Golf – Cooper claims berth in Scottish Senior Open

Robert Cooper will tee off alongside Andrew Oldcorn at this year’s Scottish Senior Open after triumphing by one point in a qualifying event at The Renaissance Club.

Cooper, who plays at Pannel Golf Club in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, scored 33 Stableford points in testing conditions to secure his spot at this year’s championship.

The seven-handicapper will play against Scottish golfer Oldcorn, a three-time winner on the European Tour and two-time Senior Tour winner, during the first two rounds of the tournament, taking part in the Alliance competition against other amateurs.

Cooper said: “I saw the qualifier advertised on the Senior Tour website and decided to enter. I couldn’t play in the first event which took place a couple of weeks ago, so Russell at the club called me to say there was another event and that I should enter.

“I set off at quarter to nine in the morning and didn’t get home until just after midnight, but winning makes it worthwhile.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with Andrew. I’m sure I’ll be nervous on the first tee, but I’m really looking forward to it.

“It was very, very windy out there, and a lot of people struggled but we all had to play in the same conditions. I struggled as well but managed to get 33 points to qualify.”

Cooper will join fellow Yorkshire golfer Ben Crowther, from Dewsbury and District GC, who won the first qualifier earlier this month.

Oldcorn said: “These qualifiers have been a brilliant initiative for what I regard as one of our best tournaments. The golf course is a magnificent venue and I’m looking forward to teeing it up alongside Robert in August.

“The Alliance format is very popular with sponsors, amateurs and promoters, so it’ll be a great two days.”

A third qualifier will take place on July 6 presenting the opportunity for some of East Lothian’s most talented young golfers the opportunity to play in the Scottish Senior Open.

Three talented young golfers will each get the chance to take part in the Alliance Pro-Am, rewarding the hard work of East Lothian’s young golfers and encourage more young people to become involved in the sport.

The Scottish Senior Open returns to East Lothian at the Tom Doak-designed Renaissance Club from August 4-6.

Entrance to the only European Tour event in the Lothians region in 2017 will be free to everyone, with a nominal charge being made for car parking, situated just a short walk from the first tee and 18th at the internationally-acclaimed course.

Cars with solo occupancy will be charged £5 per day while vehicles with one or more passenger will pay £10.

All proceeds will be donated to the official event charity which will be determined at a later date.