Australian Terry Gale defends his Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open title this week buoyed by one victory already this season and still fresh with memories of last year’s triumph.
The Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open tees off from August 27-29 at The Roxburghe, which is where Gale triumphed by two shots last year over England’s Nick Job and Barry Vivian from New Zealand.
“It is always nice to go back to a tournament that you have won. I have some great memories. Obviously with the field that will be there I will have to play well to get in position again,” said Gale.
The Australian has been in good form this year winning the Bosch Italian Seniors Open before losing in a sudden-death play-off the following week in the Digicel Jamaica Classic, in association with Sony Ericsson, to Argentine Luis Carbonetti.
“This time last year I had a good run of tournaments and was hitting the ball quite well so if you keep knocking you never know. I will head to the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open with good thoughts,” added the man from Perth, who claimed three titles in 2003.
Defending a title brings with it added pressure but the Australian has a wealth of experience to handle the situation.
He said: “It is difficult to defend out here these days whether you are playing Seniors or the regular Tour, or the Challenge Tour. You need to have your game all in shape to do it. If it’s not all working then there is going to be someone whose is. I don’t think you can even think about defending. You have to treat it as just another tournament and the fact that you won it the year before does not really count.”
This will be the 12th edition of the Scottish Seniors Open, which began in 1993 at Royal Aberdeen, and past champions reads like a Who’s Who of seniors golf with Neil Coles, Antonio Garrido, Tommy Horton (twice), Brian Huggett, David Huish, John Morgan, Noel Ratcliffe, Denis Durnian and David Oakley all winning the title.
“It is our first visit of the season to Scotland and we thank Charles Church and the associate sponsors for making this possible through their continued support of this fine tournament. The Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open does so much to promote the borders of Scotland and its wealth of excellent golfing venues,” said Andy Stubbs, Managing Director, European Seniors Tour.
“We are indebted to His Grace, The Duke of Roxburghe for his support of the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open and we look forward to his fine hospitality once again,” added Stubbs.
The Roxburghe, the pride and joy of owner The Duke of Roxburghe, is set in 200 acres of spectacular countryside. Designed by Dave Thomas and opened in 1997, the course follows the natural contours and features of the local area.
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