Northern Open

The Northern Open is a golf tournament played annually in Scotland since 1931. It was one of only two 72-hole tournaments on the "Tartan Tour", the PGA Tour in Scotland's schedule, the other being the Scottish PGA Championship. The 2019 event was played over 36 holes.

Northern Open
Tournament information
LocationScotland
Established1931
FormatStroke play
Current champion
Alastair Forsyth (2019)

The Scottish PGA Championship was originally called the Scottish Professional Championship and was only open to professionals while the Northern Open was also opened to amateurs.

History

The tournaments were originally played over 2 days with 2 rounds played each day. In 1947 the event was extended to a third day with one round played on the first two days. The leading 50 players and those tied for 50th place played two rounds on the third day. Originally called the "Northern Open Amateur and Professional Golf Tournament", the name was changed "Northern Open Championship" for 1948. The 1948 event was reduced to two days again with play in groups of three on the first day and a cut reducing the field to 80 for the final day. With a large number of entries the 1949 event was again played over three days. The playoff between Ballingall and Thomson was played at Murcar, the day after the Championship finished. The day had been allocated for Scottish qualifying for the Daily Mail Tournament. Thomson practised in the morning while Ballingall played a competitive round. The two played together in the afternoon, Ballingale scoring 72 to Thomson's 74.

Winners

[1]

