September date for Northern Open as Tartan

Tour supremo hunts for new sponsor

FROM THE PRESS AND JOURNAL TODAY
The Northern Open, one of Scotland's oldest professional evnts, could be staged as late as September to give Tartan Tour officials as much time as possible to attract a sponsor for the tournament.
The 72-hole championship, which boats a celebrated list of past winners, including john Panton, Brian Barnes and Alastair Forsyth, is usually held in May But it lost its backer in 2009 and new Scottish PGA secretary Michael MacDougall has instigated a rethink.
Last year's contest at Spey Valley, Aviemore was compressed into three days, with 36 holes shoehorned into the final day, and had a drastically reduced prize fund.
MacDougall is eager to avoid a repeat.
"We need to stage a proper 72-holer and the way it was last year is that what we want," he said.
"That's why it's not going to be held early in the season. We are not rushing into it. There is a space in the schedule in September and that would give us mre time to nail down a sponsor.
"That will be our focus over the next few months and we're working hard to achieve that."
Greig Hutcheon (Banchory), a former Scottish PGA champion, hopes someone will come forward to support the event. He said: "The Northern Open has a lot of history and it is a shame it is struggling to find a sponsor. We need the tournament to remain on the Tartan Tour as it is one of our most popular events.
"I am sure Michael MacDougall will be doing all he can to maintain its profile. If it has to be put back to September that's fine as I am sure the course will still be beautiful at that time of the year.
"With the right marketing, it can be a big success. It features 156 players every year and I remember when it was a Challenge Tour event and Craig Cassells won it in 1991 at Moray.
"The launch of the new Xltec Pro Golf Tour shows there is still an appetite for tournament golf in Scotland.
"Having had some goods new with its launch, it would be a real shame if we lost as prestigious an event as the Northern Open."
MacDougall, meanwhile, has confirmed that Callaway, the golf equipment manufacturer and a sponsor for the Tartan Tour for seven years, has reduced its commitment to the circuit.
Three 36-hole events backed by the firm were in danger of disappearing from the schedule but MacDougall has acted swiftly and has so far salvaged two.
They will be played at Monifieth and The Roxburghe and will now be sponsored by SkyCaddie.
+The Northern Open, first played in 1933, had a three-day format for 72 holes until more recent times when a round a day became the norm.