SCOTLAND AND WALKER ON TOUR
England Elite Squad members Zane Scotland and Richard Walker
have been invited to play in next week’s Algarve Open
de Portugal on the PGA European Tour.
The pair, who have their eyes on Walker Cup selection this
year, have been rewarded by the Portuguese Golf Federation
following their successes in the Portuguese Open Amateur Championship
over the past two years.
Scotland won the title last year at Marvao, while Walker
succeeded him as champion when he emerged victorious last
month in Estela.
Commenting on the invitation Richard Walker said, “I
am looking forward to competing with the best players on the
European Tour, it will be great fun and good experience for
the future”.
As the 2002 Portuguese Open Amateur champion, Scotland played
in last year’s Algarve Open de Portugal at Vale do Lobo
and made the halfway cut before high winds and heavy rain
forced the tournament to be abandoned after 36 holes. He will
hope for better conditions this time at Vale do Lobo.
Both Scotland and Walker have accepted invitations to European
Tour events at Slaley Hall in Northumberland in recent years.
Scotland was in action in the Compaq European Grand Prix in
2000, and Walker in the 2001 Great North Open, while Scotland
played in last year’s Great North Open.
Commenting on the invitation EGU Performance Director Nigel
Furniss said “We are delighted that Richard and Zane
have been granted this opportunity to compete on the PGA European
Tour. This is part of the EGU’s commitment through the
World Class Performance Programme to present leading amateurs
with experience at an early stage in the pursuit of developing
World Class golfers”
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