Sport Aberdeen has secured finalist positions in two prestigious categories at the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards 2026, recognising excellence, innovation and community impact across Scotland’s golf tourism sector.
The organisation has been shortlisted for Best Municipal or Community-Owned Golf Course for the MacKenzie Championship Course, Aberdeen, and Best Golf Marketing/Social Media Campaign for its highly successful “Tee Up With Mates” 2025 campaign.
Now in their 13th year, the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards celebrate outstanding achievement within one of Scotland’s most important industries.
The MacKenzie Championship Course, set within the historic Hazlehead Park, is the only public championship course in the North-east. Designed by renowned architect Dr Alister MacKenzie, the course is widely regarded as one of the finest municipal layouts in the country and is celebrated for combining championship-quality golf with accessibility, affordability and strong community value.
Sport Aberdeen’s “Tee Up With Mates” marketing campaign has also been recognised for its innovative approach to tackling industry-wide challenges around ageing participation. Designed to reposition golf as affordable, social and accessible, the campaign successfully engaged younger golfers with more than 25% growth in under-16 memberships and a 38% year-on-year increase in golf memberships.
The campaign also targeted families and new audiences, with a 22% rise in rounds of golf played, reinforcing Aberdeen’s rich golfing heritage.
Sport Aberdeen manages five municipal golf courses, offering a unique multi-course membership model that breaks down barriers to participation. All profits generated through Sport Aberdeen’s golf facilities are reinvested back into the local community, supporting participation, coaching pathways and inclusive access to sport across the city.
Commenting on the finalist announcement, Lauren O’Neill, Head of Marketing and Communications at Sport Aberdeen, said: “To be recognised at a national level in both course quality and marketing innovation is a significant achievement, particularly alongside nationally and internationally recognised courses such as The Old Course at St Andrews.
“These nominations reflect the dedication of our greenkeeping and the collective effort and quality of work across our golf operations, marketing, and wider support teams in making golf accessible, welcoming and relevant for everyone.”
Head of Content for bunkered magazine and Head Judge of the 2026 panel, Michael McEwan, said, “The standard of entries this year has been nothing short of exceptional. The creativity, commitment, and sheer enthusiasm shown by every finalist reflect the incredible work ethic driving Scotland’s golf industry and tourism sector forward.
“It’s this passion and dedication that ensures we remain a world leader in golf tourism.”
The Scottish Golf Tourism Awards 2026 will take place on Thursday, March 12th, 2026, at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, bringing together leaders from golf, tourism, hospitality and the wider business community.