Fine reward for a hole-in-one

A £25,000 prize will be on offer for a hole-in-one at Murcar Links' fifth hole during the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Ladies Tartan Tour event on May 8 and 9.

The R&A changed the Rules of Amateur Status a year or two ago to permit amateurs to accept "special" hole in one awards with a value far in excess of the normal maximum of £500.

The Paul Lawrie Ladies Tartan Tour is open to any female professional and amateurs with single-figure handicaps.

Some north-east of Scotland amateur girl golfers may feel that they are unlikely to finish in front of their professional opposition at the end of 36 holes.

But a hole-in-one is a different proposition entirely. Anyone can have a stroke of luck and why not at Murcar Links fifth hole on either of the two days.

Earlier this week there were two holes in one during the qualifying round of the Renfrewshire women's county championship at Cochrane Castle Golf Club.

The £25,000 prize, sponsored by the Atholl Hotel, Aberdeen, will go to the first player to achieve an ace at the Murcar Links' fifth hole.

Should no-one hit the jackpot, the player whose tee shot finishes nearest the pin will earn a £100 consolation award from the sponsors.

Tournament director Nicola Melville says that there are spaces left in the field because Trish Johnson, winner of the opening event this week at Fairmont St Andrews, and others, such as Sally Watson and Heather MacRae, from that field will be playing in an LET event that week.

In addition to the £2,500 first prize at Murcar Links, the winner will also receive a three-night weekend self-catering break at Gleneagles Village, Perthshire, courtesy of Melville Properties (to be taken subject to availability).

Entries for the PLGC Ladies Tartan Tour two-rounder close on April 29. Non-PGA members must enter by phoning the PGA in Scotland Office on 01786 661840

Full event details can be found here.