The Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open tees off this Friday as the European Senior Tour continues its commitment to helping save lives.
For the second successive year, the charity will once again put its name to the high-profile event on the Senior Tour, with the primary aim to raise money and awareness amongst golfers at the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open, which takes place at Archerfield Links Golf Club from August 19-21.
This year’s tournament will again be played on the Fidra course, designed by Senior Tour member David ‘DJ’ Russell.
Men over the age of 50 are more at risk of developing prostate cancer - the same age that players become eligible to join the Senior Tour, making the association a natural one for both parties.
Over 24,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer in Scotland, while more than 40,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, making it the most common type of cancer among men.
Prostate Cancer UK’s Director of Research, Iain Frame said: “Golf is a great fit for Prostate Cancer UK and it’s great to once again be front and centre of this special event at a wonderful venue.
“One in eight men will be affected by prostate cancer in their lifetime in the UK, and one man dies every hour from this disease. Given the average length of a round of golf lasts around four hours, it’s staggering to think in that time four men will die. Ignoring prostate cancer will not beat it, and we want to raise awareness and fund ground-breaking research to help fight the disease. That will help us provide dedicated support and information to men and their loved ones.
“From holding a golf day, taking on our Chipping In Challenge or wearing our badge, any golfers who have joined the fight us are the perfect example of Men United, our team of people joining together to fight a common opponent – prostate cancer.”
David MacLaren, Head of the European Senior Tour, said: “Prostate Cancer will affect one in eight men in the UK during their lifetime, so clearly it is something that our membership and their friendship groups should be aware of.
“With Prostate Cancer UK having its name included in the title of the Scottish Senior Open, we hope we can help raise awareness to a key demographic and at the same time provide funds to support the charity’s good work. We have seen the magnificent achievements of the Men United campaign across football, rugby league and many other sports, and we hope this relationship will help golf play its part in making a difference in men’s health.
“The tournament will be a Pro-Am format, similar to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the European Tour, and we hope this unique set-up will allow individuals and sponsors the opportunity to participate in the tournament to help deliver this important message to a wide audience. With the quality facilities provided to us at Archerfield Links and a great field of our leading players, including Senior Open Champion Paul Broadhurst, it promises to be a great event all in aid of a good cause.”
With a prize fund of £250,000 the tournament will have a field of 54 European Senior Tour professionals, who will play alongside an amateur partner for the first two rounds before the professionals contest the final round on Sunday, August 21.
Archerfield Links has hosted the Ladies Scottish Open since 2010 while it also hosts an annual charity Pro-Am event each June in conjunction with Senior Tour player Ian Woosnam OBE.
The Welshman, fresh from a strong performance at the US Senior Open was among a stellar field together with defending champion – and recently crowned Senior Open champion Paul Broadhurst.
Broadhurst, who triumphed on the Fidra course last year, added: “I’m at that age now where prostate cancer could affect me, and this disease is something I’m very much aware of. The branding last year around the course was second to none, and the more people that are made aware of this disease the better.”
Ticket information for the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open is availablehere, and to find out more about Prostate Cancer UK’s continued work in golf from hosting a golf day, to making mistakes matter by ‘Chipping In’ clickhere.
People are unaware that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It’s a huge issue that cannot be ignored. In 2016 one man an hour will die from prostate cancer in the UK. That’s 10,900 men this year. Based on current trends, if we ignore prostate cancer and do nothing, this number will rise to over 14,500 men a year by 2026. People are urged to search Men United and join the fight.
