WORLD "SHOTGUN" 2000 FOR GOLFERS

Golf Clubs all over the world are being invited by St Andrews Links Trust to join in creating the biggest golfing event ever. Around two million golfers could be involved in the event which is being held to celebrate the first year of the new millennium and six centuries of golf at St. Andrews.

Setting the scene will be an event for local golfers in St Andrews at midday on Saturday 24 June, 2000 with a "shotgun start". Golf clubs around the world are being invited to stage their own event, which could be a members' competition, a charity day, a pro-am or a corporate day, and to coordinate it with the starting gun at the Home of Golf.

The St Andrews' shotgun start will be filmed by a camera linked to the Internet and shown liver all over the world on the Trust's website. To allow for time differences there will also be shotgun starts at 6am and 6pm on the Old Course only, making it possible for clubs in the Far East and the West Coast of America to take part.

"Golf is one of the biggest participation sports in the world and our aim is to have as many golfers as possible involved on one day. Every golfer who hits a ball in coordination with the starting gun at St Andrews will be participant", said Peter Mason, external relations manager, St Andrews Links Trust. "We chose this date as it is the nearest Saturday to the longest day in the northern hemisphere giving the best opportunity for maximum numbers".

The number of golf courses in the world is around 30,000 so up to two million golfers could be involved.

The Trust will create a register of all the clubs and golfers taking part which will be kept as a permanent record in the Links Clubhouse in St Andrews. In addition, every club and player will receive a certificate confirming their prat in the event.

"This is for the golfers of the world, offering them the opportunity to have a lot of fun and their names permanently recorded at the Home of Golf", added Mr Mason. "The courses at St Andrews Links are open to all golfers and the St Andrews World Shotgun 2000 mirrors that great tradition."

Clubs and golfers wishing to find out more should visit the Trust's website or call Carolyne Nurse, the public relations manager on 01334 466666.