One of the greatest security and organisational challenges in history awaits Scotland’s police force and its partners when the Ryder Cup juggernaut rolls into town.
In charge of the operation will be Superintendent Rick Dunkerley, who has for a number of years been event commander at T in the Park.
He was present at Gleneagles throughout last month’s Johnnie Walker Championship the last time competitive professional golf will be held on the Jubilee course ahead of the famous competition.
While he and his team know every blade of grass on and around its greens and fairways, he knows the Europe v USA clash will dwarf every sporting event that has gone before.
It will undoubtedly be the biggest operation since the G8 summit brought world leaders and thousands of protesters to Gleneagles in 2005.
More than £100 million is expected to flow into the country’s coffers as around 250,000 spectators and many thousands more volunteers, staff, security and media join the world’s finest golfers in Perthshire next year.
“This is significantly bigger than any sporting event we have ever been involved in before,” Superintendent Dunkerley said.
Superintendent Dunkerley said: “The Johnnie Walker Championship offered an invaluable opportunity to learn about the venue, see it at the same time of year at which the Ryder Cup will be held and work with the same partners we will cooperate with in 2014.
“Nonetheless, the Ryder Cup is on a completely different scale and it will throw up a number of additional challenges.”
The Johnnie Walker does not traditionally require a huge police presence, with the emphasis on roads policing as spectators make their way to the event.
Their numbers will pale in comparison to those taking to the fairways next year and with golf fans arriving at Gleneagles by way of park and ride facilities exclusively there are wholly different logistical challenges.
“The Ryder Cup is significantly bigger and will rely on an extensive park and ride service which has required careful and detailed planning,” the superintendent added.
“There is major and detailed work ongoing with our partners, including the Scottish Government and VisitScotland and in particular Ryder Cup Europe, the team at Gleneagles, Perth and Kinross Council and residents.
“We are bringing the lessons learned at the championship together with those from previous Ryder Cups at Medinah and Celtic Manor and our own experiences of major events such as T in the Park.
“There will be a big team involved in ensuring that the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles is a huge success and Police Scotland will be but one small part of that,” he said.
The police have been heavily involved in community engagement with residents of Gleneagles, Auchterarder and surrounding villages for the past year and will continue to hold regular meetings to ensure that they are kept well informed.
The prestigious event will take place over six days and encompasses three practice days beginning on Tuesday September 23 2014 and three match days on September 26, 27 and 28.