New St Andrews event teed up for young Scottish golfers

The Road to the Home of Golf has been launched by Scottish Golf and St Andrews Links Trust and is open to youngsters aged 18 and under with handicaps between 8.5 and 54.

Junior golfers, both male and female, can enter a qualifying event at their local club, with 102 players - 51 golfers in two separate handicap categories - being invited to a final in St Andrews.

Players with handicaps between 8.5 and 19.4 will play their final on the Eden Course and those from 19.5 to 54 will compete on the Strathtyrum Course.

Having been included as part of the overall five-figure tournament budget underwritten by the Links Trust, financial support is on offer for any youngsters requiring significant travel to attend the final.

‘Our role is to enhance junior development’

“This event represents an extremely positive step forward for our National Junior Framework and the programmes within it,” said Scottish Golf’s CEO Robbie Clyde.

“The framework provides fun and structured events and competitions for juniors across Scotland. However, beyond this, our role is to ensure programmes provide positive environments and experiences in golf that support and enhance junior development.

“The Road to the Home of Golf Final in October will provide a player experience to remember for those who qualify, rewarding and recognising their achievement.”

Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust, added: “Scotland’s junior golfers are the future of the game, and at the Home of Golf we believe we have a responsibility not just to provide playing opportunities, but competitive opportunities for youngsters to support them thrive in the sport.

“Working alongside Scottish Golf to develop the Road to the Home of Golf has enabled us to create a unique competition which ensures geography and costs of travel will not stop any young golfer from taking part.

New event hailed as a ‘great opportunity’

“We are incredibly proud of the work which has already been done and we are looking forward to hosting the first annual competition later this year.

“I would encourage all eligible junior golfers at affiliated clubs to enter. The Road to the Home of Golf will be a great opportunity to play, but also to meet others and build friendships across the sport.”