Amateurs earmarked to vie with pros at Northern Open

AS WELL as being moved from its traditional spring slot, this year's Northern Open, one of the leading events on the Tartan Tour, could feature some of Scotland's top amateurs in a bid to help their development before switching to the professional ranks.

Sandy Jones, the chief executive of the PGA, has revealed that a proposal to earmark spots for a batch of amateurs in the 72-hole tournament has been run past potential sponsors and he is hopeful of making an announcement about the event in the next few weeks.

While amateurs have played in the Northern Open in the past – the Bookless Cup is awarded to the leading non-professional who completes four rounds – this move is the latest example of an improved working relationship between the PGA Scottish Region and the Scottish Golf Union.

"The Northern Open has always had the odd amateur in the field but why couldn't it become one of the events that was part of the development process?" said Jones. "We are talking to two or three people about sponsorship and they like that concept."

Traditionally held in May and won over the years by the likes of John Panton, Eric Brown, Brian Barnes and Alastair Forsyth, the decision to move this year's event back in the calendar was taken after a sponsorship deal fell through. "We had a sponsor lined up but they pulled out at the last minute," said Jones. "Everybody believed the deal was done but we then got an e-mail to say that, due to the company's own business reasons, they had to step back.

"In any case, I think the Northern Open should be later in the year. I remember my first one in March 1980 at Royal Aberdeen. We had 200 competitors and finished in the dark and I remember thinking, 'Why is it being played at this time of the year?'

"We could never move it as it was traditionally the first event in the spring but now, in a changing world, we have an opportunity to put it to the back end of the season and I think it will be a good finish to the Tartan Tour to have both the Northern Open and the Scottish Championship towards the end of the season. It gives people something to look forward to."

As Michael MacDougall, the new secretary of the PGA Scottish Region, attempts to secure a backer for the Northern Open, he has seen Alan Tait, a former committee member, launch his Xltec Pro Golf Tour, with its first event staged last week at Whitekirk. It involves players paying an entry fee of 100 to play in an event, with 30 per cent of the field receiving prize-money. Aberdonian Greig Hutcheon, the winner at Whitekirk, won 800 in an event that attracted 44 competitors.

While Jones accepts there are "issues" in Scotland, he's not sure if Tait's Tour is the answer. "Alan clearly thinks there is a need for a circuit like this," he said. "It was the same concept he had before he came on committee and I don't think it worked in those days.

"That's one of my concerns about it. He may get 100 people playing in it, for example. After three or four events what happens with those who realise they may not be a winner? Will they keep sticking their 100 in? My question would be is it sustainable? Maybe it is. But for youngsters I'm not sure it leads them anywhere."