Nelson faces stern test to retain Four Day Open title
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CAMERON Nelson is expecting a real fight to hold on to his crown as scratch champion when this year’s Four Day Open begins at Inverness Golf Club next week.
A high quality field that includes six former winners will begin their quest for glory with the opening round on Monday.
A second round will take place on Tuesday to decide the qualifiers for the match play stages, which finish with the semi-finals and finals on Thursday.
Amongst those joining reigning champion Nairn Golf Club member Nelson at the Culcabock course this year are former scratch winners Alan Cameron, Bryan Fotheringham, Kyle Godsman, Laurie Chancellor, Norman MacWilliam and Billy Maclennan.
Nelson acknowledges that it is a strong field he will be coming up against, but the plus-one handicapper remains hopeful of retaining the prestigious prize.
"I’ve not had a chance to look through the draw yet, but the Four Day competition always attracts a lot of good players both from the local area and further afield, so I know how difficult it’s going to be," said the 21-year-old.
"Hopefully, however, I can win it again — that’s the goal anyway — so I’ll just it my best and see what happens after that."
Nelson goes into the Four Day Open, which is sponsored by The Inverness Courier and Ness Motors, in fine form having landed the club championship at Royal Dornoch, where he is also a member, earlier this month.
"It seems to be coming together for me just now," said Nelson, a third year student at Oakland University, Michigan, where he is on a scholarship.
"I played 10 holes at Inverness on Tuesday night and the course is fine, the greens in particular, so it should be just as good, if not better, for next week."
Gordon Scott, secretary of the Four Day Open, concurs fully with Nelson’s view of the course as he anticipates one of the most closely contested tournaments in years.
"I think the course is in the best shape it’s been in for quite some time," he said. "The players will enjoy it.
"However, it will be a tough test as well. The rough is fairly lush, but overall the course is in beautiful condition.
"In my time as secretary of the Four Day Open, this is the highest quality field in terms of low handicap players.
"There are quite a few plus handicap players, so that’s very pleasing as it shows just how highly the Four Day Open is regarded on the local golfing calendar."
The final touches are being made before the start of the Four Day Open, but one factor that cannot be controlled is the weather with Scott hoping that rain forecast for Tuesday is not going to cause major problems with the scheduling.
"I have been looking at the long range weather forecast," he said. "Monday is good, but it’s supposed to be heavy rain on Tuesday.
"That’s the last thing we want because the two qualifying rounds have to be played, so we can’t afford for the course to start flooding."
See Tuesday’s Courier for a report and pictures from the opening day of the Inverness Four Day Open.
