Carnoustie Country Aims for the Chinese Golf Market
| 11 June 2010 |
| The plus fours of the 19th century golfer sat in sharp contrast to the 21st century golf gear on display at Montrose yesterday (Monday 5 April). The attractions of the Angus area's golf heritage proved irresistible to the visiting group of Chinese golfers. They snapped up the chance to step back into the early years of Royal Montrose Golf Club and suitably attired they took part in a special hickory shaft tournament over the historic links with club members. For golfwear manufacturer Simon Sung the golf attire of the 1800s offered a stark contrast to the 21st century Pro Simon Carnoustie Country golfwear range he has developed under a trademark agreement with Angus Council, the holders of the brand. The idea for the range, which is now promoting the prestigious Angus brand to the growing Chinese golf market, grew out of his participation in an earlier Tartan Day International Golf Challenge in the county. When the new range was launched last year Simon Sung said it realised a dream for his company. "Carnoustie Country – situated in Scotland, The Home of Golf – is a world renowned brand and is a premier golf tourism and golf heritage destination. The Pro Simon Carnoustie Country golfwear collection is a winning brand combination of modern international business and Scotland's rich golfing heritage," said Mr Sung. Carnoustie Country spokesman Dave Valentine said the golf heritage of the area was of huge interest to the Chinese golf market. "What Angus Council has been working on for years with the Angus in China Initiative is to place Carnoustie Country at the forefront of Scottish golf in China. "The trademark agreement for the golfwear range gives us an excellent marketing platform in the country, where the aim is to position this area as the Scottish destination of choice for Chinese golfers who want to play in the home of golf. "This offers us some unique opportunities such as a presence at the 2010 Volvo China Open when the Pro Simon Carnoustie Country range will be on show. "This international marketing is now paying off with Carnoustie Country set to host another three visits from Chinese golfers this year alone." The value Mr Sung's company places on the area's golf heritage is evidenced by its sponsorship of the Royal Montrose Golf Club (RMGC) Bicentenary Celebrations. The company is providing the RMGC - the 9th oldest golf club and 5th oldest golf course - with 200 Carnoustie Country and RMGC branded polo shirts for the club's week of celebration for 100 international guests in August. |