Links trophy heading for top

The St Andrews Links Trophy, currently Europe’s top stroke play tournament for amateur golfers is targeted to become ‘The Best in The World’ and underline the commitment of St Andrews Links Trust to amateur golf at all levels.

Who could have thought when Russell Claydon won the inaugural Trophy in 1989, little over ten years ago, that a 72 hole amateur tournament played over St Andrews’ historic links would attract entries from all the major golfing nations of the world.

Now, with Burberry in place as a new global sponsor, the Links Trophy is set to reach even greater heights and gain worldwide recognition as the No1 stroke play tournament for amateur golfers.

A Burberry spokesman said: “Golf has long been part of Burberry's history: the company has clothed golfers since the turn of the century. As the luxury brand moves forward, it takes inspiration from the past. British sport has always been important to Burberry's heritage and the Burberry Golf line reflects our long term association with active pursuits.”

“Burberry is proud of its association with the Home of Golf and with this prestigious tournament.”

In addition to Burberry, the other sponsors supporting the Links Trophy and amateur tournaments played at St. Andrews are Rolex, Sunderland of Scotland, Fraser Smart Architects, Textron and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Commenting on this new agreement and on other significant changes, Niall Flanagan, the Golf Services Manager for St Andrews Links said: “In addition to our own players who are hoping to be in the Walker Cup team which faces America in August, we also want to attract even more of the top amateurs from overseas. St Andrews is known throughout the world as the ‘Home of Golf ‘ and it is fitting that we should be recognised for our unparalled support of amateur golf at every level. The St Andrews Links Trophy is only one part of the complete package making up that support.”

This year, the St Andrews Links Trophy will get underway over the New and Old Courses on Saturday 26th May when each player in the field of 120 will be aiming to be one of the 44 qualifiers to compete in the final 36 holes over the Old Course on the Sunday. Given reasonable weather conditions, a sub-par score has, in the past, been needed to win the Trophy and that was certainly the case when the New Course was last used as one of the Qualifying courses in 1998.

On that occasion, Craig Watson, the eventual winner of the Trophy, shot a 63 in his second round over the New Course, a course record, only to find that his score was lowered by three shots by Icelandic player Orn Hjartarson who bettered par by 11 strokes to set an unbelievable record of 60.

Walker Cup captain Peter McEvoy, has fond memories of St Andrews where he finished top amateur in the 1978 Open and commented; “All things being equal, a tournament at
St Andrews will always be better than a tournament anywhere else in the world. However in addition to that fact, the St Andrews Links Trust have produced a comprehensive cross-section of events for players of every category with the St Andrews Links Trophy a wonderful stroke play tournament for the world’s best players.”

Keith Williams, the English Golf Union National Coach said; “Next to the Amateur Championship, the St Andrews Links Trophy must rate as one of the major European events on the amateur golf circuit so it is imperative that our top players compete in this prestigious tournament. Not only are they competing against the best opposition in European amateur golf but they have the opportunity to play on the finest and most historic course in the world and whatever their score, they are sure to go away with a lifetime memory and experience.”

While the St Andrews Links Trophy sets the standard for men’s amateur golf, the other tournaments played over courses run by St Andrews Links Trust cater for golfers of all abilities and are equally important in generating support for amateur golf and in particular for developing the sport at grassroots level.

The St Rule Trophy, a scratch tournament for women, is traditionally played on the weekend following the Links Trophy, and, in attracting a top quality field from home and abroad, mirrors the appeal that St Andrews has for all golfers. Scotland’s own Vickki Laing is the defending champion following her win in the weather-curtailed event last year.

The Eden Tournament is probably the best known of St Andrews’ other tournaments and since its inception in 1919 has produced a long and distinguished list of winners who include Charlie Green, Findlay Black and Sandy Pirie from the early 60’s and more recently Youth Internationalist Alan Mathers and Glasgow County player Gus Lamond. Lyall Rowan was the 2000 title holder but to mount a successful defence, he will have to come out on top of the field of 120 who will be competing over the Eden and New Courses from Monday 13th to Friday 17th August.

A further three tournaments cater for other categories of golfers; The Strathtyrum Trophy for ladies which is run along similar lines and at the same time as the Eden Tournament and The St Andrews Boys’ Open and the St Andrews Junior Ladies’ Open, both of which are played over the Eden and Old Courses from Monday 6th to Friday 10th August.