BIDWELLS ARE NEW SPONSORS

OF SCOTTISH MEN'S OPEN

AMATEUR STROKE-PLAY

The Scottish Golf Union have announced that leading property consultants Bidwells are to be the new sponsors of the Scottish men's open amateur stroke-play championship, which takes place over 72 holes at Royal Dornoch this summer.
The championship – one of the SGU’s ‘Majors’ – celebrates its fortieth staging at the Dornoch course from June 1 to 3. A strong field is expected to line up as the game’s leading amateurs battle for vital world amateur golf ranking points. The event is also part of the Highland 2007 programme, celebrating Scotland’s year of Highland culture.
Past winners of the event include Colin Montgomerie (1985), Stephen Gallacher (1995), Alastair Forsyth (1996) and reigning US Amateur champion Richie Ramsay, who took the title in 2004.
Equity Partner of Bidwells (Scotland), Michael Norval, is delighted at the prospect of partnering one of the jewels in the Scottish amateur golf crown:
“As a company steeped in history and tradition yet with a modern and progressive outlook, we have a lot in common with the Scottish Golf Union and their Championships. Looking back at the list of former winners, you realise that this event is a great platform for nurturing the very best in Scottish talent. Also with 2007 being Scotland’s year of Highland Culture, it is a wonderful opportunity for Bidwells to be associated with the initiative.”
“As one of the UK’s largest property consultants, it is very apt that Bidwells are coming to one of the finest stretches of links golf land anywhere in the world with the staging of the Championship at Royal Dornoch.”

HOUSEHOLD NAME
Bidwells has been a household name in the south of England for more than 200 years but it is only in the past two decades that the company has grown throughout Scotland. With offices in Perth, Inverness and Fort William, Bidwells is now well established in the Scottish property market, with work in rural, planning, development and commercial services remaining a key part of its business.
Ross Duncan, the SGU’s Marketing & Sponsorship Manager, added:
“The Scottish Stroke Play Championship is arguably our best event in terms of its field, having had some of the leading amateur golfers across Europe taking part in the last few years. The investment from Bidwells into the event will further enhance the Championship and help support one of our key goals – developing talent.”
“We would encourage golf fans from the Highlands to turn up in good numbers to watch the exceptional players on show in what promises to be a fantastic golf event for the area.”
Alison Magee, chair of Highland 2007 said: “We are delighted to bring a major golf event to the Highlands during this special year. One of the biggest golfing events to take place in the Highlands, it has already begun to attract attention to the area from throughout the UK and the rest of Europe. ”

DEFENDING CHAMPION
The winner of last year’s Championship at Craigielaw, Scott Henry (Cardross), pictured above, has just returned from an excellent fourth place finish in the Australian equivalent while the man he beat into second place 12 months ago, England’s Ross McGowan, led the Portuguese Open after two rounds recently on only his second professional event.
The sponsorship is a further boost to the SGU’s commercial revenue, having added Dunfermline Building Society and an extended deal with Belhaven Breweries earlier this year. Bidwells have committed to a one-year deal with a two-year extension option for the Championship which is scheduled to take place at the Duke’s in St Andrews in 2008 and Murcar Links in 2009.