Luke Donald and Ballantine’s Toast Scottish Open Success

As world No 1 Luke Donald put on an impressive display to win the Barclays Scottish Open, Ballantine’s, Europe’s No 1 range of blended Scotch whisky, celebrated its fifth successful year as an Official Supplier to the tournament (7th-10th July 2011).

Donald clinched the title by four shots over Fredrik Andersson Hed in the final round of the tournament yesterday. He was recognised for his efforts by being presented with a bottle of Ballantine’s 30 Year Old – the brand’s pinnacle expression.

Play at the tournament resumed on Sunday morning after adverse weather led to a restructure of the tournament, with a total of three rounds played. Now recognised as of one Scotland’s most iconic golfing events, this year’s Scottish Open took place at the challenging Highland links course of Castle Stuart for the first time. Overlooking the Moray Firth in Inverness, the stunning course, which is situated close to Ballantine’s spiritual home, Glenburgie Distillery, welcomed a host of star players, including the current Ballantine’s Championship winner Lee Westwood, as well as Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell, Colin Montgomerie and Angel Cabrera.

Ballantine’s presence at this year’s Scottish Open included two branded bars for spectators, prominent on-course signage and player rewards such as a bottle of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old for an eagle on the 12th hole and a bottle of Ballantine’s 21 Year Old for the lowest round of the day.

Speaking at the tournament yesterday, Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, said: “We are proud to be continuing our support for the Barclays Scottish Open. This year’s tournament is an important one for us – not only because it heralds our fifth consecutive year as an Official Supplier, but also because we are only a stone’s throw from Glenburgie Distillery – where one of the signature malts in the Ballantine’s blend is produced.

“The proximity of the golf course and the distillery highlights the similarities between golf and Ballantine’s whisky – both are from Scotland, share a long and engaging heritage, and are enjoyed throughout the world.”

Ballantine’s association with golf can be traced back to at least 1960 when the Ballantine’s Tournament took place at Wentworth golf course. More than fifty years later, Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the high-profile Ballantine’s Championship, Korea’s first and only European Tour event and the country’s largest golf tournament, to which the brand is committed until at least 2013. Ballantine’s has been official supplier to the Scottish Open since 2007.

Notes:

Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific, selling more than 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.