As the golfing world’s attention was on the Open at Muirfield, a nod was made to our sporting past on the Angus coast.
Montrose Golf Links, where the sport has been played for more than 450 years, saw top women’s golfer Catriona Matthew launch the World Hickory Open 2013 with reigning champion Rick Valentine.
Carnoustie Country ambassador Matthew, one of the main contenders at the Ricoh Women’s British Open next month, matched Valentine over three holes in authentic garb from a century ago.
“It’s been great fun today and I’ve really enjoyed it,” she told The Courier. “You see the difference between the size of the drivers and it makes you really appreciate how well they hit the ball.”
Valentine won last year’s competition at Monifieth Medal and Carnoustie Burnside.
He said: “The first three holes are really beautiful and looking out over the rest of the course it looks like a fantastic venue for the tournament later in the year, and it’s obviously seen many a tournament over several hundred years.”
Organiser Lionel Freedman said: “Since I founded the World Hickory Open, there was one other in Sweden.
“Now every country in Europe has one.”
The event takes place in Montrose on October 1 and 2.