YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE HEAD TO AUSTRALIA - 17th Jan 2005

A mixture of youth and experience will head 'down under' later this month in preparation for the hectic season of domestic and international competition ahead.

Rising star Paul O'Hara and Scottish amateur stalwart Craig Watson will fly to Sydney later this week (Wednesday 19 January) to embark on a month long training trip to Australia.

Eighteen year old O'Hara narrowly missed out on the Scottish Amateur crown last year, losing to George Murray by 1 hole at Gullane. The Colville Park ace then reached the last 4 of The Boys Amateur Championship, and was beaten by eventual winner Jordan Findlay.

He will be looking to break into the men's international team this year, having tasted success at the highest level last season when he represented the SGU Amateur team in the inaugural Bunkered Match Play Challenge against the SPGA side.

Former Men's Team Captain and Amateur Champion Watson will join O'Hara in Australia. The 38 year old from East Renfrewshire had top five finishes in the East of Scotland Open, Sutherland Chalice and South East District Open in 2004.

The pair will play in the 72 hole Lake Macquarie International Championship at Belmont Golf Club, near Sydney (27 - 30 January). They will then compete in the New South Wales Medal and Amateur Championship (5 - 13 February), also a 72 hole stroke play event, with the leading 32 players advancing to the match play stage.

Along with top Australian amateurs, leading golf nations from around the world send players to both tournaments, providing the Scottish duo with a stern early test.

Previous winners of the Lake Macquarie Championship include Nick Dougherty (2001) and Bruce Devlin (1958). Scotland's best performance in the event came in 1983, with Colin Dalgleish taking the title.

Related Links

• http://www.scottishgolfunion.org

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