Scottish Golf adds G4D event to national schedule

It's no secret that the world of golf has changed over the past few years, and the opportunities available to players are greater than ever. Travel is more accessible, and the chance to play internationally is more commonplace, for adults and juniors alike. Longer format competitions are being replaced by shorter versions, for reasons of time and cost. And even on the professional tours, there are limited match play events outside the Ryder and Solheim Cups.

With that in mind, Scottish Golf has developed a diverse schedule of events this year, aimed at reaching a broader audience and demonstrating that golf is Scotland’s game for everyone.

G4D event

One of the most innovative changes to the 2024 schedule is introducing the first G4D event. In partnership with EDGA, the event will be hosted by Cardrona Golf Club and will be a 36-hole stroke play event with separate categories for scratch, net and Stableford.

Providing competitive opportunities for golfers with a disability is an integral part of Scottish Golf’s drive for greater inclusion within the sport, showcasing golf as a welcoming, accessible sport, available to all.

Scottish Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championships

One of the most important changes coming in 2024 will be a new Scottish Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championship, where a combined field of 156 will play a 54-hole stroke play event over the same course, for individual titles. With no cut, the field will split into 112 boys and 44 girls.

Scottish Golf recognises that more flexibility within the scheduling for this event is needed, as the current clash with The Open Championship provides the governing body and players with challenges, primarily as it is frequently hosted in Scotland. The shorter format is intended to make the event more appealing and accessible for all players (and their parents), reducing accommodation costs and guaranteeing three rounds of golf for all competitors.

Scottish Boys’ U14s and Scottish Girls’ U14s Championship

The year 2024 will see the Boys’ U14’s and Girls’ U14’s combined to create the Scottish Golf Under 14 Open Championship – one event, played over one course, for one trophy.

Scottish Golf sees this as a valuable opportunity to create a mixed-gender event producing a single champion.

As a result of the change to the U14s, Scottish Golf has created a new Scottish Girls’ U16 Open to be played at the same time as the Boys’ U16 Open Championship on a separate course. This will allow the Girls’ U16 to become a WAGR-ranked, 54-hole stroke play event.

Senior Women’s Open Championship

Bringing the Senior Women’s into line with other open events, this will become a purely stroke play event, 54 holes with no cut. It is hoped this will increase the contingent competing from outside of Scotland, to improve the level of competition for Scotland’s senior women.

The change to the 2024 schedule demonstrates how Scottish Golf is committed to providing better opportunities for players and making national events more accessible without compromising the quality of the competition.