Elevate Golf celebrates record-breaking 2026 edition, with strong Spanish presence

The international golf tourism event, held from 25 to 30 October in Northern Ireland and St Andrews, Scotland, generated 9,430 business appointments over its two days of meetings. Spain was represented by around 20 suppliers and two tour operators, consolidating its presence at one of the sector’s leading B2B events.

November 3, 2026 – Elevate Golf has brought its third edition to a close with record-breaking figures, welcoming 230 suppliers and 230 international tour operators for a week dedicated to golf tourism, business networking and the development of new commercial opportunities.

The invitation-only event took place from 25 to 30 October 2026, with a programme combining golf and hospitality experiences in Northern Ireland with two days of business meetings in St Andrews, Scotland.

The main venue for the business programme was Fairmont St Andrews, where a total of 9,430 pre-scheduled appointments took place between suppliers and tour operators. An intensive schedule that provided opportunities to establish new contacts, strengthen existing partnerships and explore business opportunities across the international golf tourism industry.

The 2026 edition began in Northern Ireland, where delegates had the opportunity to experience some of the country’s finest golf courses and hospitality venues, before travelling to Scotland for the business and networking programme in St Andrews.

Around 20 Spanish suppliers

Spain once again had a strong presence at Elevate Golf, with around 20 suppliers representing golf tourism, destinations, golf courses, resorts and accommodation. They included Camiral, Catalan Tourist Board, Empordà Golf Resort, Finca Cortesin Golf Club, Grand Hyatt La Manga, INFINITUM, La Hacienda Golf, La Reserva Golf Sotogrande, Marbella Private Villas, Puente Romano Marbella, Pula Golf, Real Club de Golf de Sevilla, Real Club de Golf El Prat, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, Real Club Valderrama, Rio Real Golf & Hotel, San Roque Club and SO Sotogrande.

Joining them were two Spanish tour operators, Golf Escocia and Lowgolf Travel, who took part in the business meetings alongside operators from the leading international source markets.

The presence of this selection of companies and organisations reflects the diversity of Spain’s golf tourism offering, ranging from established destinations and leading golf courses to resorts, hotels and specialist services.

Recognition for Wilma Erskine

The event concluded with a gala dinner featuring Ben Cowan-Dewar, co-founder and CEO of Cabot, as the headline guest speaker. During the evening, Cowan-Dewar took part in a discussion exploring the story behind the Cabot brand, its international development and the trends and opportunities shaping the future of golf tourism.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of a Special Recognition Award to Wilma Erskine, former secretary of Royal Portrush Golf Club, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to golf in Northern Ireland. Erskine played a pivotal role in raising the international profile of golf in the country and securing the return of The Open Championship to Royal Portrush in 2019, after a 68-year absence.

Leanne Thorpe, director of Elevate Golf, expressed her satisfaction with the results of the third edition, highlighting both the level of attendance and the quality of the business relationships developed throughout the week. She noted that the combination of golf, hospitality and business meetings had created excellent connections and opened up new commercial opportunities.