The Ryder Cup will reap a £100m boost for Scotland's economy when it comes to Gleneagles in 2014 , it has been claimed – five times the amount that is being spent on staging golf's most prestigious team event.
Sports Minister Shona Robison, who is part of a delegation of government officials led by First Minister Alex Salmond in Chicago for the battle between the US and Europe which begins tomorrow, insisted the figures represent "good value for money".
Golf tourism is worth £220m annually to the Scottish economy, and the industry supports 4400 jobs. Experts estimate every £1 spent on green fees generates £5 on extras such as food and accomodation.
Ms Robison said: "For around about a £20m outlay we will be getting hopefully £100m-plus back to Scotland, to the local economy. We think that's pretty good value for money."
The SNP hope staging the tournament in Scotland in 2014, so soon after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, will boost their bid to achieve independence at the referendum that autumn.
Mr Salmond, a keen golfer, is helping push the Scottish marketing campaign to a worldwide TV audience, estimated at 500 million across 183 countries.
He will meet business leaders during his week-long stay and deliver a keynote speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He will also attend a performance of the traditional music festival Celtic Connections, before being given a silver putter during a handover ceremony at the close of play at the Medinah Country Club on Sunday, marking the official handover to Scotland.
VisitScotland has also enlisted Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis and violin virtuoso Nicola Benedetti, to perform at the closing ceremony. Ms Fowlis said: "Golf is such an important part of Scotland's identity and I am delighted to help promote the country to the world."
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