Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square became a welcome sanctuary for golf fans and shoppers alike over four days as part of the build-up to the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open to be played at Archerfield Links near North Berwick from August 19-21.
East Lothian Council took over the city centre location and converted the popular Square into Scotland’s Golf Coast Village in recognition of that famous stretch of golfing territory containing some of the world’s finest courses.
Additionally, the exercise was designed to help promote a number of top class events being held in East Lothian this summer, including the Paul Lawrie Match Play and the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open, both being staged at Archerfield in August.
Despite a mixed bag of weather from Thursday through to Sunday, the temporary village was visited by hundreds of golf enthusiasts and novices, who were able to try out the sport and to meet two of Scotland’s top professionals in Paul Lawrie, who attended on Friday, and Stephen McAllister, who conducted a three-hour long clinic on Saturday.
The Edinburgh public had to chance to test their skills on two indoor simulators, one an examination of driving and the other for the short game. A number of putting challenges also entertained the crowds under the watchful eye of some of the professional team at Archerfield Links, host venue for both European Tour tournaments.
McAllister, who enjoyed his most successful year on the European Tour in 1990, winning both the Vinho Verde Atlantic Open and KLM Dutch Open en route to finishing in the top 20 of the Order of Merit, helped with coaching advice to a number of men, women and children.
Now a regular on the European Senior Tour, McAllister is looking forward to teeing up at Archerfield for the second successive year in the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open along with a host of top names including fellow Scot, Sam Torrance, and former Ryder Cup player, Paul Broadhurst, who defends his title.
McAllister said: “It’s been a really enjoyable experience coming to St Andrew Square to give golfers of all levels an idea of what a great game it is for everyone, young or old and whatever the level of ability.
“It’s important to keep people interested in the game, and also in tournament golf such as the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open, which not only has a top field but is for a very worthy cause.
“I would say to anyone in the area who might feel like they need a break from the Edinburgh Festival in August to get along to East Lothian and see the Senior players up close at Archerfield from August 19th to 21st.”
Jonathan Brown, Tourism Projects Officer – Golf & Events for East Lothian Council, added: “It’s been a pleasure to have Paul and Stephen involved during the four days in St Andrew Square, helping to promote two great professional tournaments in the area and at the same time helping to highlight the quality of Scotland’s Golf Coast.
“East Lothian is a tremendous golfing destination and an event like this in the centre of our capital city will help raise awareness of the courses and the high quality tournament golf being played there this summer.”
Ticket holders for the Paul Lawrie Match Play at Archerfield from August 4-7 will also be granted free entry to the Scottish Senior Open, held a fortnight later.
That will be the Senior Tour’s second stop on Scottish soil in 2016 as Carnoustie will host the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex in July for the first time since 2010, from July 21-24.
