Hot on the heels of this week’s Dunhill Cup, Carnoustie is preparing for another high profile golf event.
The Carnoustie Country Festival of Golf 2014, runs from Saturday until October 12 and the celebration of the area’s 450-plus years of golfing history features several tournaments, including the World Hickory Open (WHO).
The 10th World Hickory Open starts with a warm up round at Forfar on Monday, with the WHO Championship taking place at Panmure on October 7 and 8.
World Hickory Open founder and director, Lionel Freedman, said that the 100 golfers participating in this year’s tournament cover all skill levels, from curious golfers keen to find out more about the traditions of the game to high-ranking amateurs and professionals who have embraced hickory golf with a passion.
“Being able to play on a beautiful, historic course such as Panmure, where, close on 100 years ago, golfers played the great game with almost identical clubs, wearing similar golfing outfits and to comparable rules really appeals to hickory golf enthusiasts,” said Lionel.
In addition, there will be a Ryder Cup-style hickory golf tournament on October 9 and 10, when top hickory golfers from the USA will compete against the World Hickory Select team at Monifieth.
“The competition between the two teams is expected to reach fever pitch, just as it did with the Ryder Cup,” added Lionel.
The Carnoustie Country Festival of Golf also features Open Texas Scrambles at Strathmore Rannalroch, Montrose and Arbroath, with all three events proving highly popular with gofers from near and far.
Councillor Mairi Evans, Angus Council’s spokeswoman for tourism, said: “As well as helping to ensure that Carnoustie Country continues to enhance its reputation as a must-visit golfing destination, Carnoustie Country Festival of Golf is also about encouraging golfers to join their local golf club and experience nearby golf courses.”