ADVISOR INSIDER NEWS

Congratulations to Loch Lomond, who were awarded the European PGA TOUR's Scottish Open, the week before The Open Championship, through 2005.

The Roxburghe, designed by Dave Thomas, in the Borders area of Scotland has been awarded the Scottish Seniors Open (European PGA Seniors Tour) -- August 31 - September 2, 2001. It will be televised by The Golf Channel.

Gleneagles continues to be the betting favorite as the Ryder Cup venue for 2009. Officials have delayed announcing the site until September, probably during this year's matches at The Belfry. Other Scottish courses still in the running are Loch Lomond, Carnoustie and Turnberry.

The Alfred Dunhill Cup, is changing its name and format in 2001. Renamed The Dunhill Links Challenge it will involve 144 pros and 114 amateurs, with a format similar to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and will be played over St. Andrews Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns October 18-21, 2001.

Richard MacKenzie, the outstanding caddie master at St. Andrews Links, has helped develop a caddie accreditation program, Caddie Connect, in conjunction with the Links Trust and Elmwood College in Cupar, Fife. The program consists of three parts -- 40 hours of classroom instruction in golf etiquette, history and the role of the caddie, making yardage books, rules of golf and customer care; practical on course knowledge involving 30 rounds of bag carrying which includes knowledge of knowledge of the course, time management, etiquette and accuracy of yardage; and a written exam and on course performance evaluation. In order to maintain the Caddie Connect accreditation a short refresher course is required every two years.