The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Open favourite this week Justin Rose returned to Scotscraig Golf Club in Tayport yesterday to pass on tips and be made an honorary member.
Hopes trail will draw people to discover what High Street has to offer
A number of golf-themed painted rocks will form part of a new art trail as part of Carnoostival, the festival aimed at local residents which celebrates the return of the Open to Carnoustie. Members of the Carnoustie Rocks group have been painting pictures and designs on the rocks, before hiding them around town for other people to find, for some time now. Group founder Emma Allan said they wanted to do something special for the Open and hoped to bring visitors and locals together. “It’s a great way to try something new and get out and about with family and friends,” she said. “The stones are normally hidden around the town and nearby areas, but it was the return of the Open and Carnoostival that spurred me on to put this together. “Hopefully, it won’t just be locals who do the trail. “Visitors here for the Open may like it as a fun activity in the evenings. “Then they can see for themselves the work of crafty, creative Carnoustie people.” Instead of being hidden outside, the stones on the trail will be in shops and businesses around the town. Emma said: “I hope the trail will encourage people to get along the High Street and find out what businesses in the town have to offer, especially as so many of the shops are staying open longer while the golf is on.” Local artists have painted golf-related images on stones, including a caricature of Tiger Woods, a golf club and the 18th flag, as well as a number of famous golfers portrayed as penguins. Members of the public can find out the locations of the stones from a list on the Carnoustie Rocks social media pages. Ms Allan said: “A number of our stones have been to some far-flung places. Local scientist Beth Christie took a stone with a penguin painted on it with her to the Antarctic, while others have been to Alaska, Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Greece. “We started doing the painted rocks about a year ago now, and its great fun. I hope people enjoy doing the trail! At the end of the week, some of the stones will be returned to the artists, but many will be hidden elsewhere around the area for people to find.
It has already been a memorable, spectacular summer of sport. Last weekend the curtain came down on a terrific World Cup and a scintillating Wimbledon. But there is to be no let up, with more still to come. Now the eyes of sports fans from all over the globe are turning toward Courier Country for the Open. It is Carnoustie’s time to shine – and success is surely a gimme.