PGA Professional Michael McAllan is urging golfers to enter the inaugural Covesea Links Scratch Open and showcase one of Scotland’s beautiful hidden gems.
Nestling on the Moray coast between Lossiemouth and Hopeman, Covesea Links is a delightful nine-hole layout which McAllan insists is “2000 yards of the most fun you’ll have in your golfing life.”
It was love at first sight when McAllan initially played it – he subsequently posted the course record of 30 – and plans to stage an Open event there swiftly grew arms and legs.
“After I had played it, I thought to myself, ‘this place should host an event,” said McAllan, who is working in tandem with Covesea owners Andy and Angela Burnett on the nine-hole Open.
“I messaged the owners out of the blue and asked them if they’d thought about doing something like that. Somewhat strangely, Angela came back and said, ‘we’ve been in discussions with golf people in the area and we were actually going to ask you to help with it’. It was a bit weird but I was delighted to get involved and it’s grown and grown.”
With an entry fee of £25, as well as on-site family friendly entertainment including bars, food stalls, local bands and even a bouncy castle, McAllan is confident the event, which takes place on Sunday September 24, will go down a treat.
On a personal level, meanwhile, the Covesea Links Open will help to raise funds for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), a charitable organisation which is very close to McAllan’s heart.
“Anything that supports mental health is something I’d always be keen to get involved with,” added the Nairn PGA professional, who has had his own battles with mental health issues in recent years.
“We had a shared desire with the charity. Yes, the event is about highlighting the profile of the Covesea Links but it’s also about giving back. Nobody is unaffected by mental health.
“I’d tried to run a charity event myself when I was at Elgin but my own ill health got in the way of that. I always felt sad about that. Now I can do it and I’m delighted to be part of it.”
As well as promoting the club and raising funds for charity, McAllan, and the Covesea owners, want the game of golf as a whole to prosper.
“Covesea is about getting people into the game,” he said. “It’s a place for people of any ability. There are no restrictions. It’s open to anyone and you just turn up, pay your money and play. It’s impossible not to enjoy it. I love the place.”
CLICK HERE to find out more about the Covesea Links Open.
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