SCOTTISH MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT DOWNFIELD
CONFIDENT CULVERWELL OUT TO
BEAT 31-YEAR JINX ON TITLE-HOLDERS
NEWS RELEASE FROM SGU
Alexander
Culverwell has set his sights on becoming the first player in 31 years
to defend the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship title at Downfield
next week – so the
coveted trophy can reclaim pride of place in his house.
Twelve
months ago, at Blairgowrie, the Dunbar member achieved his biggest
success in the game after seeing off Lundin’s James White in a tight
final tussle.
Culverwell
was never behind as he claimed a narrow 2 and 1 victory in the 36-hole
final over the Lansdowne Course, keeping the silverware in the Lothians’
hands after Grant Forrest’s
2012 win.
The
26-year-old – who earlier this season brought the curtain down on his
University of Stirling career by skippering his team to the British
Universities crown – has enjoyed
the experience of being Scottish Amateur champion and the opportunities
it has afforded him.
Twice
Culverwell has teed-up with the professionals on the European Tour, at
last year’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and the Aberdeen
Asset Management Scottish
Open at Royal Aberdeen earlier this month, and feels his game has
further improved since his triumph in the Scottish Golf Union’s flagship
event.
“It’s
been an amazing year, winning the Scottish Amateur has opened up lots
of doors and given me some great opportunities,” said Zander, seeking to
emulate the last player
to defend the crown, the late Cardross great Charlie Green in 1983.
“It’s
been unbelievable to play alongside some of the best players on Tour,
who you see on TV week in week out. I’ve learnt a lot and picked up
great experience.
“I’m
really looking forward to defending my title at Downfield and didn’t
want to give up the trophy. It’s got a special place in the house and
would leave a big gap if it
wasn’t there!
“I'm playing much more consistent golf this year so I'm coming into the tournament in good form.”
A
field of 256 players, balloting at a handicap of 2.0, will chase one of
the most coveted prizes in Scottish amateur golf at Downfield from 28
July – 2 August, with the event
enjoying title sponsorship from Fairstone Financial Management for the
second year of their three-year deal, having also sponsored the Scottish
Area Team Championship for three years previously. A total of 142 clubs
will be represented, with Glenbervie GC
boasting the most players with 10.
At
the challenging former Open Championship qualifying venue in Dundee,
eighth seed Culverwell will face a stiff test from several players who
have enjoyed fine seasons.
Amateur
champion Bradley Neil is the top seed, with the Blairgowrie player
teeing up for the first time since making his debut in The Open
Championship at Hoylake.
Neil
and St Andrews Links Trophy winner Forrest of Craigielaw, the second
seed, will both fancy their chances at Downfield, ahead of competing, as
top-50 ranked players, in
the US Amateur Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club from 11 August.
Interestingly, Forrest faces his clubmate in round one, Greg Smail, who
caddied for him in last year’s Open.
Forrest’s
fellow Palmer Cup-winning team-mates Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock
Barassie) and James Ross (Royal Burgess) will also hope to shine, as
will Irish Open Stroke Play champion
Jamie Savage (Cawder), as they seek to join a roll of honour which
includes the likes of Green, Colin Dalgleish, Colin Montgomerie, Stephen
Gallacher, Dean Robertson and Steven O’Hara.
Downfield
hosts the Scottish Amateur for the fourth time and the last victor at
the venue, Barry Hume, in 2001, may also be one to watch, after the
former professional returned
to the amateur circuit at the start of last season. Bearsden’s Ewen
Ferguson, now the holder of both Boys’ matchplay and strokeplay titles,
will seek to better his run to the quarter-finals last year.
A
superb week’s golf is sure to lie ahead at Downfield, one of the finest
inland courses in the UK set in beautiful Angus parkland.
Lee
Hartley, Chief Executive of sponsors Fairstone, said: "We’re delighted
to support the Scottish Amateur Championship on top of our sponsorship
of golf's Home Internationals
and Newcastle Falcons rugby team.
“Fairstone
has a strong association with golf throughout the UK and our investment
is helping the game's governing bodies to stage these big events and
give the top amateurs
the platform to showcase their talents. It’s great to build our brand
through this association and we look forward to a great week at
Downfield."
The
2014 Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship starts at 6.45am on Monday
(28 July) and concludes with the 36-hole final teeing off on Saturday
morning (2 August). Spectators
are encouraged to come along and support their local favourites with
FREE entry to the course.
Live scoring and regular updates will be available throughout the week on
www.scottisholf.org, on Twitter @SGUGolf or on SGU Facebook while the full draw can be accessed by
clicking here.
Fairstone
Financial Management has teamed up with the Scottish Golf Union to
offer golf club members a £25 voucher to spend at your club or pro shop
on completion of a free
no obligation pension and investment review. To find out more visit www.fairstone.co.uk/golf
Labels: Amateur Men
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