The Bidwells Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship hosted at Royal Dornoch Golf Club this week (1-3 June) has attracted one of the strongest field’s of competitors in the event’s 41 year history.

Reading like a who’s who of amateur golf, the draw list is littered with familiar names from the domestic and international scene, including overseas talent from the US, Australia, as well as the usual contingent of European entries keen to etch their name on the trophy.

Man of the moment, newly crowned Irish Amateur Champion Lloyd Saltman will prove hard to beat at this year’s 72-hole title race, fresh from his run of four consecutive wins including the Champion of Champions, Craigmillar Park Open as well as the prestigious Lytham Trophy.

Vying for the double, defending Champion Scott Henry from Cardross has already proven his pedigree in this event and will not relinquish his title without a hard fought contest. He is joined by a torrent of worthy rivals for the Stroke Play crown, including Scottish internationalists Keir McNicol, Paul O’Hara along with strong opposition from other Walker Cup squad members, England’s Gary Boyd and Stephen Lewton. With much focus on the Walker Cup later this year, a strong performance at Royal Dornoch may help to cement a much coveted place in the 2007 Walker Cup team.

The current and former Scottish Amateur Champions, Kevin McAlpine and Glenn Campbell along with West of Scotland Amateur Champion Jonathan King are also in the mix of title hopefuls, ready to mount the challenge at the par 70 links course.
 
Commenting on the event, SGU CEO Hamish Grey said, “The Bidwells Scottish Stroke Play is one of the key events in the SGU season, and the calibre of former title holders including Colin Montgomerie, Andrew Coltart, Alastair Forsyth and more recently US Amateur Champion Richie Ramsay, to name but a few, adds to the prestige of this tournament.
 
He added, “We are extremely grateful to our new sponsors Bidwells for their valued support of one of our flag ship events. Hosted at the historic Royal Dornoch, one of Scotland’s finest golf courses and boasting one of the strongest championship line-up’s, the 41st staging of this event, coinciding with the year of Highland Culture looks set to make this a memorable anniversary.”
 
Michael Norval, Equity Partner of Bidwells (Scotland), commented, “The diversity of the players adds to the anticipation surrounding the championship. It's very encouraging to see such a broad range of entries from across the globe coming to the Scottish Highlands to play at Royal Dornoch.

Bidwells, as main sponsors, are really looking forward to seeing the end result and finding out who will be crowned the 41st champion of this prestigious event.”

The Championship, part of the Highland 2007 programme, commences next Friday (1 June), with competitors hoping to survive the cut after the initial two rounds on day one and day two. Only the top 40 players plus ties will contest the last 36 holes in Sunday’s final in the 72 hole competition. 
 
Hosted for the first time at Royal Dornoch, the event attracted more than 200 entries, with the lowest handicap ballot in the history of the Championship set at +0.6. Spectators are encouraged to come along and watch golfing stars in the making.  Entry is free of charge. 
 
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Note to Editors:
 
• The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) is the governing body for men’s amateur golf in Scotland. The SGU exists to further the cause of golf; to attract newcomers to the game; to develop golfing skills at all levels and to provide support and advice to clubs.

• 217 entries were received, the ballot was +0.6 (73 reserves), this compares to previous years as follows:
 
Venue                                                        Year            No. of Entrants         H'cap
St Andrews Old & Jubilee                     1999                    256                       0.4
Letham Grange Old & New                  2000                    176                       1.0
Nairn & Nairn Dunbar                            2001                    203                       0.4
Southerness                                            2002                    212                       0.4
Turnberry - Kintyre course                     2003                    235                       0.0
Lundin                                                       2004                    245                     +0.5
Royal Aberdeen                                       2005                    209                     +0.5
Craigielaw                                                2006                    192                        0.1
Royal Dornoch                                        2007                     217                      +0.6
           
From 2002 onwards, the championship was played over one course.

• Bidwells is one of the UK’s largest property consultants. Bidwells has been a household name in the south of England for more than 150 years but it is only in the past two decades that the company has grown throughout Scotland. With offices in Perth, Inverness and Fort William, Bidwells is now well established in the Scottish property market, with work in rural, planning, development and  commercial services remaining a key part of its business.
 
• Bidwells are available for comment through Crossan Communications. For media equiries, please contact Iona MacPherson on 0131 553 1872 or iona@crossancom.co.uk
 
• Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and to visit through showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future. The project is a partnership between three principal funding agencies: The Highland Council, the Scottish Executive, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The year long celebration of Highland culture in 2007 will incorporate an exciting range of major and community events, as well as capital projects and “The Highland Promise” for young people. See www.highland2007.com for full details.