Golf: Honest Toun hails Willie Park

AN EVENT being held this weekend to celebrate Willie Park winning the first-ever Open Championship is just the start of a concerted bid to let the golfing world know about Musselburgh's rich golfing history.

Eighty golfers from all over the UK and Europe were due to be out on the town's Old Links today in an Open competition to mark the 150th anniversary of Musselburgh man Park's victory at Prestwick.

Ten winners in different categories will be back at the course within Musselburgh racecourse tomorrow for a pro-am, with a gala dinner being held tonight in the town's Brunston Hall.

Mungo Park, the great, great grandson of Willie Park, is speaking at that, as is Alex Hay, the former BBC golf commentator and one of Musselburgh's many famous golfing sons.

"We want everyone in the world to know about Musselburgh's golfing history," said Alan Hay, vice chairman of Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council.

"Musselburgh was part of the original triangle with St Andrews and Prestwick and, between now and the 2013 Open at Muirfield, we will be trying to get as many people as we can around the world to come and play at the Old Links."

Former Scottish champion Chris Kelly is among the pros taking part in tomorrow's event and he's due to be joined by Elliot and Zack Saltman, Lee Harper, Chris Russell, Kenny Glen, Jonathan Porteous, Chris Callman and Sean McAllister.

They'll partner amateurs in a two-ball, better-ball competition.