Darren Clarke’s Open Championship victory is set to boost tourism in Angus, a prominent local businessman says.
Mike Forbes of Forbes of Kingennie country resort says Clarke’s victory will mean an influx of fans wanting to play the first course designed by him at the resort once work is completed at the Shank of Omachie championship course.
Clarke’s first signature course is at the centre of the £55 million hotel, housing and golf complex planned by Mr Forbes at the site, next to his country resort, which was granted planning permission in December.
Just hours after Darren’s stroll to victory, Mike told The Courier, “It’s fantastic everyone in our team is over the moon. I’ve sent a message through his manager Chubby Chandler to congratulate Darren.
“His phone’s been constantly engaged and I think he’ll be a very popular man for a while. I don’t think that’ll change for a couple of weeks at least.”
Mr Forbes feels “very fortunate” to have formed a bond with Clarke. It was formally sealed with the signing of a contract for the golf course to be known as The Angus two years ago, and says he felt fate had been responsible rather than good business sense.
“People have been saying to me it was great foresight to get him signed up but it was just luck really,” he said. “I’m just glad he signed the contract then I think there would be a couple of extra noughts on it after this! We supported a good lad at the time but he saw the potential in the course.”
Mr Forbes added, “He’s a huge fans’ favourite. About 40,000 people were roaring for him to do well. A lot of these people will be wanting to come up and play his golf course after this.Special”It’s his first signature golf course in Scotland and we’re going to have someone very special coming up here to Angus.”
The unlikely tie-up came about four years ago when the champion golfer, who has helped Europe to victory in four Ryder Cups, visited the resort and Mike taught him how to fish. They formed a tight bond after they discussed how cancer had affected their families.
Clarke’s wife Heather died from cancer in 2006, aged 39. Mike’s son Cammie had battled leukaemia from the age of seven until his younger brother Alistair donated life-saving bone marrow.
The Open champion has visited the area several times and Mike says he will be keeping a watchful eye on the progress during the building and construction phases of the new course.
The project aims to deliver a five-star hotel, championship standard golf course and 160 houses, creating 200 jobs in the process, along with the creation of a golf academy.
The development is gaining interest from China and America and the golf academy should increase the appeal from international markets.