Golf in Scotland is now a £1 billion industry, according to new research conducted by KPMG in association with Oxford Economics.
The ‘Value of Golf to Scotland’s Economy’ report, commissioned by the Scottish Golf Union in conjunction with VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise, found that the industry generates £1.171 billion in revenues, including direct, indirect and induced effects.
More than 20,000 people are employed in golf in Scotland – one in every 125 jobs are dependent on golf – creating wage payments of £300 million.
Once costs are taken into account, golf directly contributes £496 million to Scotland’s gross domestic product (GDP) annually, equivalent to 0.4% of the country’s total economic output.
Hamish Grey, CEO of the Scottish Golf Union, said: “This report clearly demonstrates the significant value of golf to Scotland’s economy. Scottish golf clubs are continuing to operate in challenging conditions, particularly in terms of finance and climate, and the Scottish Golf Union are providing our affiliated clubs with increased support, guidance and help with future business planning to ensure we have stronger clubs in the future to take advantage of the money spent in the industry.
The report focuses on six sectors of the golf industry – golf facility operations, golf course capital investments, golf supplies, golf tournaments and endorsements, golf tourism and golf real estate – and is based on 2011 data.
Other key findings include:
• There are more than 600 golf facilities in Scotland, of which 597 are golf courses (2011)
• In total, golf facilities support more than 12,300 jobs
• Sales of golf supplies (equipment, apparel and accessories) resulted in revenues of £157 million
• In 2011, golf tournaments and endorsements generated total revenues of £46 million. (The Open Championship was not played in Scotland in 2011. The R&A forecasts the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield will deliver an economic benefit of approximately £70 million to the East Lothian and Edinburgh region)
• Golf tourism generated £120 million in revenues for the Scottish economy.
For more information and to download a copy of the report, visit: www.golfbusinesscommunity.com