Inverness Four Day Open swings into action as first round begins
One of the top amateur events in Highland golf has swung into action.
The Inverness Golf Club Four Day Open teed off on Monday.
Tournament Chairman Barry Gunn got play underway, hitting the first tee shot at 7am.
Last year’s winner Kieran Mackay will be looking to win his third title and become the first player to successfully defend the championship since current PGA Tour player Russell Knox won 3 in a row from 2004.
Having won the club championship last week, a win would also see Mackay become the first player to win both championships in the same season since Billy Maclennan in 1994.
Inverness based Orion Group are headline sponsors and a top class field has once again assembled including current North District and North of Scotland Amateur champion Jordan Shaw (Boat of Garten), 2023 runner up Lewis Reid (Fortrose & Rosemarkie) and previous winners John Forbes, David Joel and Paul Savage.
Aiming to win the Rosswood Trophy for the first time will be current Brora Club Champion Ross Naismith along with Inverness members Bruce Thomson, Ruairidh Greenwood, Jamie Whittet and Connor Hall.
Several prizewinners from 2023 return including James Greenwood, Michael Martin and Graham Nicolson.
One of the pre-tournament favourites has had to withdraw due to his continued success elsewhere. Jonathan Keith followed up a leading amateur finish at the Northern Open by winning the first stage of Open Championship Qualifying at Kilmarnock Barassie.
He will now tee it up at Dundonald Links this week for a chance to play in the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon.
This year sees the introduction of a new hole in one prize of £5000 at the 9th hole in round one along with additional £750 prizes for an ace at the 2nd, 7th and 13th.