YearWinnerCountryVenueScoreMargin
of victory		Runner(s)-upWinner's
share (£)		Ref
2019Alastair Forsyth (2) ScotlandNewmachar1333 strokes Graham Fox1,000
2018Gareth Wright WalesNairn Dunbar2761 stroke Gavin Hay1,100
2017Paul O'Hara ScotlandMoray2777 strokes Gavin Hay
Greg McBain
Paul McKechnie		1,400
2016Greig Hutcheon (2) ScotlandRoyal Dornoch2676 strokes Chris Kelly3,900
2015Chris Kelly ScotlandCruden Bay2675 strokes Gareth Wright4,250
2014David Law (2) ScotlandMurcar Links207 +3 strokes Greig Hutcheon6,000
2013James Byrne (2) ScotlandMeldrum House2611 stroke David Law4,000
2012James Byrne ScotlandMeldrum House2685 strokes David Law
David Orr		4,000
2011David Law (a) ScotlandMeldrum House2662 strokes Stephen Gray(4,000)
2010Greig Hutcheon ScotlandMeldrum House132 ++1 stroke Scott Larkin (a)3,800
2009Craig Lee ScotlandSpey Valley2815 strokes Martyn Hamer2,500
2008Chris Doak ScotlandSpey Valley2743 strokes Lee Harper8,000
2007Murray Urquhart ScotlandSkibo Castle2821 stroke David Patrick
2006Jason McCreadie (2) ScotlandSkibo Castle276Playoff Chris Doak8,000
2005Chris Doak Scotland
2004Jason McCreadie Scotland
2003Gordon Law Scotland
2002Fraser Mann Scotland
2001Graham Rankin Scotland
2000Jim Payne EnglandForres2661 stroke Ralf Geilenberg3,600[2]
1999Alastair Forsyth Scotland
1998Lee James England
1997David Thomson Scotland
1996Scott Henderson Scotland
1995Joe Higgins Scotland
1994Kevin Stables (2) Scotland
1993Kevin Stables Scotland
1992Peter Smith Scotland
1991Craig Cassells England
1990Colin Brooks (2) Scotland
1989Colin Brooks ScotlandCruden Bay2742 strokes Ian Spencer3,300[3]
1988David Huish (4) ScotlandMoray2811 stroke Mike Miller3,300[4]
1987Adam Hunter ScotlandRoyal Aberdeen287Playoff Kevin Stables
Donald Stirling		3,300[5]
1986Russell Weir ScotlandNairn2831 stroke Ross Drummond3,300[6]
1985Brian Barnes (2) ScotlandElgin2741 stroke Ewen Murray2,500[7]
1984David Huish (3) ScotlandMurcar Links2812 strokes Brian Barnes2,500[8]
1983Derrick Cooper EnglandRoyal Dornoch2873 strokes Garry Harvey
Russell Weir		1,750[9]
1982Tony Minshall EnglandCruden Bay2881 stroke Bill Lockie1,750[10]
1981Alistair Thomson ScotlandMoray2852 strokes Jim Farmer
Tony Minshall		1,400[11]
1980David Huish (2) ScotlandRoyal Aberdeen2931 stroke Jim Farmer1,400[12]
1979Jim Farmer ScotlandNairn2855 strokes Ross Drummond
Willie Milne		1,400[13]
1978Brian Barnes ScotlandElgin2822 strokes Bob Jamieson[14]
1977Ewen Murray ScotlandRoyal Dornoch2925 strokes David Huish
Bill Lockie
Hugh Stuart (a)		1,000[15]
1976David Chillas ScotlandRoyal Aberdeen2894 strokes David Ingram1,000[16]
1975Willie Milne (2) ScotlandNairn2895 strokes David Webster1,000[17]
1974Willie Milne ScotlandMurcar Links2776 strokes Harry Bannerman1,000[18]
