DOWNFIELD, CARNOUSTIE DATES FOR PAUL LAWRIE LADIES' TOUR

The new Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Scottish Ladies Open Tour has fixed up two more courses and dates for its inaugural schedule of 18-hole, one-day events. Downfield Golf Club professional Kenny Hutton, pictured right, played a big part in getting the Dundee woodland venue to play host to the lady pros and female amateurs with a single-figure handicap on Tuesday, July 2.First tee off time will be 1.30pm to allow for players travelling up from the south. Carnoustie Burnside will be the venue the following day, Wednesday July 3. Each is a stand-alone event with its own prizefund. If 30 players enter there will be £2,500 to be won (vouchers for the amateurs up to the £500 value limit) at each venue. "We are very grateful to Downfield Golf Club and to the Carnoustie Links Management Committee for granting us the courtesy of the course so readily," said co-organiser Nicola Melville, pictured, a PGA teaching pro at St Andrews.  "The aim of the PLGC SLOT is to help female pros raise their game so that they can make it through the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School and to give low-handicap amateurs a chance to measure their ability against the pros and help them decide if they are ready to step up to the professional ranks." The tour starts at the Marriott Dalmahoy East Course on Thursday, April 18 and continues at a neighbouring Edinburgh venue, Ratho Park the following day, April 19. Other dates and venues confirmed: May 7 - Deeside.  September 23 - Haggs Castle. September 24 - Drumpellier.