The most influential man in Scottish golf has called on First Minister Alex Salmond and tycoon Donald Trump to settle their differences to further boost the success of the Scottish Open.
Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management the financial company that effectively sponsors all sectors of the game in Scotland wants to take the Scottish to Trump’s course at Menie Estate and also to Turnberry, which the American acquired earlier this year.
However, the feud between the First Minister and Trump over wind turbines means that it’s unlikely either venue will get the Scottish in the near future as the Scottish Government is a significant partner in sponsoring the event with Gilbert’s AAM.
The 59-year-old Aberdonian, who has driven the blanket sponsorship of AAM for the Scottish Opens for both sexes, professional players and Scotland’s amateur teams, already gives credit to both men for their work in Scottish golf.
“Alex Salmond is mad keen on golf and has done a lot for the game without his support there is no question the Scottish Open would have been lost,” he said.
“You’ve got to give credit to Donald Trump too because he has made Aberdeen almost a destination for golf.
“We would love to see the Scottish Open some day at his course. People have different opinions on Donald but I have to say I’ve never seen anything like the course at Menie.”
Gilbert believes that it will suit both men and the game in Scotland to “end their spat”, and Trump has been more conciliatory in recent statements since he took over Turnberry.
“Look, I’d be surprised if they don’t patch up,” continued Gilbert. “Donald is a businessman, and he’s aware that it would be better and much easier for everyone if we could take (the Scottish Open) there.
“It’s such a fabulous course, and now there’s Turnberry as well. So I suspect they’ll get over it.”
In the meantime, Gilbert believes that the upcoming independence referendum will make no difference to the First Minister’s support of the game.
“Whatever the result, the Scottish Parliament is going to continue in one form or another,” he said. “Alex Salmond is going to be in power until whenever the next Scottish election is.
“I think his support to Scottish golf is incredible. He was the one who got us into the Scottish Open, he approached us.
“We have taken it on from there, but without the Government’s financial support there is no doubt that the Scottish Open would have gone because Hugo Boss wanted that slot in the schedule and wanted to move it to Sweden, I believe.
“Alex Salmond has done a great job in making sure that that didn’t happen, while (European Tour executive director) George O’Grady has done an excellent job selling it to TV in the States.”
Gilbert always believed that the Scottish Open should be on a links course.
“When Barclays pulled out we always thought that the formula was wrong,” he added.
“Bob Diamond (the former Barclays chief) was keen to move to links, but Loch Lomond was so successful with the players and with the Pro-Am. I think it was almost too successful, so it was really difficult to move it away.”
Gilbert hopes the same sort of success with the men’s Scottish the week before the Open Championship translates to moving the Scottish Ladies Open to the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open and doubling prize money next year at Dundonald.
“We’re just trying to copy a bit of what we are doing on the men’s tour. Having it the week before the Ricoh British hopefully we can get some of the American players over.
“We’re trying to make it a bigger event, I think it will take some time to match what has been done in the men’s game.
“The women’s game is not in as rude a financial state as the men’s, and anything we can help in a commercial aspect is really important in my point of view, and the tournament’s point of view as well.”
AAM’s support to Scottish golf has been lauded by many former Open champion Padraig Harrington said the golfing world was “jealous” of their blanket sponsorship but Gilbert believes he gets his money’s worth.
“It’s good for us. We wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t think we were getting a good return, and we are getting a really good return with the TV audience in America.
“The support to the amateur game, compared to the Scottish Open, is really petty cash. But I think where we’ve got to really look at is the gap between our top amateurs and the professional game. We’re not getting enough coming through. With the exception of Stephen Gallacher, we haven’t got anyone in the top 50 in the world.”