Gleneagles has been chosen to host a new golf tournament involving the world’s first joint men’s and ladies’ competition.
The European Golf Team Championships will be held at the Perthshire venue in 2018.
The decision to bring the tournament to Gleneagles further underlines the venue’s growing reputation as a world leader in hosting sports events following on from the success of the 2014 Ryder Cup.
The contest, which will incorporate both a team and an individual format, forms part of the inaugural multi-event European Sports Championships to be held across Glasgow and Berlin.
Backed by both the European Tour and the Ladies European Tour, the European Golf Team Championships will see men and women compete for their countries on the same course, at the same time, in top-level competition for the first time in the history of the sport.
Golf and gymnastics have been chosen to join the European Sports Championships line-up, completing the roster for Scotland alongside aquatics, cycling, rowing and triathlon.
The managing director of Gleneagles Hotel, Bernard Murphy, said: “At Gleneagles we have a proud tradition of innovation within the game of golf, including hosting the very first match between British and American professionals back in 1921, sowing the first seeds of the event that went on to become the Ryder Cup.
“It is with great delight that we will be the host venue for yet another world first in the European Golf Team Championships and we look forward to welcoming the teams and spectators in 2018.”
VisitScotland director of events Paul Bush said: “The Gleneagles Hotel is a truly world-class venue which has hosted many international golf events, including the hugely successful 2014 Ryder Cup, and there is no doubt it will do justice to the first ever European Golf Team Championships.”