Hampton forced to change partner for Black Isle event
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ROYAL Dornoch Golf Club general manager Neil Hampton, a five time winner of the Black Isle Foursomes with Elgin’s Colin Taylor and losing finalist with Taylor 12 months ago, has had to change partners for this weekend’s competition over the Fortrose and Rosemarkie course.
Taylor is unavailable due to school holidays but had he turned up again with Hampton for the attractive early season event they would have joined two other couples who made it through to last year’s scratch semi-finals, the 2013’s first time winners, Inverness pair David Sanderson and John Forbes, and the local club secretary Mike MacDonald and his club partner Chris Gaittens.
In Taylor’s absence Hampton will now partner ex-Royal Dornoch club captain Hamish MacRae and the strength of the field is maintained with the continued attendance of four time winners local
Alan Cameron and Ewan Forbes (Inverness).
Solicitors, Munro & Noble continue their sponsorship of the two-day competition which stars on Saturday with two stroke-play rounds to determine Sunday’s scratch and handicap match-play qualifiers.
Locally, Royal Dornoch host their annual junior open competition on Sunday.
Spectators hoping to travel to Aberdeen in July to view the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open have until April 20th to reserve admission tickets at a reduced rate.
After three years at Castle Stuart the event has moved to the acclaimed Balgownie Links of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. But the legacy of Castle Stuart providing two recent Open Champions, Darren Clarke and Phil Mickelson after playing a links course event in advance of their Open triumphs has not been overlooked by the glittering entry for Balgownie.
Last years’ Scottish winner and Open champion, Mickelson, returns to defend his Scottish crown along with the 2011 Claret Jug winner, Clarke who made the point of experiencing Castle Stuart’s storms before moving on to Royal St. Georges for the Open. Both are hoping to take the same route to victory this year at Royal Liverpool from July 17 to 20.
Completing a star-studded entry in Aberdeen by making his first attempt at lifting the Scottish title is Irish sensation Rory McIlroy and Clarke’s Ryder Cup partner, Lee Westwood.
Practice at Balgownie commences on Monday 7th July, the Pro-Am is on Wednesday July 9th with the competition running from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th July. Contact the PGA Tour website for ticket purchases.
