As the Ryder Cup got under way in earnest with the players enjoying their first day of practice, all involved breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Months in some cases years of planning come to a climax this week and one of the world’s great sporting spectacles got off to a gentle and smooth start.
Buses ran on time, traffic delays were avoided and even the weather was kind welcoming the first spectators, who will grow in number day on day to around 45,000 by the end of the week.
Like a first day at a new school all involved, from volunteers to police, quickly found their feet. Already many businesses seem to be benefitting from the Ryder Cup effect.
Golf clubs, tour operators and accommodation providers are reporting an increase in bookings across 2014 in some cases by as much as 50% up on last year.
New feedback from VisitScotland’s industry partners reveals that pre-booked tee times, advanced bookings for golf and sightseeing tours and hotel bookings have surged beyond last year’s levels.
It is not only the tourism industry that is likely to reap dividends from the Ryder Cup, with money staked in bets likely to exceed past levels by some margin.
The event tees off on Friday, and according to the bookmakers the current champions, Europe, look set to retain the title, with Boylesports pricing them at 8-13.
Team USA have not won a Ryder Cup since 2008 and are on offer at 9-5 to change that in Scotland. There have only been two tie results in the history of the tournament and a tie can be backed at 11-1.
Rory McIlroy is expected to shine as the top points scorer as the 7-1 favourite, despite being split from Graeme McDowell, who is on offer at 18-1.
Sergio Garcia is further cementing the hopes of a European to claim the top overall points scorer title at 10-1, with Rickie Fowler leading the way for USA at 11-1.