VisitScotland announces the first ever major event in Scotland to feature an all-female police command structure — The 2019 Solheim Cup

VisitScotland announces the first ever major event in Scotland to feature an all-female police command structure — The 2019 Solheim Cup

EDINBURGH, Scotland, 2019-Aug-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The 2019 Solheim Cup will become the first ever major event in Scotland to feature an all-female police command structure.

Chief Superintendents Sharon Milton and Suzie Mertes, and Superintendent Maggie Pettigrew, will take control of safety proceedings when the biggest competition in women’s golf gets under way next month.

Police Scotland provides policing support to major events and the role of the command team is to oversee the policing response, ultimately to ensure public safety.

All three officers are vastly experienced in commander roles at major events in Scotland.

In 2005, Chief Superintendent Milton policed the G8 Summit at Gleneagles while more recently, she was Gold Commander at the Women’s Tour of Scotland cycling event.

Chief Superintendent Mertes was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2018 and has held numerous commander roles at major events, including T in the Park and the Ryder Cup, while Superintendent Pettigrew was also a commander at the Ryder Cup in 2014 and The Open.

The Solheim Cup is the biggest single sporting event in Scotland in 2019 and is expected to draw in the region of 100,000 fans to the world-renowned PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles between 9-15 September.

The event, which is fully funded by the Scottish Government, will see the top female golfers from Europe and the USA competing for the iconic Solheim Cup.

Chief Superintendent Sharon Milton said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles this year and it is fantastic to have a strong team, including for the first time we believe a command team made up of female officers, on hand to provide policing support to this major event.

“This is a great event for the area and we have been working closely with the event organisers and our partners to ensure golf lovers, their friends, and families have a wonderful experience at the Championship.”

Paul Bush, Director of Events at Visit Scotland, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming three highly-respected officers to Gleneagles as the command team for the Solheim Cup, and it is hugely positive that the command is entirely female.

“We are confident the command team will help us deliver a safe and memorable tournament for everyone who attends the event next month, and together we’ll further showcase Scotland’s credentials as the perfect stage for major events.”

Being delivered by VisitScotland on behalf of The Scottish Government, the 2019 Solheim Cup aims to help promote Scotland as an open and inclusive golf tourism and events destination, whilst also contributing to the drive for equality across sport and wider society domestically.

The Scottish Government hopes for the 2019 Solheim Cup to be the biggest-ever European edition of the event, and the most family-focused golf event in history with around 100,000 spectators expected at Gleneagles and a host of activities for families and young people on site.

Adult tickets are available from just £25 with children under 16 able to attend for free when accompanied by an adult. For more information visit www.solheimcup2019.com

Notes to Editors

  • Follow us on Twitter: @visitscotnews
  • VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
  • The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
  • This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
  • The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
  • Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP
  • For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://media.visitscotland.org
  • For tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.htm
  • Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
  • For holiday information on Scotland go to http://www.visitscotland.com
  • For information about business tourism in Scotland go to http://www.conventionscotland.com

Scotland’s Themed Years

  • Following an industry consultation, the Themed Years will now take place every second year to enable more time for planning and opportunities for collaboration.
  • 2020 has been designated as a year in which Scotland’s Coasts and Waters will be showcased and celebrated with a programme of activity designed to support the nation’s tourism and events sectors.
  • The year, led by VisitScotland will sustain and build upon the momentum of Scotland’s preceding Themed Years to spotlight, celebrate and promote opportunities to experience and enjoy Scotland’s unrivalled Coasts and Waters, encouraging responsible engagement and participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors.
  • A year-long programme of events, activities and ideas will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, from the formation of beautiful natural features to the creation of our national drink – whisky.
  • Join the conversation using #YCW2020
  • 2022 will be the Year of Scotland’s Stories – a celebration of our rich literature, film, oral traditions and myths, and legends.

Contact:
Hamish Hutchinson
Call 0131 472 2283
mailto: hamish.hutchinson@visitscotland.com

Source: VisitScotland

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