Teenager James wins ‘chance of a lifetime’


at Renaissance Club

                       Jerry Sarvadi of Renaissance Club with winner James Morgan


Teenager James Morgan, from Preston Lodge High School, has earned the golden opportunity to play with the professionals in the Scottish Senior Open at Renaissance Club next month.
The 17-year-old, a three-handicap member of Longniddry Golf Club, joined two other East Lothian youths, Cameron Gallagher and Lewis Irvine, in the field for the first two days of the tournament on August 4 and 5, which affords amateurs to play alongside a pro over the popular alliance pro-am format.
Morgan accumulated 37 Stableford points – shooting a scratch 70 in the process – at a special Qualifier hosted by Renaissance Club in which 15 of East Lothian’s most talented young Secondary School golfers battled for the chance to play with the professionals.
Gallagher (Preston Lodge) and Irvine (Musselburgh High) were earlier selected through their ranking in the 2017 Secondary School Order of Merit organised by Active East Lothian.
Children of secondary school age from throughout East Lothian competed over the last year for this fantastic opportunity, which can only encourage more young people to become involved in the sport.
Morgan, who finished one point ahead of his fellow Preston Lodge pupil, Aaron Hall, admitted it was “the chance of a lifetime” to play alongside one of the European Senior Tour professionals for 36 holes of the three-day event next month.
“It’s an experience that money can’t buy,” he said. “We live and play golf in a wonderful part of the country – Scotland’s Golf Coast – and Renaissance Club is absolutely one of the very best courses, not just in the area but the whole of Scotland.
“I loved the experience and can’t wait to get back to play in the Pro-Am part of the tournament with one of the pros. It’s a privilege to play here in the Qualifier and also to come back for the main event. I am sure the experience will help my game a huge amount.
“My fellow Longniddry member, Cameron Gallagher, has played in this tournament previously as well as the Scottish Open at Gullane, so now I have an opportunity to join him in a big event!”
Entrance to the only European Tour event in the Lothians region in 2017 will be free to everyone, with a nominal charge being made for car parking, situated just a short walk from the first tee and 18th at the internationally-acclaimed Tom Doak-designed course.
Cars with solo occupancy will be charged £5 per day, while vehicles with one or more passenger will pay £10. All proceeds will be donated to the official event charity, which will be determined at a later date.
Sponsorship opportunities, including information on securing a place in the Alliance Pro-Am, are currently available for this year’s Scottish Senior Open. For all enquiries, email info.senior@europeantour.com