Colin Montgomerie guests at opening ceremony of course he designed

Jul 16 2010 by Alan Woodison, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

MONTY will open the new championship golf course at Rowallan next month.

Colin Montgomerie, eight times European Order of Merit winner, will be the guest of honour at the event on Thursday, August 19.

The gala occasion is neatly sandwiched between the two big golf classics – the Open at St Andrews this week and the Ryder Cup at Newport in September.

Golfers from around the country will join the 2010 European Ryder Cup captain to mark the gala opening of his first Scottish golf course design.

Nineteen teams will battle it out over the 7ooo yard championship course near Kilmaurs and experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play Rowallan’s unique 19th hole with Montgomerie himself.

All profits from the fundraising day will go to the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, a charity established by Monty in memory of his mother who died of cancer. The aim of the foundation is to raise funds to provide practical and emotional support for people affected by cancer.

Working together with the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, the Foundation is now funding its first major project in Lanarkshire, the Elizabeth Montgomerie Building, a sanctuary for patients and families who are affected by cancer. In May it was announced that the second Elizabeth Montgomerie Building would be built at the Foreseterhill Hospital in Aberdeen

Colin said: “Rowallan Castle is a fantastic addition to the spectacular old links courses we are so lucky to have in Ayrshire.

“I’m proud to have designed a course so close to my home town of Troon and delighted to be raising funds for the Eizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, a charity very close to my heart”.

Set in the 600-acre grounds of the glorious Rowallan Castle, the championship course is of world-class design and is set to attract golfers from around the globe.

Players at the opening will be treated to brunch in the exclusive Glasshouse restaurant of the luxurious Rowallan Castle clubhouse, and a sumptuous three course dinner in Rowallan New Castle after their round.

Rowallan Castle owner, Niall Campbell said: “We are really proud to have Colin Montgomerie as our course designer, especially in his year as Ryder Cup Captain. It’s befitting that we mark our official opening by raising funds for Colin’s charity. Rowallan is a superb course and this opening event is a unique opportunity to play with the great man himself.”

Rowallan Castle is a private members golf club, however a limited number of visitor times are available.

Details on www.rowallancastle.com