Wentworth Senior Masters
It is a testament to the relative merits of the tournament and the Edinburgh golf course that the Wentworth Senior Masters managed in just 10 short years to blossom into the flagship event on the European Seniors Tour.
Fittingly, the inaugural tournament in 1997 was won by co-designer of the Edinburgh course, Gary Player. The nine-time major champion shot impressive rounds of 69, 68, and 70 to take the title by a solitary stroke, and could barely contain his delight. “Now I’m in my 60’s,” he said, “I don’t know if I’ll ever win again – so, my God, don’t I enjoy it when I win now!”
The Wentworth Senior Masters went from strength to strength, with winners from all over the world including European Tour legend Neil Coles, Sam Torrance and Eduardo Romero. Ever-increasing galleries relished the slightly more relaxed atmosphere of a Seniors Tour event, marvelling at the well-preserved shot-making skills on display. And The Edinburgh course would always receive extensive praise for its superb playing conditions. Like a lot of the competitors, the tournament seemed to be improving with age! Irishman Des Smyth won here in 2007 and regrettably that was to be the last playing of this popular tournament.