The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open has won one of the top sporting accolades for 2012 at the Sunday Mail and sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards.
Greats from the world of Scottish sport assembled at Glasgow’s Thistle Hotel for the glittering annual awards ceremony, hosted by Scottish television presenters Kelly Cates and Rob Maclean, to recognise the outstanding achievements and successes across the sporting spectrum in 2012.
The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, played at the magnificent Castle Stuart Golf Links near Inverness, was named as the Sporting Event of the Year, sponsored by EventScotland – the first time a European Tour championship has received this prestigious award.
Over 63,000 spectators witnessed a world class field compete for one of the Tour’s leading titles, with India’s Jeev Milkha Singh eventually prevailing over Italian Ryder Cup player Francesco Molinari after a sudden-death play-off at the climax of a tremendous week on the Moray Firth coastline.
Peter Adams, Championship Director of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, and Ryder Cup hero Paul Lawrie, who is Aberdeen Asset Management’s longest-standing global golf ambassador, jointly accepted the award from EventScotland’s Events Director Stuart Turner, Rangers FC captain Lee McCulloch.
Adams commented: “We are delighted and honoured to accept this high profile award on behalf of everyone associated with the tournament and who helped to make the 2012 edition at Castle Stuart so successful and enjoyable for the players and public alike. We thank the Sunday Mail, sportscotland and EventScotland for their continued support.”
The Sporting Event of the Year was one of several awards presented to Scotland’s leading sportsmen, sportswomen and teams during an entertaining evening, highlights of which were broadcast on Scottish Television last night (Sunday).
Paul Bush, CEO of EventScotland, Scotland’s national events agency, said: “As the Home of Golf, it is entirely fitting that Scotland plays host to the leading events on the golfing calendar and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is undoubtedly one of those.
“There are a large number of great sporting events held every year in Scotland and at EventScotland we are privileged to witness many of these at close quarters. But the success of the 2012 Scottish Open is a phenomenal achievement, particularly in a difficult economic climate, and I would like to congratulate and thank everyone associated with the event for their hard work and dedication. I also look forward to returning to Castle Stuart in July 2013 for what promises to be an even bigger and better event than in 2012.”
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, commented: “To receive this award in year one of our sponsorship of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed working alongside the other event partners to make the tournament a success and I think I speak for everyone when I say we look forward to building on this year’s success and making 2013 at Castle Stuart even bigger and better.”
Tennis star Andy Murray was named Scottish Sports Personality of the Year, Olympic rower Katherine Grainger earned the Inspiration Award and cycling’s Sir Chris Hoy received the Lifetime Achievement Award with the Team of the Year accolade going to Team GB’s Olympians and Paralympians.
The award-winning Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open takes place once again at Castle Stuart from July 11-14, 2013 and spectators can now purchase tickets to this superb tournament at discounted prices before the New Year.
A season ticket for all four days can be bought for £60 before 31st December, a saving of £10 on next year’s pre-tournament prices and £20 on admission at the gate. Adult day tickets are priced at £25 before 31st December, rising to £30 pre-event and £35 on the gate.
Concessions (60 and over) start at £40 for a season ticket and £15 for any one day tickets if purchased this year. Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge and all car parking is also free. Reserved grandstand seating can also be purchased immediately for the Saturday (£10) and the Sunday (£15) of the event. Hospitality packages are also available.
Full ticket information can be foundhereorhereor telephone Ticket Hotline: +440800 023 2557. Postal enquiries should be sent to: European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123 Renfrew Court Three, Paisley, PA3 4EA.
