Urquhart prepares for Aviemore

FORMER European Tour player Murray Urquhart, now Spey Valley director of golf, makes a rare competitive appearance today and tomorrow when he joins other North club professionals in the Optical Express Scottish PGA event over the acclaimed Dave Thomas-designed Aviemore course in the Tour’s second merit competition of the season.

Several other local club professionals are in the 80-plus field, pitting their skills against those who ply their trade as ful- time players such as last season’s Order of Merit winner Stephen Gray (Hayston) and Aberdeen duo Scott Henderson and Greig Hutcheon.

The local interest in the 36-hole event is provided by Malcolm Issacs (Nairn Dunbar), Boat of Garten’s Ross Harrower, Tain’s Stuart Morrison, Andrew Rollo (Moray) and ex-Royal Dornoch assistant Greig MacBain.

One-time Walker Cup player James Byrne (Banchory) and former Scottish amateur champion David Law (Hazelhead) make their first appearance as professionals in Scotland alongside the Tour’s first winner of the season last month at Dundonald Links, West Linton’s Gareth Wright.

Play got under way this morning at 8am. Spectators are welcome today and tomorrow and entry is free.

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