1973David Huish ScotlandRoyal Dornoch2893 strokes Bernard Gallacher
John Garner		500[19]
1972Harry Bannerman (3) ScotlandRoyal Aberdeen2862 strokes Brian Barnes400[20]
1971Frank Rennie ScotlandNairn2816 strokes Derek Small
1970Sandy Pirie (a) ScotlandCruden Bay215 +1 stroke Harry Bannerman(300)[21]
1969Harry Bannerman (2) ScotlandMoray2952 strokes John Panton300[22]
1968David Webster ScotlandMurcar Links2787 strokes Harry Bannerman
Lionel Platts		300[23]
1967Harry Bannerman ScotlandRoyal Dornoch2856 strokes Iain Clark300[24]
1966Robin Liddle ScotlandElgin2942 strokes Marshall Douglas300[25]
1965Jock Brown ScotlandRoyal Aberdeen139 ++1 stroke Stuart Murray
John Panton		[26]
1964Lew Taylor ScotlandNairn285Playoff George Will[27]
1963George Will (2) ScotlandCruden Bay287Playoff Lew Taylor[28]
1962John Panton (7) ScotlandMoray3001 stroke Bob Tuohy[29]
1961Harry Weetman EnglandMurcar Links2822 strokes Harold Henning[30]
1960John Panton (6) ScotlandRoyal Dornoch3012 strokes Eric Brown125[31]
1959John Panton (5) ScotlandPeterhead2842 strokes Ian Smith[32]
1958George Will ScotlandCruden Bay291Playoff Willie Macdonald
Harry Weetman		[33][34]
1957Eric Brown (5) ScotlandNairn2906 strokes John Panton[35]
1956John Panton (4) ScotlandMoray290Playoff Eric Brown[36][37]
1955Eric Brown (4) ScotlandMurcar Links283Playoff John Panton[38][39]
1954Eric Brown (3) ScotlandRoyal Dornoch3072 strokes Gregor McIntosh[40]
1953Eric Brown (2) ScotlandCruden Bay2811 stroke John Panton[41]
1952John Panton (3) ScotlandRoyal Aberdeen2895 strokes John Campbell90
1951John Panton (2) ScotlandNairn2855 strokes Hector Thomson[42]
1950Eric Brown ScotlandMoray2941 stroke John Panton[43]
1949Hamish Ballingall (2) ScotlandRoyal Aberdeen
(and Murcar Links)		296Playoff Hector Thomson[44][45]
1948John Panton ScotlandInverness2883 strokes Hamish Ballingall
Sandy Sinclair (a)		65[46]
1947Hamish Ballingall ScotlandPeterhead3006 strokes Hugh Watt60[47]
1946Willie Forrester ScotlandMurcar Links3052 strokes Ian Macpherson35[48]
1940–45: No tournament due to World War II
1939Jack McLean (3) ScotlandNairn285Playoff Hector Thomson (a)30[49][50]
1938Tom Haliburton ScotlandPeterhead2941 stroke Wilie Don28[51]
1937Jack McLean (2) ScotlandMoray294Playoff Gordon Durward25[52][53]
1936Dick Walker (a) (2) ScotlandDeeside29010 strokes Tom Dobson
Willie Don		(25)[54]
1935Dick Walker (a) ScotlandRoyal Dornoch298Playoff Willie Spark(25)[55][56]
1934Jim Forrester ScotlandInverness2876 strokes Ken Forbes (a)25[57]
1933Jack McLean (a) ScotlandMurcar Links2941 stroke Jack McMillan(20)[58]
1932James Henderson ScotlandNairn292Playoff Jimmy McDowall20[59][60]
1931Jimmy McDowall ScotlandRoyal Aberdeen2897 strokes Julian Jaffray20[61]

