Press Releases

30 March 2012 - Group

Aberdeen Asset Management announced as title sponsor of the Scottish Open

European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady CBE, Aberdeen Asset Management Chief Executive Martin Gilbert and the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, Scotland’s First Minister, revealed details of the three year agreement at a press conference held in the historic setting of the Queen Anne Room in Edinburgh Castle.

As well as Aberdeen Asset Management’s title sponsorship, the package includes Scottish Government funding to ensure the tournament continues to bring economic and sporting benefits to the whole of Scotland and helps nurture the next generation of golfing talent by linking the event to a programme of junior golf activities. This funding will also help the Scottish Government meet its obligations to back European Tour tournaments in the run-up to The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

The prize fund for the 2012 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be £2.5 million rising to a minimum of £3 million for the 2013 and 2014 tournaments.

The first tournament under the new title of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will be played this summer at Castle Stuart Golf Links near Inverness from July 12-15, with the three year agreement seeing the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open also take its place on The European Tour International Schedule in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

The full focus of everyone involved is dedicated to ensure that this year’s tournament is a resounding success. The agreement with Castle Stuart is a three year one, split into two guaranteed years with an option to continue for a third year, and therefore no decision will be taken about the venue for 2013 or 2014 until the conclusion of this year’s event.

George O’Grady said: “We are delighted to welcome Aberdeen Asset Management, an eminent global company based in Scotland, as title sponsor of the Scottish Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule which, this year, will once again be played on the spectacular links layout at Castle Stuart.

“We are also extremely pleased to welcome Scottish Government support. This commitment is another example of Scotland’s strong backing for European Tour events, and is part of the strong partnership that has developed in the build-up to The 2014 Ryder Cup.”

The global reach of the Scottish Open was a significant factor in Aberdeen Asset Management’s decision to take title sponsorship of the event. With the key objective of building the brand in the USA and across Europe, the tournament’s established reputation as a leading professional European Tour event proved a natural fit for the global asset manager.

The announcement also enhances Aberdeen Asset Management’s existing golf portfolio which currently includes the sponsorship of European Tour Members Martin Laird and Paul Lawrie and leading female professional Catriona Matthew in addition to the backing of the Scottish Men’s and Ladies amateur golf teams.

For further information, please contact:

James Thorneley +44 (0)20 7463 6323
Aberdeen Asset Management

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