Gordon insists seniors must not miss the boat

Boat of Garten Golf Club amateur Gordon MacDonald believes the Staysure PGA Trophy should strike a chord with senior players for years to come.

Inverness-based MacDonald will team up with PGA professional Ross Harrower for the Scottish qualifying round of the event which will be held at Crieff Golf Club on June 19.

He and Harrower will be aiming to reach the final which is being held from July 31 to August 1 at the London Golf Club near Sevenoaks, Kent.

The pro-am competition sponsored by Staysure, the insurance specialists for over 50s, has been launched by the PGA this year and carries a £30,000 prize fund.

“I welcome this competition absolutely, you see most of the competitions are aimed at up and coming youngsters, but very few for senior amateur players,” said MacDonald, a health service manager who plays off a handicap of five.

“The key thing is that the over 50s will be very important for the next 20 years or so.

“They’re the ones who are drifting back into golf and that’s happening across the UK. It makes sense to have some connection with that age group.”

MacDonald has been a member of Highland club Boat of Garten for nine years.

“People ask me why on earth I’d pass three golf courses to drive to the Boat every Saturday,” said the 51-year-old.

“Ultimately, it’s a phenomenal challenge. And the best inland course I have ever played.

“It’s on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, five minutes from Aviemore. We used to have the third highest footfall for visitors in the Highlands.

“Once you play it, you want to play it again, it’s outstandingly beautiful.”

Other teams due to play at Crieff include:  Neil Colquhoun/Geoff Harris (Merchants of Edinburgh);   Steven Dunsmore/James Smith (Falkirk Tryst); Gary McFarlane/Terrence Nelson (Clober Golf Club); Scott Thomson/Andrew Milligan (Haddington Golf Club); and Stuart Wilson/Ken McCombie (Portlethen Golf Club)

For more information on the Staysure PGA Trophy event at Crieff click here.