In 1932 Henderson beat McDowall 77 to 79 in the 18-hole playoff. In 1935 Walker beat Spark 75 to 76 in the 18-hole playoff. In 1937 McLean beat Durward 73 to 79 in the 18-hole playoff. In 1939 McLean and Thomson tied on 74 after an 18-hole playoff but McLean won 73 to 75 in a second 18-hole playoff in the afternoon. In 1949 Ballingale scored 72 to Thomson's 74. In 1955 Brown scored 71 to Panton's 77. In 1956 Panton scored 73 to Brown's 74. In 1958 Will scored 75, Macdonald scored 77 and Weetman 79. In 1963 Will won at the first extra hole with a birdie 3. In 1964 Taylor won at the second extra hole with a 4. In 1987 Hunter won with a par 4 at the first extra hole.

  • + reduced to 54 holes.
  • ++ reduced to 36 holes.

References
  1. https://pgagbi.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/pgagbi18/event/pgagbi18813/champions.htm
  2. HighBeam
  3. "Brooks breaks northern hoodoo with a closing 66". The Glasgow Herald. 20 May 1989. p. 17.
  4. "Pillar to post triumph for Huish in Northern Open". The Glasgow Herald. 21 May 1988. p. 23.
  5. "Hunter's gale-lashed 69 fires sudden-death win". The Glasgow Herald. 16 May 1987. p. 23.
  6. "Weir survives birdie blitz". The Glasgow Herald. 3 May 1986. p. 18.
  7. "Barnes beats own doubts". The Glasgow Herald. 4 May 1985. p. 18.
  8. "Huish beats Barnes and the bookmaker". The Glasgow Herald. 21 April 1984. p. 14.
  9. "Cooper banks £1750 after final round 70". The Glasgow Herald. 6 May 1983. p. 25.
  10. "Marshall raids the North". The Glasgow Herald. 7 May 1982. p. 26.
  11. "Right way round as Thomson wins Northern". The Glasgow Herald. 8 May 1981. p. 21.
  12. "Huish wins his second North open". The Glasgow Herald. 2 May 1980. p. 24.
  13. "Farmer reaps first major championship". The Glasgow Herald. 27 April 1979. p. 30.
  14. "Brian lands another big catch". The Glasgow Herald. 29 April 1978. p. 18.
  15. "Murray comes of age with third-round 69". The Glasgow Herald. 29 April 1977. p. 29.
  16. "A rewarding return for Chillas". The Glasgow Herald. 30 April 1976. p. 29.
  17. "Runaway win for Willie Milne". The Glasgow Herald. 2 May 1975. p. 25.
  18. "Milne's record win in Northern Open". The Glasgow Herald. 3 May 1974. p. 4.
  19. "Northern Open won by David Huish". The Glasgow Herald. 4 May 1973. p. 4.
  20. "Bannerman joins elite in Northern". The Glasgow Herald. 5 May 1972. p. 2.
  21. "Pirie achieves his greatest success". The Glasgow Herald. 10 April 1970. p. 6.
  22. "Bannerman holds on for title in nervous finish". The Glasgow Herald. 11 April 1969. p. 6.
  23. "Webster's Northern victory". The Glasgow Herald. 12 April 1968. p. 6.
  24. "Bannerman wins by six strokes in Northern Open". The Glasgow Herald. 14 April 1967. p. 6.
  25. "Liddle's unexpected Northern success". The Glasgow Herald. 15 April 1966. p. 6.
  26. "Northern Open win by J. T. Brown". The Glasgow Herald. 10 April 1965. p. 6.
  27. "Same pair play off for Northern Open". The Glasgow Herald. 11 April 1964. p. 5.
  28. "Northern Open won again by Will". The Glasgow Herald. 19 April 1963. p. 6.
  29. "Panton wins seventh Northern Open". The Glasgow Herald. 13 April 1962. p. 6.
  30. "Northern Open title for Weetman". The Glasgow Herald. 14 April 1961. p. 14.
  31. "Sixth Northern title win for Panton". The Glasgow Herald. 15 April 1960. p. 11.
  32. "Fifth Northern Open title for Panton". The Glasgow Herald. 17 April 1959. p. 11.
  33. "Triple tie for North Open Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 18 April 1958. p. 4.
  34. "Early success for G. Will". The Glasgow Herald. 19 April 1958. p. 9.
  35. "Brown's fifth victory in Northern "Open"". The Glasgow Herald. 20 April 1957. p. 8.
  36. "Panton and Brown again tie for Northern Open golf". The Glasgow Herald. 13 April 1956. p. 4.
  37. "Panton beats Brown in Northern golf title play-off". The Glasgow Herald. 15 April 1956. p. 9.
  38. "Panton and Brown tie for Northern title". The Glasgow Herald. 15 April 1955. p. 4.
  39. "Brown's easy victory in Murcar play-off". The Glasgow Herald. 16 April 1955. p. 9.
  40. "E. C. Brown's fine victory in Northern "Open"". The Glasgow Herald. 16 April 1954. p. 4.
  41. "Northern Open golf title for Anglo-Scot". The Glasgow Herald. 24 April 1953. p. 9.
  42. "Panton's comfortable win in Nairn golf". The Glasgow Herald. 27 April 1951. p. 9.
  43. "Eric Brown wins "Northern"". The Glasgow Herald. 14 April 1950. p. 7.
  44. "Tie for Northern Open golf championship". The Glasgow Herald. 29 April 1949. p. 2.
  45. "Ballingall's day at Murcar". The Glasgow Herald. 30 April 1949. p. 2.
  46. "Panton wins at Inverness". The Glasgow Herald. 22 April 1948. p. 6.
  47. "Northern Open golf title". The Glasgow Herald. 18 April 1947. p. 6.
  48. "Forrester wins at Murcar". The Glasgow Herald. 18 April 1946. p. 6.
  49. "Young Scots renew golf revalry". The Glasgow Herald. 28 April 1939. p. 4.
  50. "M'Lean's revenge on old golf rival". The Glasgow Herald. 29 April 1939. p. 2.
  51. "T B Haliburton's fighting finish". The Glasgow Herald. 14 April 1938. p. 2.
  52. "M'Lean and Durward in Northern golf tie". The Glasgow Herald. 16 April 1937. p. 6.
  53. "Two holes decide golf tie for M'Lean". The Glasgow Herald. 17 April 1937. p. 3.
  54. "Second Northern "Open" win". The Glasgow Herald. 16 April 1936. p. 3.
  55. "Tie in Northern "Open"". The Glasgow Herald. 26 April 1935. p. 6.
  56. "Amateur wns North "Open"". The Glasgow Herald. 27 April 1935. p. 3.
  57. "New Northern "Open" record". The Glasgow Herald. 26 April 1934. p. 3.
  58. "Victory for Jack M'Lean". The Glasgow Herald. 21 April 1933. p. 4.
  59. "Thrilling tie at Nairn". The Glasgow Herald. 22 April 1932. p. 18.
  60. "Troon assistant wins Nairn play-off". The Glasgow Herald. 23 April 1932. p. 16.
  61. "Northern Open tournament". The Glasgow Herald. 1 May 1931. p. 4.
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