Intriguing mix peppers Tartan Tour

The new Tartan Tour event is unique on the Scottish circuit

The new event is unique on the Scottish circuit in the sense that it has four competitions rolled into one on the Ayrshire course owned by Loch Lomond Golf Club.

The main battle is over 54 holes and is likely to involve players such as Banchory’s Greig Hutcheon and Paul McKechnie, a Challenge Tour card holder this season.

Just as intriguing over the opening two days, though, will be separate contests for club pros, trainees and seniors.

Among those competing in the middle of those events is Gullane’s Keir McNicoll, who will be bidding to cap a successful week after he was named as the PGA’s Rookie of the Year.

It’s been quite some time since the likes of John Chillas, Bill Lockie and Fraser Mann were budding young assistants, but they’ll also be relishing a competitive outing.

With the likes of Andrew Oldcorn, former European No 1 Ronan Rafferty and Ross Drummond also in the seniors’ category, though, it will take someone to roll back the years to come out on top in that.

Meanwhile, the prizes are being shared around on the Scottish Boys’ circuit this season after Cawder’s Calum Fyfe won the Scottish Hydro Junior Tour event at Moray.

Scores of 70, 71 and 72 for a three-over total secured a one-stroke victory for Fyfe in the  circuit’s opening event, which followed Niall McMullen (Lundin) and Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden) claiming the Scottish Junior Champion of Champions and Scottish Boys’ titles respectively.