Euro stars set for Scotland

Cream of the Continent set to descend on The Duke’s for European Amateur Championship

A NUMBER of Scots will be hoping this year is their year when The Duke’s welcomes the Continent’s best amateur golfers in Europe to its acclaimed links in August, as the St Andrews course becomes the first Scottish host of the European Amateur Championship since Nairn in 2003.

Bradley Neil, Graeme Robertson, Jamie Savage and Ewen Ferguson will all be going for glory in the event that comes hot on the heels of the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship the week before. Participants from across Europe will descend on the historic town for the event, which takes place from August 6-9.

There will be an added bonus for the winner, too, with a place in the 2005 Open at St Andrews also up for grabs.

Rory McIlroy, Vijay Singh, and Sergio Garcia are amongst the former winners, with Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Lee Trevino amongst other former participants.

Stephen Gallacher is the only Scot to have won the event, and he still has fond memories of his triumph in 1994 as a 20-year-old.

FANTASTIC

“It was a fabulous experience for me at that age,” said Gallacher. “The European Amateur is a great event. I can remember it well as I loved the European stage. I also did well at team level with Scotland, so they are nice memories for me.

“I wish all the players the very best of luck for the event at The Duke’s in August and a home win would obviously be fantastic, especially with a place in the Open at St Andrews up for grabs.”

Old Course Hotel director of operations David Scott is looking forward to the event and he added: “Derek Robson,
head greenkeeper at The Duke’s, and his team have done a fantastic job and they are now on countdown for what will be one of the biggest events in the club’s history.

“The tournament promises to be a fabulous event and is free for all spectators to come and enjoy with us.”

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