Fife courses will host 2021 Tartan Pro Tour events

The tour was created last year by former Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie as a way of providing the nation’s male and female pros with a chance to compete and fill the void left by a host of cancelled events in 2020.

It was a terrific success in its first season and organisers are keen to build on that momentum this year.

Montrose Links hosts the opening of the 12-event campaign on April 15 and 16 before it moves on to Barassie Links in Kilmarnock.

The 2021 running will also include a match-play which will be contested throughout the year with the final taking place at Muirfield on September 30.

St Andrews and Royal Aberdeen will also host rounds on the Tartan Pro Tour before it ends with championship finals at Carnoustie, the scene of Lawrie’s Open victory in 1999, on October 18 and 19.

The tour’s growing stature has helped it attract sponsorship deals, and Farmfoods has joined up as title sponsor, with Lawrie delighted to have the retailer on board.

The 52-year-old said: “Farmfoods is a massive supporter of the sport and this will help benefit many of the country’s top talents.”

Also keen to show its backing is St Andrews Brewing Company and it will provide award-winning craft beers to golfers throughout the events planned for 2021, including a bespoke mini-keg for each winner.

Entries open on the Tartan Pro Tour app next Monday, March 1.