SCOTTISH YOUNG PROS' CHAMPIONSHIP AT WEST LOTHIAN

Press Release from the PGA in Scotland

The Scottish Young Professionals Championship returns this week to West Lothian Golf Club for the fourth time with a new name certain to be inscribed on the trophy as holder Graeme Brown is no longer eligible.

Dunbar’s Neil Fenwick, who played all four rounds at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles a fortnight ago, is one of the favourites, along with Keir McNicoll (Gullane), winner of the Young Professionals' 54 Hole Pro-Am at Shotts last month, and the current leader of the Assistants' Order of Merit.

Paul O’Hara from Clydeway Golf Range, in his first full season in the PGA ranks, is another who will be expected to feature at the top of the leaderboard this week.

There are two females in the field, Emma Fairnie from Gullane and Ailsa Bain (Cardrona), who will be striving to become the first lady Professionals to earn a place in the prize-giving ceremony on Thursday evening.

In all, 85 young professionals - we used to call them "assistant professionals" - are due to tee up in the 72 hole stroke-play competition, with the first rounds being played on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 36 holes being played following the cut on Thursday.

Roy Murray, Tournament Director, noted “The course is in superb condition, probably the best it’s been since West Lothian became the host venue. The greens are perfect and there is every chance of good scoring this week, especially if the wind drops.”

Alan Gibson, General Manager, West Lothian Golf Club. “We are pleased to welcome the Young Professionals back to West Lothian. The fact that the PGA bring such an important tournament to West Lothian is recognition of the quality of the facility that we have on offer, and we are extremely proud of that. The course has always produced an excellent winner in the past, and I am sure that will be the same this week.”

Play gets underway at 8am on Tuesday morning. Spectators are welcome and entry is free.