so much in recent years and that’s something I believe we should be doing more to get out there.
“I don’t think it’s until you get people here that they begin to see exactly what Inverness has to offer with its great services.
“The challenge for us is just to get people here. Once they are here, they are sold, so having a major event like the Scottish Open can only help us.”
