By Olivia McBride
OVER 500 young golfers will tee off on Tuesday as they take part in one of the world’s largest youth competitions.
The U.S. Kids Golf European Championship will be held at some of Scotland’s most prestigious golf courses over 3 days.
The youngsters aged between 5 and 18 will be battling it out to win the opportunity to compete in the elusive world championships in America.
Children from all across the globe are taking part in the competition travelling from as far as Myanmar (formerly Burma), Japan and Nigeria.
Bookies favourite is tennis superstar Anna Kournikova’s younger brother Allan, who won the competition last year.
President of U.S. Kids Golf, Dan Van Horn said: “Our ambition has been to see the European Championship grow in strength from year to year, so to see registrations hit record numbers clearly demonstrates the growing reputation and quality of the tournament.
He added: “We’re incredibly proud of the quality competition we have built in conjunction with the superb partnerships we have formed with golf clubs in Scotland. The European Championship is now a major fixture on the calendar for the world’s best young golfers.”
Tournament Coordinator Alasdair Good added: “We are also pleased to see an increasing number of players come to Scotland for the first time. This provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Scottish golf to the world, particularly in such an important year for Scotland with the Ryder Cup being played in September.
He went on to say: “East Lothian’s historic courses always provide a stunning setting and a great challenge for all of the competitors – a big reason why this tournament has become so popular.
The newest of the 5 grand courses is Craigielaw Golf Club, opening in 2001. Luffness New Golf Club was founded in 1894 and was designed by Old Tom Morris.
Gullane Golf Club, opened in 1882, is also being used in the tournament, with youngsters using both course two and three.
Longniddry Golf Club has a history dating back to 1567 where Mary Queen of Scots was known to be playing golf in the area.
