Field at Panmure will have handicaps of 4.7 or less

Bob Stewart facing strong

opposition as he defends

Scottish seniors' title

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
This month’s Scottish Seniors Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship has attracted one of the tournament’s strongest ever fields.
Hosted by Panmure Golf Club, Carnoustie from May 19 to 21, the handicap ballot for the 54 hole tournament has been set at a record low of 4.7. Players from the US and Sweden, as well as the other Home Unions, have undoubtedly been drawn by the prospect of competing at the Open qualifying venue as well as wanting to test their mettle against some of Scotland’s finest.
Tulliallan’s Bob Stewart, pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency after his triumph at Elgin, will be defending his title, while his Irish-based namesake Iain, who narrowly missed out last year at the first extra hole following a sudden death play– off at Elgin, also returns for another crack at the title.
Among the starting field of 144 is the legendary Ian Hutcheon, former Walker Cup player and past Scottish Amateur Champion. More recently, as three times holder of the Scottish Seniors title, Hutcheon has Charlie Green’s unmatched record five wins in the tournament in his sights.
The Monifieth maestro shared the bronze medal position last year along with two-time former Champion, Goring & Streatley’s David Lane, who is aiming to match Hutcheon’s hat-trick this year.
Other former champions in the starting line up include Callander’s Gordon MacDonald, winner of last year’s Seniors Order of Merit and the 2005 champion, and Cowal’s Stephen Ellis, the 2006 winner.
The competitors play 18 holes on each of the first two days with the top 40 players plus ties making the cut to contest the final round.
Commenting on the 32nd hosting of the event, SGU Events Manager Euan Mordant said, “We have a number of likely contenders for this championship title, with Ian Hutcheon from neighbouring Monifieth – he is also a member of Panmure - hoping to capitalise on his good local knowledge. Our current champion Bob Stewart, who showed great tenacity to win the play-off last year, is also not to be discounted as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
"With a number of potential outsiders in the form of overseas competitors also in the mix, the array of quality players this event has attracted will certainly make this a celebration of seniors golf.”
To be eligible for the event, entrants must be aged 55 years or over on the first day of the tournament, which is an SGU Seniors Order of Merit counting event.
Please find a link to the draw for the 1st day of action. http://www.golfbox.dk/livescoring/startlist.asp?tour=%7b270E0C5B-5CFD-4DD2-B69A-45A78563093C%7d&rd=1&clubOnly=1&color=1&lang=1033
Live scoring will be available for the duration of the event, please visit http://www.scottishgolf.org/ for results.
Kate Weldon
Communications Manager
Scottish Golf Union