Kent-based Orkney islander, Craig Sutherland, claimed victory in the 36-hole Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Qualifying Tournament at North Berwick to claim the first of five precious spots in the field for the £3.25 million event starting on his 37th birthday this Thursday.
Sutherland edged aside West Linton professional Gareth Wright in a sudden-death play-off after the pair finished with 12 under par aggregates of 130. Sutherland rolled in a 20 foot birdie putt after returning to the 18th hole to secure the first qualifying spot and a cheque for £7500.
The inaugural qualifier, which came to fruition through the dedication and vision of Scotland’s former First Minister Alex Salmond, Martin Gilbert, the CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management, VisitScotland and The European Tour, proved to be a huge success. North Berwick was in superb condition to host the event, and the local fans turned out in numbers to create a tournament-like atmosphere.
Sutherland has yet to make an appearance on The European Tour but can’t wait to make a debut in one of the Tour’s most lucrative and popular events. He admitted: “Making my debut on my 37th birthday is a pretty good present!
“I’ve lost my accent, but I promise you I’m Scottish,” Craig Sutherland
“I was born in the Orkney Isles and went to school there. When I was 16 I then went to London to live with an uncle and got a job at Hendon Golf Club. I played full-time through 2001 to 2006 before becoming the head pro at Cherry Lodge in Kent. “
Wright, a Welshman based in Edinburgh who also qualified for The 2013 Open Championship at the same course, was helped by a hole-in-one when he dispatched his eight iron at the fourth.
The next two places in Thursday’s first round draw went to Greig Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) and Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) as the two former Scottish PGA champions finished a shot behind as the leading pair.
Hutcheon, the Tartan Tour Number One, secured his sixth appearance in a Scottish Open with rounds of 65 and 66, while Fox will be making his debut in the event thanks to the same scores but the other way around.
The event will include local lad, amateur Calum Hill, just 19 years old, who secured a spot over his home course of North Berwick. With rounds of 64 and 68 the teenager claimed the fifth and final place in the field – a dream come true for the University of Louisiana Monroe scholar.
“It is brilliant,” he said. “I’ve given myself something really exciting to look forward to now and I can’t wait to get along the road to Gullane tomorrow morning.”
His parents own a guest house in North Berwick and he had plenty of locals out supporting him in both rounds. “That was a lot of fun,” he said. “I felt really comfortable and played well.
“I was in the States when I heard this event was going to be held at North Berwick so I let the Scottish Golf Union know that I’d be keen to get one of the amateur spots. I was pretty excited when I got the shout as I felt confident that I could do really well around here.”
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