The head of the European Senior Tour has hailed the “welcoming and friendly” Angus community following the culmination of three extraordinary weeks of golf.
The Senior Open attracted 20,104 spectators to Carnoustie during the week to watch golf’s golden-oldies do battle on the links.
The town was busy with all the hotels, B&Bs and guest houses fully booked and the local restaurants and businesses enjoying a brisk trade.
David MacLaren, Head of the European Senior Tour, said: “The most successful championships are founded on teamwork and great cooperation and I feel that the Senior Open has benefited from the strength of our partnerships with The R&A and Rolex, as presenting sponsor.
“We also worked very closely with Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus Council, Carnoustie Country and the Carnoustie Hotel to help deliver something visually stunning.
“Many people have voiced the opinion that they have never seen Carnoustie look better and we have rarely encountered such universal praise for the golf course from the golfing legends on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Carnoustie is renowned as the toughest of the Championship venues but to see it looking so majestic for our Senior Major can only benefit the town and the community, who have been so welcoming and friendly.
“The Senior Open has been the culmination of three extraordinary weeks of golf in Scotland, beginning with the Aberdeen Asset Scottish Open in Inverness, continuing with The Open at Royal Troon and ending here at Carnoustie.
“It has been a truly memorable few weeks showcasing the best that Scottish golf can offer and continues next month with the Paul Lawrie Match Play and the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open, both at Archerfield Links.”
The Senior Open returned to Carnoustie this year for the first time since 2010 when the championship debuted on the Angus links.
Carnoustie also hosted the Women’s British Open in 2011 and the British Ladies Amateur Championship in 2012.
The Open is due to return in 2018 and the course is also an annual co-host of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the European Tour.
A major survey of the sector completed in 2013 estimated that golf and golf-related tourism was worth more than £1 billion to the Scottish economy on an annual basis.
