A RECORD-BREAKING crowd has attended Scotland’s top golf competition after a hugely successful week in East Lothian.

More than 68,500 flocked to The Renaissance Club, near Dirleton, for the Genesis Scottish Open, which took place between Thursday and Sunday.

World number five Xander Schauffele won the tournament, which was being held at the venue for the fourth consecutive year, on seven-under-par.

Fellow American Kurt Kitayama finished one shot adrift in second spot, with Joohyung Kim one shot further back in third.

PICTURES: day four of the Genesis Scottish Open

East Lothian Council was unable to give any indication on the exact numbers attending the event or the economic impact in the area.

However, Malcolm Duck, chairman of Gullane Area Community Council, was pleased to say that the event, which was held in the county for the fifth consecutive year, had proven a success, with 68,771 in attendance.

He said: “I think 2019 was the record and I think this is a new record.

“Given Covid and The Open being at St Andrews, you would expect a lower figure, so I think that is pretty impressive.”

Mr Duck was confident that the tournament would have a long-lasting legacy and highlighted the significance of the event being held on Scotland’s Golf Coast.

He said that people visiting the area had been directed to enjoy other courses along the coast.

'Puts East Lothian on the map'

Councillor Liz Allan, North Berwick Coastal ward member, felt that the event was hugely important to the area.

She said: “It’s a cliché but it helps put East Lothian on the map.

“I think with a golf event like this, it is a world event and the world is Googling the area.

“People will be Googling Haddington, Gullane, Aberlady and North Berwick.

“I think really we rival St Andrews, and St Andrews is gorgeous and lovely, but the long-term impact is it raises the profile of the whole area.”

The councillor also took time to praise The Renaissance Club.

'Act of kindness'

She said: “I actually have to phone The Renaissance Club and thank them because what I do know is that all the huge amount of food, fruits and lots of things like that left over, they took it to the foodbank.

“It is such an act of kindness.

“They have not made a big thing about it, it was just a genuine act of kindness.

“I was just astonished and so happy to hear that.”

Ward colleague Councillor Jeremy Findlay was similarly pleased with the success of the event.

He said: “The Scottish Open has been a fantastic event and congratulations to all those who came to East Lothian to compete.

“It was a great advert for Scotland’s Golf Coast and will provide a huge boost to the local economy.

“With the Women’s Open coming to Muirfield next month, it demonstrates that this part of Scotland is our country’s pre-eminent golfing destination.”

'Spectacular four days'

Councillor Carol McFarlane, who also represents the area, felt that the competition had boosted businesses.

She said: “The hospitality businesses in North Berwick and surrounding areas deemed it to be a success, with some small retail businesses reporting an increase in sales.”

Elaine Carmichael, team manager for economic development at East Lothian Council, highlighted that the golfing action in the county was far from over.

She said: “It was a spectacular four days of golf enjoyed by thousands of spectators and the great weather made The Renaissance Club and Scotland’s Golf Coast look their incredible best.

“We’re now looking forward to welcoming the AIG Women’s Open at the legendary Muirfield from August 4 to 7, so it’s shaping up to be another fantastic summer of golf here in East Lothian and a great boost to businesses here as they recover from the pandemic.

“The global TV exposure for East Lothian is also likely to provide ongoing benefit by encouraging people to come and visit, stay and play golf now and in the future.”

A spokesperson for The Watchman Hotel in Gullane said that business was booming during the competition, saying: “We definitely had an upturn in business and witnessed an increase in walk-in dinner, drinks and lunch trade.

“It was lovely to see more people in the area popping in for a bite to eat. Our occupancy levels were full of people staying to watch the Scottish Open.”