Teeing Up In the Race to St Andrews

Young Perth and Kinross County golfers have The Home of Golf in their sights.

“The Race to The Castle” series got under way this week at Perth’s Craigie Hill Golf Club.

The first leg was won by Blairgowrie Golf Club and Scotland squad player Gregor Graham with a 68 scratch score.

The series is being backed for the next three years by Perthshire company Graham Environmental Services, which also sponsors the bag of Challenge Tour star Bradley Neil.

The showpiece finale of the season will be held at The Castle Course, which was designed by award-winning Auchterarder raised architect David McLay Kidd.

Stuart Graham, director with Graham Environmental Services, said: “We are delighted to be associated with this popular series, which encourages young golfing talent across Perth and Kinross.

“We supported Bradley last season when he made history by becoming the first Big County player to reach The European Tour for decades.

“Hopefully a series like this will help youngsters follow in his footsteps.

“The Castle Course at St Andrews is one of Scotland’s finest challenges and will be a suitably prestigious venue for the finale on Sunday, October 20.”

Boys and girls are invited to enter junior opens being held at clubs across the region.

Boys and girls are invited to enter junior opens being held at clubs across the region, with Ladybank also in the mix this year. Series points will be awarded for the top five scratch and top five handicap places at each open.

The top eight points scorers overall and top four 14-and-under players, scratch and handicap, will progress to the finals day.

Perth and Kinross County Golf secretary Alan Cargill welcomed the company’s backing for the “Race to The Castle.”

“We are delighted to welcome Graham Environmental Services as our sponsor for the next three years.

“The company’s ties to The Castle have helped pave the way to securing an exciting venue for the showpiece finale, hard on the heels of The Dukes and Kingsbarns.

“The carrot of playing iconic courses offers a great incentive for the youngsters and ensures the series is the envy of areas across Scotland.”

There is still time to register and enter junior opens at www.perthandkinrosscountygolf.net

Courses in the series include Craigie Hill, Alyth, Muckhart, Comrie, Murrayshall, King James VI, Blairgowrie, Auchterarder, Kinross, Strathmore, Milnathort, Pitlochry, St Fillans, Dunning, Ladybank, Dunkeld and Birnam, North Inch and Crieff.