Amateurs earn chance to take on the pros

A NEW series of events on the Tartan Tour will see Scotland's top amateurs test themselves against the country's leading home-based professionals.

The 'Sprint to St Andrews' will involve five 18-hole qualifiers, each carrying a minimum prize fund of 5,000, culminating in a 36-hole final at the Duke's Course at St Andrews, where a pot of 10,000 will be up for grabs. It is intended that up to ten places in each field will be made available to accommodate leading amateurs chosen by the Scottish Golf Union.

"This is an exciting addition to our schedule, which I'm sure will be well supported by our members," said Michael MacDougall, secretary of the PGA's Scottish Region.

The first qualifying event will be held at Dundonald Links on 20 May, with Dunbar on 23 June and Cawder on 22 July having also been confirmed. The two other venues have yet to be finalised.

Points will be awarded to leading finishers to form a mini-order of merit, from which the final field of 30 will be formed.

While the amateurs will, of course, be ineligible for any prize money, the chance to test themselves against pros is seen by the SGU as a positive step in the development of players.