There is something for everyone in the Scottish Golf Union calendar

It looks like it’s going to be a fantastic year for Scottish golf with each of these great events for you to play in

IT’S a year to savour for all associated with Scottish Golf, as the Ryder Cup returns to Scotland for the first time in 41 years. Golfers across the country are sure to be inspired, to perhaps pick up a club for the first time, lower their handicap or to win club competitions.

The Scottish Golf Union is looking forward to seeing players up and down the country out on the fairways and again offers a comprehensive event portfolio in 2014 for golfers of ALL age groups and ability levels – whether you play off 3 or 23.

From events for the most talented amateur golfers through to fantastic opportunities for the club handicapper, our aim is to ensure that all members of SGU or SLGA affiliated golf clubs can play in a national championship on a leading course, with the handicap system giving golf a unique position among other sports.

Thanks to the support of the SGU’s sponsors, including Belhaven and Scottish Hydro, the national handicap championships are not to be missed. They offer fantastic prizes, including the chance to play alongside Challenge Tour and Senior Tour professionals. And best of all, all the handicap events are FREE!

 

SGU EVENTS IN 2014

BELHAVEN BEST SCOTTISH CLUB HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP

Won last year by family pairing Gary Tough and WIlliamBremner, this is the SGU’s longest running national event for club golfers. It was first staged in 1999 and now attracts more than 24,000 club golfers at local qualifying level. Each club in Scotland is invited to host a local qualifying event running alongside one of their club medals, with the top two players at each (based on net scores) winning through to represent the club at one of four Regional Finals. The top 10 club pairs at each Regional Final qualify for the Grand Final at a leading venue.

BELHAVEN BEST CAPTAINS & SECRETARIES CHAMPIONSHIP

Launched in 2006, this hugely popular event is open to all clubs in Scotland, with the captain and secretary of each club invited to play at one of five Regional Finals between April and August. A fantastic day out with a shotgun start at each venue, the event offers a great opportunity for networking with other club officials and the chance to win through to the Grand Final. The leading 40 clubs at the five Regional Finals qualify, with the final staged at a top layout.

SCOTTISH HYDRO SCRAMBLE

A new event for 2013, the Scottish Hydro Highland Scramble gave the opportunity for ordinary club golfers to win a place in the Scottish Hydro Challenge Pro-Am at Spey Valley, Aviemore. Such was its success, it’s being rolled out nationally in 2014, in the form of Texas Scramble events open to all members – men, women, boys and girls – in a unique format. Regional qualifiers take place at Eyemouth, Pitlochry, Eastwood and Balbirnie Park in May.

SCOTTISH HYDRO SENIOR OPEN CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Take part at your club and win a team in the SSE Scottish Senior Open at the Fairmont St Andrews alongside a leading European Senior Tour Professional! Open to all male and female golfers aged 55 and over affiliated to a SGU or SLGA club. The top 50 net scores across Scotland in the Senior Club

Qualifiers will win a place in the Scottish Hydro Senior Champion of Champions event at Blairgowrie on Monday 14 July, with the top two players winning a team each in the SSE Scottish Seniors Pro-Am at the Fairmont St Andrews on Wednesday 13 August.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

For the leading amateurs in the country, a feast of championship opportunities are available in 2014. The Scottish Boys Championship, the traditional curtain-raiser to the domestic season, returns to glorious West Kilbride in April, as Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil seek to defend his title.

A new sponsor for the SGU, the online golf magazine Global Golf Post, support the Scottish Boys’ Under-16s Championship at the Glen in North Berwick in July, with the Golf Data Lab Scottish Youths following soon after over the Jubilee Course, St Andrews. The Scottish Boys Stroke Play heads north to Cruden Bay, while a new event sees the Under-16s Junior Tour Championship at Forfar at the end of August to give aspiring players more competitive experience.

At men’s level, the SGU is looking forward to hosting the prestigious European Amateur Championship at The Duke’s, St Andrews in August, won in the past by the likes of Dubai Desert Classic hero Stephen Gallacher. The action in Fife takes place a week after the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship, won last year by Alexander Culverwell, is played over Downfield. Earlier in the season, the Carrick Neill Scottish Stroke Play heads for the Angus venue, Panmure.

An exciting crop of young players will hope to continue their development in 2014, among them Neil, British Boys champion Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden), Scottish Schools winner Connor Syme (Dumfries & County) and Glencruitten’s Robert MacIntyre. All players, including Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson and Grant Forrest from Craigielaw, will be seeking to secure a spot in the Scotland side at the World Amateur Team Championship in Japan in September. Good luck to all in 2014!

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