Colin Montgomerie with fans ahead of the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills

On the eve of the Ryder Cup, Tourism and Sport Minister Frank McAveety, revealed golf visitors had chipped in �300m to the Scottish economy.

He said the revenue boost underlined the need to promote Scotland as an essential golf destination.

The Ryder Cup will take place at Gleneagles in 2014.

Mr McAveety highlighted ministers' Clubgolf drive, which is aimed at encouraging youngsters to take up the game.

Scotland is famed as the 'home of golf' and I want us to build on that richly deserved reputation Frank McAveety MSP Tourism and Sport Minister

It aims to attract 50,000 schoolchildren to the scheme every year.

Mr McAveety said of the increased tourism cash : "These impressive figures illustrate that, if we are imaginative about marketing our unique product, golf tourism provides enormous potential for growth.

"Scotland is famed as the 'home of golf' and boasts some of the world's finest courses, and I want us to build on that richly deserved reputation.

"To achieve our ambitious plans we need to offer top quality services, food and accommodation, so we can ensure Scotland is a must-visit destination for the world's golfers, their friends and families.

"Clubgolf is a Ryder Cup bid commitment and we have the ambition to make 2014 the best ever Ryder Cup."

The executive wants to promote golf further

The minister said: "This weekend as we watch the world's greatest players, including Scotland's own Colin Montgomerie, I hope Clubgolf will uncover more top-class players for the future able to compete in this and other elite golf competitions."

First Minister Jack McConnell said last summer that more needed to be done to promote Scotland as a golfing destination.

The 14-handicapper was aiming to raise the country's profile among the 50 million people who play the sport across the world.

Mr McConnell said: "In Scotland we are lucky that we can boast many of the most spectacular and challenging courses anywhere, courses that can attract everyone from tournament stars to golf tourists. "