Media Release: Scottish Challenge returns to Cardrona

2008 sees The Scottish Challenge return to the picturesque Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf and Country Club for the second year of a three year agreement with Macdonald Hotels and Resorts. The tournament also welcomes back the financial commitment and support of EventScotland, the national events agency.

Now, in its third year, The Scottish Challenge has, so far, fulfilled what it set out to do; namely support, develop and grant opportunity to Scotland’s elite golfing talent as they transition from amateur to professional.

This year, as a direct result of Scotland hosting a European Challenge Tour event, we see Eric Ramsay and Jamie McLeary cement their position on the Tour alongside our other exciting up and coming European Challenge Tour players Andrew McArthur, Richie Ramsay and George Murray.

In addition, we are able to grant playing opportunities to the next generation of players including Lloyd and Elliot Saltman, Scott Jamieson and Lee Harper.

Paul Bush, chief operating officer, EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “The Scottish Challenge continues to help develop the careers of Scotland’s aspiring professionals and is why we’re delighted to sustain our support of one of the biggest events on the European Challenge Tour schedule.”

“As an organisation we’ve identified the opportunities the Scottish Challenge provides in helping the development of young Scottish golfing talent as we look forward to hosting the Ryder Cup in 2014.

“We’ve already seen the benefits of the last two years with a number of players, such as Jamie McLeary and Eric Ramsay, gaining full playing privileges on the Challenge Tour, something which wouldn’t have happened without the Scottish Challenge event.”

Ruaridh Macdonald, marketing director, Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, added: “Our commitment to The Challenge Tour represents one of the first Major sponsorships on behalf of Macdonald Golf and, along with Macdonald Golf Ambassador Sandy Lyle, we welcome back the Challenge Tour players, old and new, to Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf and Country Club this year.

“We are committed to growing Macdonald Golf in Scotland and with high profile events such as The Scottish Challenge, a very high quality product, strong team and support from Sandy Lyle, the brand continues to go from strength to strength.”

Alain de Soultrait, director of the European Challenge Tour, said: “We are very much looking forward to the ‘Scottish Challenge’ returning to Cardrona in 2008, with a golf course and facilities that were highly praised by the professional golfers last year.”

MEDIA RELEASE posted by EventScotland. You too can post a media release (aka press release) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.

Contact: Alan Grant
Phone: 0131 472 2314
Email: alan.grant@eventscotland.org
Website: http://www.EventScotland.org