YOUNG SCOTS GUNNING FOR JONES CUP

GLORY AT SEA ISLAND, GEORGIA

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Five of Scotland’s most promising amateur golfers will escape the country’s big freeze by heading to Sea Island in Georgia for the Jones Cup Invitational early next month, one of the USA’s biggest amateur events.
Colville Park’s Ross Kellett, now the leading Scot in the World Amateur Golf Rankings at number 26, leads the group and will be joined by double Scottish champion David Law (Hazlehead), recently crowned Scottish Amateur Sportsperson of the Year.
Former Scottish Boys champion James White (Lundin) makes the trip alongside 2008 SGU Order of Merit winner Steven McEwan (Caprington) with last year’s Leven Gold Medal winner Philip McLean from Peterhead also invited to the prestigious tournament.
Some of the world’s leading amateurs will take part in the event, including world number two and reigning European Individual Champion Victor Dubuisson who pipped Kellett to the European title in his home country of France last summer. World number four Peter Uihlein will be the top ranked American in the field with England’s Walker Cup player Stiggy Hodgson also in the line-up.
Kellett, who also finished runner-up in the Argentinean Amateur Championship at the end of 2009, is relishing his debut in the event:
“Obviously the weather in Scotland hasn’t been great but I’ve been working hard over the winter and still managing to hit balls at Strathclyde Park Driving Range which has styed open. My game’s been in good shape for the last year and I’m looking forward to competing against the world’s best amateurs again and taking confidence from my other results overseas.”
“From speaking to the guys who have played the Jones Cup before, the courses and facilities are first class and it will allow us to really sharpen our short games and continue the preparations for the season ahead.”
“We’re very grateful to the Scottish Golf Union, members of golf clubs and the partners who support us to have these opportunities and I’m sure we can keep our recent run of success going, starting with some good performances in the Jones Cup.” he added.
The Jones Cup was first contested back in 2001 when Scotland’s Steven O’Hara finished runner-up to current PGA Tour star DJ Trahan and the event is part of the Jones’ family (who own the Sea Island Golf Club) commitment to amateur golf.
This year’s event takes place at the Ocean Forest golf course, 4 – 7 February with players competing over 54 holes of stroke play. For more information on the event, visit www.jonescupinvitational.com.