Golf: Search on for new Tartan Tour sponsors

THE Scottish region of the PGA, better known as the Tartan Tour, faces a struggle in 2009 to maintain past levels of prize money and playing opportunities for their members.

Professional golf isn't immune to the impact of the economic downturn and the regional tour is currently seeking a sponsor for the Northern Open, which has been a fixture on the calendar for nearly 80 years.

Gordon Dewar, secretary of the Scottish region, said: "We're determined to maintain the degree of competition our members have become accustomed to. Our two 72-hole championships, the Northern Open and our flagship event, the Gleneagles Scottish Championship, will definitely go ahead but at the moment the Northern, which takes place at the Spey Valley course on the outskirts of Aviemore, is without a sponsor. We've had four generous years from a sponsor, a member of the Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, who's insisted on being anonymous, and he still wishes us to recognise that. All I want to say to him is that the PGA here in Scotland are extremely grateful to him for his unstinting support.

"Needless to say, we in the PGA are actively seeking a replacement, and obviously would be happy to speak to any individual or organisation wishing to come aboard and help sustain a championship that goes back to 1931." The event will be held from 26-29 May.

Last year's winner of the Northern Open was Chris Doak, who went on to secure his card for the European Tour this season. While Dewar doesn't expect to see Doak on the Tartan Tour for a while – "We'll miss him, but if he's not playing with us then that means he's be competing on the main tour " – he described the Greenock man's performances on the Scottish region during 2008 as outstanding. "It was a stellar season, up there with what Colin Gillies accomplished a few years ago. In fact, after Chris won his tour card, this tops it."

No golfer had previously earned more on the circuit organised by the Scottish region of the PGA than Gillies in 2001 when the Tartan Tour golfer banked 41,950. Doak narrowly surpassed that figure with earnings of 42,045 thanks to five Order of Merit victories. Although he also won the Order of Merit in 2005, it was the first time he also led the money list.

It promises to be tricky for any golfer to match those feats this year, though the Gleneagles Scottish Championship, again being played over the PGA Centenary course from 25-28 June will provide a prize fund of 55,000.