
Scottish Open not just about golf as KT Tunstall and Irvine Welsh star in Fringe by the Tee
Music star KT Tunstall and Irvine Welsh are set to ensure it's not all about just golf at the Genesis Scottish Open.
Tournament organisers are ensuring a huge week off-course as well as on it with a raft of experiences planned for the four days in East Lothian.
In the Fan Zone, the highlight will be the return of Fringe by the Tee, a collaboration with the local Fringe by the Sea festival.
Tunstall, the Grammy-nominated, Brit Award-winning artist, is playing a set on Saturday night just 24 hours after author-turned DJ Welsh cranks up the tunes.
As well as music, the Fringe by the Tee pop-up stage will offer something for everyone, including comedian Fred MacAulay, who will host daily entertainment daily slots.
Families can catch the always-popular Alexander the Great, an award-winning entertainer delivering circus skills, party games, disco dancing, and plenty of magic for the kids.
Other highlights of the Fan Zone include Mini Golf and Long Putt experiences, raising money for The Renaissance Club Foundation, while fans can also buy a limited edition tartan range from J.Lindeberg, worn by ambassadors such as Viktor Hovland and Mathieu Pavon, and gain access to the J.L Clubhouse hospitality facility on the Sixth Hole by spending £100 or more in the Merchandise Store.
Fringe By The Tee Festival Director Rory Steel explained: 'We run Fringe By The Sea in North Berwick in August just down the road from where the golf takes place and, a couple of years back, we were asked to come down and have a look and it was an absolutely amazing opportunity to really help with the growth of what is an amazing event.
'We went away and had a good long think about who it is that are coming to the golf and how we can expand it beyond the core enthusiast, especially to the families who might not have a fleeting interest in the game itself.
'There are so many great things. Whether it is the Stephen Gallacher Foundation for ace pro tips, to the crazy golf course raising funds for Leuchie House, to the main stage where we can bring to life the fan zone with bands, DJs, comedy, kids shows and a whole golf bag full of fun.
'It's not just what is happening on the course, the track or the field at major sporting occasions now, it's what happens off the field, too. People are spending a not-insignificant sum to come along and, yes, the sport is the key to it all, but so is making sure there is something for everyone.
' Irvine Welsh doing a DJ set will be ace for Friday night's crowd followed by KT Tunstall for Saturday and having Scottish legends like that at the Genesis Scottish Open is all part of the appeal. They buy into it, too. They are invested and it shows how the event has grown in popularity and is going from strength to strength on and off the course.'
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