The Scottish Mixed Foursomes Golf Week, which was first held in 2004, is played over five of Carnoustie Country’s finest inland courses - Alyth, Blairgowrie, Glenisla, Kirriemuir and Strathmore.

Renowned for its combination of first class Carnoustie Country golf courses, top rate entertainment and all-encompassing friendliness was celebrated by over 130 couples from across the UK and beyond last week when they competed in the Scottish Mixed Foursomes Golf Week 2014.

The Scottish Mixed Foursomes Golf Week, which was first held in 2004, is played over five of Carnoustie Country’s finest inland courses - Alyth, Blairgowrie, Glenisla, Kirriemuir and Strathmore.

“This tournament is for all abilities of golfer, with couples playing against different couples and on different courses each day,” explained David Norman of Strathmore Golf Centre, who is one of the tournament organisers. “There’s also a packed entertainment programme, which this year featured a curry night, quiz night, party night, casino evening and a ceilidh.

“Over the last ten years, this tournament has built up a loyal following, with many couples returning year after year – and bringing their friends with them.”

Amongst this year’s competitors were ten golfers from Northampton Golf Club. “This is the second year our group has competed in this tournament and we’ll definitely be back next year,” said Peter McKenzie, Captain of Northampton Golf Club. “This is such a relaxed and enjoyable week of golf in a beautiful area of Scotland.”

The majority of competitors were from the UK but there were also several Dutch, Irish and American couples, including first time competitors Jaap and Bea de Ruiter from Holland. “We’ll be here next year,” said Jaap. “It’s very difficult to choose a favourite course as they’re all wonderful but we played best at Alyth.”

After their week of golf, the competitors gathered in Blairgowrie Golf Club for the prize-giving ceremony, which coincided with the arrival of the Queen’s Commonwealth Baton. Very appropriately, the Queen’s Baton was carried along this stretch by Stuart Wilson, European Team Captain of the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup, which is being played at Blairgowrie in September. As Stuart gave the competitors a chance to study the Queen’s Baton, he was joined by top amateur golfer and Blairgowrie Golf Club junior member Bradley Neil, who brought along the British Amateur Championship Trophy which he won last month.

Once the Queen’s Baton was safely on its way, attention turned to the Scottish Mixed Foursomes’ trophies, with Ian and Sandra Parr from Liverpool’s Childwall Golf Club being named the overall winners of this year’s tournament. “This is our fifth year at the Scottish Mixed Foursomes and, although it’s fabulous to win, it’s not about the prizes,” said Ian. “We stay in a lovely hotel, the courses are excellent and everyone is so friendly.”

Michael and Carol Arden of Bradley Hall Golf Club in Halifax won the Senior title. “We’re slowly emerging from a very bad spell of golf so we’re delighted to be winners,” laughed Michael, while Carol dedicated their win to their good friends Susan and Mike.

“I can’t thank Susan and Mike enough for introducing us to this fabulous tournament last year when they asked us to join them,” said Carol. “Sadly, they’re not able to be with us this year as Susan’s poorly but they’ll be delighted to hear of our success.”

For more information visit www.scottish-mixed-foursomes-golf.co.uk
Or www.carnoustiecountry.com

Photograph: Michael and Carol Arden, Senior winners of the Scottish Mixed Foursomes Golf Week, with overall winners Ian and Sandra Parr.