Aberdeen Asset Management to sponsor Northern Open

FROM TODAY'S ABERDEEN PRESS AND JOURNAL
The immediate future of the Northern Open has been secured after Aberdeen Asset Management agreed to become the event's sponsor.
The international investment management company, which also has close ties to Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie and Sandy Lyle, will sponsor the tournament for the next three years.
Event promoter Bryan Hendry said: "Aberdeen Asset Management is a global company with its heart in Scotland and I am delighted that they want to grow this tournament with us and join us in a three-year deal with Meldrum House.
"I am looking forward to working with them, the PGA and Meldrum House to take the tournament forward."
The future of the Scotland's oldest professional tournament, first played at Royal Aberdeen in 1931, was in doubt at the beginning of the year, due to a lack of a sponsor but Hendry, who approached the Scottish PGA, asking for the chance to promote the event, has succeeded in bringing the tournament back to the North-east of Scotland has now landed a major backer.
Martin Gilbert, pictured above by Andy Forman, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management who have an option to extend the agreement beyond the next three years, said: "We are very proud to lend our support to such an historic Scottish golf event. Along with the event organisers we are aiming to reinstate this event firmly back into the Scottish golf calendar.]
"Everyone at Aberdeen is looking forward to seeing the event flourish and prosper over the next three years.
"This year's event at Meldrum House, will start with an invitational pro-am on Monday, September 20 with the 72-hole championship starting the following day. The final 36 hols will be played on the Thursday.