Castle Stuart spend £70,000 on drainage

scottish Open organisers are confident there will be no repeat of last year’s landslides at Castle Stuart after more than £70,000 has been spent on improving drainage at the Inverness venue.

Changes have also been made to the course, where Luke Donald closed with a 63 and won with a 19-under-par total over 54 holes last July, in a bid to stiffen up the test for the world’s best players.

Chris Haspell, the course manager, said the drainage work had been undertaken as a precaution, despite the course traditionally being one of the driest in Britain.

“It will help keep play moving at all times,” he said. “In any normal weather year this wouldn’t be necessary, but we were very keen to work with the European Tour and the players to help make Castle Stuart a great venue for tournament golf even under the severest of conditions.”

New tees have been built at the ninth, 12th and 15th holes, extending the overall length by 150 yards to 7,193. Some new bunkers have also been added. “We’re confident the changes will make the course more challenging without losing any of its original character or charm,” said Castle Stuart’s general manager Stuart McColm.

“The changes certainly weren’t knee-jerk – it was always our intention to consider making changes after last year’s tournament to see what might improve the experience for players and spectators alike.”

Mike Stewart, the tournament director, added: “Everyone who competed at last year’s tournament was hugely impressed with the course layout. The changes – together with new drainage facilities – have improved what was already a world-class venue.”

This year’s £2.5 million event takes place on 12-15 July.