In what already promises to be an exceptional sporting year with both the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup coming to Scotland, The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St Andrews has announced another major event is to be staged in 2014.
The International European Amateur Championships, the world’s leading amateur stroke-play championship will be hosted by The Duke’s, the resort’s award-winning heathland course, overlooking the home of golf.
A number of the game’s biggest names have used the International European Amateur Championships as a springboard to their professional careers including Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Carl Pettersson – all former winners of the prestigious title, with Scotland’s European Tour star Stephen Gallacher claiming victory in 1994.
The tournament – in its 25th year – has been staged in countries across Europe including France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Finland, Belgium, Portugal, Wales, Switzerland, Spain, England, The Netherlands and Ireland.
David Scott, Manager at The Duke’s Golf Club is “absolutely thrilled” with the announcement saying: “The last time Scotland hosted the Championships was at Nairn in 2003, so we are delighted to see the event come back to Scotland.”
David adds: “We know many clubs would love to host the championships, so we are delighted the decision has been taken to entrust The Duke’s with such a major event in the amateur golfing calendar.”
The event will be the perfect test for the world’s leading amateurs. David explains: “The European Amateur Championship will see 144 of the very best amateur golfers gather to do battle. The stakes could not be higher as the winner has an automatic place in the following year’s Open Championship and, in 2015, that will be back in St Andrews on the Old Course, so we are expecting the strongest field and an exceptional contest for such a sought-after prize.”
Hamish Grey, Chief Executive of the Scottish Golf Union, is “delighted” with the decision, saying: “We are looking forward to staging one of the world’s premier amateur events at The Duke’s and working with David and his team on what promises to be a fantastic championship. This will be our third major event at The Duke’s, having hosted both the Scottish Amateur Championship and Scottish Stroke Play Championship.”
David concludes: “We will be working hand-in-hand with the Scottish Golf Union over the two year countdown, ensuring we maintain the highest of standards, not only for our members, but also for visitors who will want to come and try out the course in light of this announcement.”
Daniel Pereira, General Manager at the five red star resort expresses his delight, saying: “David and the team at The Duke’s have done an amazing job in bringing the amateur championship to St Andrews.” Daniel adds: “Over recent years, David has overseen significant investment not only in the course – and in particular the greens – but also in the Clubhouse and our facilities which are amongst the very best available for golfers visiting the home of the game. It is no wonder The Duke’s now takes pride of place in the UK’s top 100 courses.”
The International European Amateur Championships will be held at The Duke’s from Monday 4th to Saturday 9th August 2014.
The Duke’s http://www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk/golf/dukes_landing.html