Sandy Lodge Golf Club has been selected by the Royal and Ancient to host one of the regional qualifying rounds for the 2015 Open Championship.

The Open Championship, which this year is staged at St Andrews, is the world's number one golfing major and Sandy Lodge is one of 13 UK clubs handed the privilege of hosting a qualifying round.

Course manager Robert Phillips enthused: "This is a welcome challenge for us. My team has been working hard ever since we knew of our selection to create playing conditions that impress both the R & A and the players."

The Open Championship is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. The world’s leading golfers are exempt from the qualifying process but the players competing at Sandy Lodge will be top flight amateurs and aspiring professionals.

General manager, Clive Bailey added: "We are very excited and proud to be among the chosen qualifying venues for the world’s greatest golf tournament.

"The club has invested heavily in course development in recent years and this has not gone unnoticed in the top golfing circles. Our exceptional practice facilities have also been a factor in singling us out for important events."

Sandy Lodge will be welcoming spectators for the event, which takes placed on Monday, June 22, free of charge.