East Lothian will host the destination programme for Elevate Golf in 2028, bringing international golf tour operators together with courses, resorts and accommodation providers across the region.
The announcement completes a three-year schedule for the invitation-only golf tourism event. Northern Ireland will feature in the 2026 edition, followed by Ayrshire in 2027 and East Lothian in 2028.
Elevate Golf combines pre-scheduled business appointments with golf and networking in each destination. Tour operators are invited to attend, and suppliers are selected from premium golf courses and hospitality businesses serving international travellers.
The event has expanded from 60 suppliers in its first year to 230 courses, resorts and accommodation providers in 2026. This year’s edition sold out seven months in advance.
“Confirming East Lothian for 2028, with Northern Ireland and Ayrshire already in place, gives us an exciting programme of host destinations to look forward to,” Elevate Golf director Leanne Thorpe said.
“The response to Elevate over the last few years has given us the confidence to plan further ahead, and having our destinations confirmed through to 2028 provides real continuity for the event, our partners and the international tour operators who attend.”
East Lothian’s Role in the 2028 Programme
East Lothian stretches east from Edinburgh along the Firth of Forth and contains one of the world’s highest concentrations of links courses. Its golf offering covers historic championship venues, newer tournament layouts and several hotels positioned close to the coast’s leading courses.
The destination will begin promoting its 2028 programme during Elevate Golf 2026. Participating East Lothian businesses include Archerfield, Dunbar Golf Club, Gilmerton House, The Glen Golf Club, Greywalls Hotel, Gullane Golf Club, Muirfield, The Leddie Hotel, Marine North Berwick, North Berwick Golf Club and The Renaissance Club.
The Renaissance Club is the current home of the Genesis Scottish Open, where Tom Kim won the 2026 title with a closing 64. Muirfield has staged The Open 16 times and ranked fourth in the 2026 Golf Today list of Britain and Ireland’s top 100 courses.
“Elevate Golf has established itself as the event that attracts the world’s leading golf tour operators, and for that reason we are delighted to host and welcome Elevate Golf delegates to East Lothian in 2028,” Stuart McEwen, Secretary of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, said.
Northern Ireland Opens the 2026 Edition
Elevate Golf 2026 will run from October 25 to 30. Delegates will begin with a familiarisation experience in Northern Ireland before travelling to Fairmont St Andrews for the main business and networking programme.
The gathering will also include suppliers and commercial partners serving the golf travel market. As our coverage of Fescue & Dunes’ renewed partnership detailed, participating operators are selected for their record of arranging trips for high-net-worth golfers.
Ayrshire will then stage the destination element in 2027, one year before the programme moves to East Lothian.
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Simon Bale
Simon Bale is the publisher of Golf Today. A low single-figure handicap golfer, he was previously a major shareholder and course reviewer for Top100GolfCourses.com for over a decade, starting in 2010. Through this role, he developed extensive knowledge of golf course design and architecture while playing more than 300 courses worldwide.