Aboyne selected to host national event

Aboyne Golf Club Juniors – Fortrose & Rosemarkie June 2016

Back Row: Nigel Bradburn, Carmen Griffiths, Bill Gibb

Front Row: Liam Harker, Daniel Aitkin, Murray Crawford, Jamie Gibb, Fergus Anderson

Aboyne Golf Club is celebrating after being selected by governing body ‘ScottishGolf’ to host the Junior Scottish Open regional qualifier.

The club will open its doors to teams from across the North East who will be vying to reach the finals in Ayrshire which coincide with the world leading professionals such as Henrik Stenson and Russell Knox competing for the coveted Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open title at Dundonald.

After the success of last year’s inaugural Junior Scottish Open at Fortrose & Rosemarkie, the event has been extended this year to involve regional qualifying. Aboyne will host the North-East qualifier on Sunday 2nd July.

Aboyne Marketing Convenor Nigel Bradburn said “The Club took two teams up to the Black Isle competition last year and they finished 2nd and 4th respectively. It was a phenomenal achievement against some very high profile clubs. Our youngsters thoroughly enjoyed the event and went on to watch the professionals competing across the water at Castle Stuart.

Nigel went on ”Our juniors came back buzzing and asked if we could apply to host the event this year. We thought nothing more of it until we were notified by ScottishGolf our application had been successful. We are really looking forward to hosting this high-profile event and welcoming young golfers from right across the region to our fabulous course”.

Jackie Davidson, Acting Head of Development at Scottish Golf, said: “We look forward to visiting Aboyne again and the return of the Junior Scottish Open which is a great fun event for young players. The event is aimed at attracting juniors new to competition, creating a learning opportunity in a more relaxed environment, with the opportunity to play a select number of wonderful courses like Aboyne. The event is also designed to support clubs in the retention of young golfers while giving new golfers the opportunity to experience the game in a fun format.”

Club President and Junior Convenor at Aboyne Golf Club Scott Mackie said "We are absolutely thrilled to be chosen to host this major event. Aboyne has a long history of producing excellent young golfers and our junior section continues to go from strength to strength. We are delighted ScottishGolf have recognised our contribution to growing the game at a junior level. It is a real privilege to host this event and showcase our club.”

The competition is open to all affiliated clubs in Scotland who are invited to enter a team of three juniors (aged under-16 at 11 July 2017), to be accompanied by one adult player. The format is four-ball better ball. The leading teams from each regional qualifier book a place in the Junior Scottish Open at Lochgreen, Troon Links to be held on 11th July.

 Further details and entry form can be obtained from ScottishGolf at l.allan@scottishgolf.org.