Stern test awaits at 'Amateur'

Angus links preparing to welcome some of the world’s leading young players this June

Carnoustie is gearing up to host 288 of the world’s best amateur golfers as the 120th staging of the Amateur Championship heads to Angus in June.

It will be the fifth time that Carnoustie has staged the prestigious R&A run event, having first visited the Championship course in 1947, with qualifying also taking place at neighbouringPanmure.

SUCCESS

The last time the Links played host to the tournament was 1992, where Scot Stephen Dundas won on home soil and, after 18-year-old Blairgowrie golfer Bradley Neil, pictured right, captured the title last year at Royal Portrush, Scottish golf fans will no doubt be hoping for more success in 2015.

Previous Amateur Championships have seen some of golf’s greatest names, such as past champions Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia, announce themselves on the world stage and providing the winner maintains his amateur status, invitations to three of the four major championships await, namely the following month’s Open Championship as well as the following year’s Masters and US Open.

Graeme Duncan, general manager of the Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee, said: “The Amateur Championship remains one of the world’s foremost amateur competitions and it is both an honour and a privilege for Carnoustie to play host to this historical event.”

The Championship course is widely regarded as one of the sternest tests of links golf in the world. Measuring just under 7,000 yards and occupying a piece of firm, undulating links land, it is a course that examines every aspect of a player’s game. The course record of 64 is currently shared by Richard Green, Steve Stricker, Colin Montgomerie, Alan Tait and Shane Lowry.

The course is overseen by superintendent Sandy Reid and he revealed he is excited at the imminent visit of the world’s top amateurs.

“The Championship course is shaping up wonderfully and is set to be in the very best of condition for the tournament,” said Reid.

CONDITION

“The mat policy that we enforce throughout the winter months minimises damage to the course, and means we are able to provide a tough test of golf on a superbly conditioned course.”

This year’s Amateur is the first of several prestigious tournaments being held at Carnoustie over the next few years. The Senior Open Championship will be played there for the second time in 2016, while the Open Championship returns for an eighth time in 2018.

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