Loretto Golf Academy’s Dire
ctor, Rick Valentine, lifted the World Hickory Open Championship trophy at Carnoustie this week. Loretto also claimed the Team Event by securing top spot when Rick Valentine was joined by Loretto Golf Academy youngsters, George Sutherland (15 from South Queensferry) and John Dunn-Butler (15 from Liberton, Edinburgh).
The competition is played with traditional hickory-shafted golf clubs. This year's event attracted about 100 players from more than 30 countries.
Competitors are limited to clubs made before, or made to replicate those manufactured before, 1935.
The World Hickory Open Championship was first held in 2005 and has become popular across Europe and the United States.
This year the World Hickory Open moved from its early habitat of East Lothian – Musselburgh, Craigielaw and Gullane – to the shores of Angus, "The Cradle of Golf," where the competition was hosted by Carnoustie Burnside and Monifieth courses.
Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto School commented, “This is a tremendous achievement by Rick, George and David. We do congratulate them and reflects the depth of golfing talent at Loretto.”