Record numbers set to tee up on Scottish Women's Amateur Tour
Grass-roots Scottish golf round up includes big season ahead for Alan Tait’s tour plus PGA in Scotland latest and team events held by Stephen Gallacher Foundation and Junior Tour Scotland
A record number of players have joined this year’s Golfbreaks Scottish Women’s Amateur Tour, with founder Alan Tait admitting he’s been “blown away with the interest” as the circuit prepares to swing into action for the new season.
Over 150 women and girls from all over the country have signed up for the 2026 campaign, leading Tait to close the membership ahead of a season-opener at Strathmore in Perthshire this weekend.
“After a fairly slow start with joiners in 2024, I saw the momentum pick up last year and I’ve been blown away with the interest in the women wanting to join this year”, said Tait, a terrific supporter of grass-roots golf in Scotland.
“I put this down to the support of clubs and sponsorship partners who really see the benefit of supporting the women’s game in Scotland. When I looked into it three years ago, I was really quite dismayed at the lack of playing opportunities there were in Scotland for our female players. We are the home of golf, after all, and there should be ample opportunity for everyone.”
This season’s circuit comprises 19 events, which are a mix of 18-hole and 36-holers. It starts with a “fun” member/guest competition at Strathmore on Sunday, when 41 pairs are taking part.
The tour then tees off officially at Crail’s Craighead Links on 1 April before running all the way through until early October, when Dumbarnie Links stages the Golf Finance Ltd Tour Championship Final.
As well as Golfbreaks as headline sponsors and Golf Finance Ltd supporting the season finale, Tait has also managed to get Tomatin Distillery and Glenmuir on board as partners.
“The thing that pleases me the most is how much it’s become a real community with lots of friendships made,” said the man who runs the show.
Stuart Easton fast out blocks in PGA Scotland Sprint Series
Irvine’s Stuart Easton won a hotly-contested PGA Scotland Sprint Series opener at Western Gailes.
The former Scotland international amassed 39 points in a testing wind to pip Conor O’Neil (Mearns Castle Golf Academy) by a point.
Easton’s round was illuminated by an eagle-2 at the third while he also picked up three birdies in the last five holes.
Jack McDonald (Whitecraigs), John Henry (Wilson Golf), Gavin Hay (East Renfrewshire), Chris Maclean (Hayston) and Dominic Bradburn (Panmure) all finished with 37 points.
The next Sprint Series event is at Fairmont St Andrews, with others after that at Arbroath and Dundonald Links.
A Winter Fourball event at Troon Portland ended in a tie as a seven-under 64 from Turnhouse duo Bradley Neil and Chris Woodhouse was matched by Ian Redford (Gailes Golf & Leisure) and James Caldwell (Kilmarnock (Barassie)).
A similar event at Gullane, meanwhile, produced a victory for St Andrews Links Academy pair Clarke Lutton and Andrew Cheese with a nine-under 62 on No 2.
‘Marvellous honour’ for Royal Dornoch’s Ally McNaughton
Royal Dornoch teaching professional Ally McNaughton has been recognised for his sterling work with the club’s thriving junior section.
In what is a feather in his cap, McNaughton received a commemorative plaque from The US Kids Golf Coaches Institute following their awards dinner in Florida.
“It’s a marvellous honour for Ally to be recognised by such an august body in golf,” said Royal Dornoch’s general manager Neil Hampton. “It underlines that word has been spreading just how successful our coaching and junior development programme is proving.
“We now have more than 150 local youngsters participating, and credit is due to Ally, with valuable support from Erin Herd and our head PGA coaching professional, Gary Dingwall.”
Bryan Shields Trophy proves big success
The Renaissance Club staged an event run by the Stephen Gallacher Foundation in honour of Bryan Shields, a well-known Lothians golfer who passed away just under six years ago after a battle with cancer.
The Bryan Shields Trophy was contested over three days at the home of the Genesis Scottish Open in a Ryder Cup-style format involving eight girls and eight boys.
“This event is not just about competition but about celebrating legacy, friendship, and the enduring impact one individual can have on the game and the people within it,” said Scott Knowles, manager of the Stephen Gallacher Foundation.
Shields played his golf at Bathgate and was a close friend of four-time DP World Tour winner Gallacher, as well as former Scottish Golfer of the Year Knowles and Stuart Johnston, too.
“A massive thanks to The Renaissance Club, their members and all their wonderful staff for hosting the event and allowing our juniors to compete on one of Scotland’s finest courses,” added Knowles. “They truly are a great supporter of junior golf.”
The event was won 9.5-6-5 by the White team over the Blue team.
‘Hard work’ at Schloss Roxburghe paying off
As it gears up to host the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge hosted by The R&A for the second year in a row, SCHLOSS Roxburghe in the Borders is earning lots of recognition.
The Kelso venue has been nominated in two categories - Scotland’s Best Golf Course and Scotland’s Best Golf Hotel - in the 13th annual World Golf Awards.
It has also just picked up the Best Course Under £100 at the 2026 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards in Edinburgh.
“We were nominated in this category last year but didn’t quite get over the line, so it’s particularly satisfying to go that one step further this time,” said head of golf Ross Ovens.
“It’s a great reflection of the continued progress we’re making and the hard work that goes into presenting the course day in, day out.”
Voting in the World Golf Awards runs until 1 October.
Joy for juniors in West Kilbride clash
Youth came out on top over experience as a Junior Tour Scotland team beat a Scottish Seniors’ side in a match at West Kilbride.
The contest, which was for the JKH Howie Generations Cup in memory of Keith Howie, ended 3.5-1.5 in favour of the youngsters.
Representing the Junior Tour were brother and sister Carly/Jamie McDonald, Jayla Kepler/Erin MacAlpine, Tyler Gordon/Corey Hagan, Zoe Davidson/ Carla Morris and Leo McCallion/Finlay Watt.
On duty for Scottish Seniors, meanwhile, were Kenny Gallacher/Calum McPherson, George Robertson/John Rushbury, Gordon Spy/Andy Farmer, Stuart Miller/Alan Kelly and Willie McMillan/Paul Moultrie.
“On a superb day weather wise, albeit a tad chilly, West Kilbride Golf Club were the perfect hosts,” said Junior Tour supremo Paul Gibson. “The golf course was in excellent condition. The match pitted two very strong teams against each other, and the golf on display was very good.”
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