Fog delays Aussie assault in Scotland
BY Anthony Powter | World Amateur Mens Tour | 2008 Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play | Round One | 30 May 2008
The opening round of the Bidwells Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Tournament officials reluctantly made the call mid-morning Friday time in Scotland, after it became evident the heavy fog surrounding the Duke’s in St Andrews wasn’t going to abate.
Seven Australians are set to contest the Bidwells Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, including some of Australia’s most promising talents in Tim Stewart, Rohan Blizard, Scott Arnold, Tom Prowse and Leighton Lyle, to name a few.
The revised format will see only one qualifying round contested, before the 144 field is cut to the top 40 and ties for the final 36 hole Sunday round.
“It’s only 10 degrees at the moment and you cannot see 40 metres in front of you,” remarked Tim Stewart from St Andrews.
“There’s no way you can play out there,” said Scott Arnold. “This goes with the territory and you just have to remain patient and sit it out.”
Both Stewart and Arnold are eager to make their respective marks in the UK this tour, following excellent results from the pair last season. Stewart finished runner-up to Drew Weaver in the British Amateur at Royal Lytham & St Annes, whilst Arnold was runner-up at the prized St Andrews Links Trophy.
Both Stewart and Arnold are chasing their first major title on UK soil, to add to their impressive list of titles, they’ve already achieved back home. Their preparation, meticulous this tour, with training camps in Spain and the UK, in an attempt to be fully prepared for the UK season.
The fact is no amount of preparation can ready a player for the fickle Scottish weather. Patience becomes a virtue, as the weather can, and usually does, reek havoc on any tournament.
Despite the terrible conditions, Stewart is aware that it’s part and parcel of the local environment. Stewart’s objective like the other Australians in Scotland is simple; to prepare for the British Amateur Championship, starting June 16 at the Ailsa Championship Course, Turnberry.
“We’ve arrived here this year kind of knowing what to expect, with delays and adverse conditions,” said Stewart.
“That’s the challenge of playing links golf and this year it’s all about preparing for the [British] Amateur. I want to get my game going and go one better this year at Turnberry.”
With the revised 18-hole qualifying format, all players will have to get their game going, as the Scottish Amateur falls victim to the elements.
