ALAN TEES OFF AT AVIEMORE

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has appointed Alan Tait as the new director of golf at the championship golf course, Spey Valley, at the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort.

Later this month, Alan will not only be tying up arrangements for the Northern Open, one of the most famous competitions in UK Golf, taking place from 13 - 16 May at Spey Valley, but he will be dusting off his competition irons to compete the full four rounds.

Alan commented: "As host professional at the Northern Open I'm looking forward to playing competitively for the first time in nearly 10 years and introducing friends such as Dean Robertson and Scott Henderson to the fantastic course."

Alan (39), originally from Ayrshire, was previously director of golf at The Carrick, Loch Lomond and is a fully qualified PGA Professional.

Following his graduation from the Texas Paris Junior College in 1989, Alan joined the Royal Troon Golf Club as a greenkeeper and has worked in Glasgow's Cawder and Clober golf clubs as well as the The Westerwood Hotel as the Director of Golf & Club Manager.

In 2005 Alan was awarded a 'Fellow of The PGA' for length of service and contribution to the PGA and was the 1994 Scottish PGA Under 25's Champion.

Alan said: "Spey Valley is deservedly gaining a strong reputation among amateur and more experienced golfers with praise from high profile champions such as Sandy Lyle describing the course a 'joy to play'. With the stunning backdrop of the Cairngorms mountains I couldn't imagine a more breathtaking setting for a championship golf course."