Crail plays host to new tour’s maiden event

Robbie Morrison finished second, Joe Bryce third and local golfer Jamie Mcleary ended in a tie for ninth.

Some 93 players teed it up locally for the tour event, the first of eight organised for amateurs and pros.

It allows 10 days for the round to be completed on the designated course before the score is submitted.

At the end of the tour a final will be played at Dumbarnie Links in October.

Organiser Alan Tait was delighted to see the event go with a swing.

He said: “What a great success this inaugural event has been.

“I said before if I got 40 or 50 playing then it would be worth doing.

“To get a total field of 93 with a lovely mix of top amateurs, professionals, women, seniors and teenagers is absolutely brilliant.

“The feedback from the competitors has been fantastic, they have all really enjoyed being out there playing with their friends on a top quality golf course, and importantly with a scorecard in their hands again.

“Just about everyone of them has text or emailed to thank me and for giving them the opportunity to play, in what has been a hugely frustrating year.

“They didn’t have to do that but it’s very appreciated all the same.

“I’m just delighted to help and do my wee bit for our golfers in Scotland.

“Crail has been an amazing venue and the general manager David Roy and his team were amazing.”

The competiton winner hailed the event and reckons it may well go on to grow from strength to strength as it develops.

Higson added: “This is a great initiative and I think it may well be the future of pro/full-time amateur golf tournaments for some time to come.

“The format is great.

“It’s fun, it’s sociable and it also carries a little bit of luck weather-wise, depending on what day you play, which just adds to the uniqueness.

“As well as the prize-fund there’s great additional prizes to be won, and all for 30 quid.

Murrayshall is hosting the second round.