Scotland aim to end Irish dominance in Seniors

The hosts, who face newly-crowned European champions England in their opening match today, won the title the last time the contest was held on Scottish soil at Dunbar in 2006.

Last year they finished runners-up to Ireland in 2009, who successfully defended their title at Westport.

Six of the seven-strong Scottish team in action this week clinched the bronze medal at the aforementioned European event, beating Sweden in the third/fourth place play-off after losing to Ireland in the quarter-finals.

Scott Macdonald, the Scottish Senior champion, and Senior Order of Merit winner Tony Stafford lead the six-man side in the round-robin event.

They are joined in Fife by David Gardiner (Broomieknowe), John McDonald (Cowglen), Ian Taylor (Royal Burgess) and Jim Watt (Edzell).

Garth McGimpsey, who skippered Great Britain & Ireland to Walker Cup glory at Ganton in 2003, will spearhead Ireland's bid for a third title in a row while former world speedway champion Dave Jessup headlines a strong English side.

Over on the other side of the country, most of the successful Scottish women's team in their equivalent European event are in the line-up for the Senior British Women's Open Amateur Championship over the next three days at West Kilbride.

Defending the title in Ayrshire is Welsh legend Vicki Thomas, who knows what it takes to be a winner in Scotland.

The former Curtis Cup star and multiple Welsh champion won the Ladies British Open Amateur Stroke-Play Championship at Strathaven in 1990.