Golf Passport Rolls Back
The Borders

A 16 per cent increase in the sales of Freedom of the Fairways golf passes in 2000 has led to around 3,000 golfers visiting the Scottish Borders this year.
Scottish Borders Tourist Board chief executive Riddell Graham said: "Given the general downturn in tourism this year, an increase of 16 per cent in
demand emphasises what can be achieved through effective marketing and makes
Freedom of the Fairways the most popular tourist golf pass in Scotland."

All the proceeds, this year in excess of £150,000, are returned to the 21
participating clubs with local accommodation providers expected to have
benefited to the tune of £800,000 from overnight stays and meals. Awards for the most visitor-friendly courses, selected by golfers participating in the scheme, went to Minto near Hawick in the 18-hole category and St Boswells, Melrose, for the nine-hole layouts. The new course at Cardrona near Innerleithen will join the scheme in 2001 when it becomes fully open for play.

The fees for next year are £80 for a five-day pass (10 rounds) and £55 for a
three-day pass (six rounds).