New Get Back To Golf Tour hailed as 'great success'

Alan Tait's new Get Back To Golf Tour staged its first event at Crail and the second one is now underway at Murrayshall

Alan Tait is hoping his new 'Get Back to Golf Tour' will go from strength to strength after seeing the opening event attract double the number of players he'd been expecting.

Tait, a well-kent face in Scottish golfing circles, set up the circuit to provide playing opportunities for professionals and amateurs through until the middle of October.

Crail staged the inauguaral event, with players having a ten-day window to play an 18-hole stroke-play round at a cost of just £30.

Tom Higson, one of the Tartan Tour's rising stars claimed the top prize with a brilliant 64 over the Craighead Links at the Fife venue, winning by three shots from Robbie Morrison, with Joe Bryce the leading amateur on 68.

“What a great success this inaugural event has been," said Tait, one of the most enthusiastic figures in the Scottish game. "I said before if I got 40 or 50 playing then it would be worth doing.

"To get a total field of 93 with a lovely mix of top amateurs, professionals, women, seniors and teenagers is absolutely brilliant.

"The feedback from the competitors has been fantastic, they have all really enjoyed being out there playing with their friends on a top-quality golf course and, importantly, with a scorecard in their hands again.

"Just about everyone of them has text or emailed to thank me and for giving them the opportunity to play, in what has been a hugely frustrating year. They didn’t have to do that, but it’s very appreciated all the same.

"I’m just delighted to help and do my wee bit for our golfers in Scotland. Crail has been an amazing venue and the general manager, David Roy, and his team were amazing. I can’t than them enough."

The next event at Murrayshall in Perthshire is now and up and running, having started on Monday and finishing next Wednesday.

“This is a great initiative and I think it may well be the future of pro/full-time amateur golf tournaments for some time to come," said Higson, who was attached to Gleneagles Hotel until earlier this year.

"The format is great. It’s fun, it’s sociable and it also carries a little bit of luck weather-wise, depending on what day you play, which just adds to the uniqueness.

"As well as the prize-fund there’s great additional prizes to be won, and all for 30 quid. What’s not to like! Craighead was in fantastic condition and Crail provided a really warm welcome. I look forward to playing in more of these events.”

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