Ross Laird relishing team tussle against in Palmer Cup

The National

4 days ago

The barman at the Congaree Club, the host venue for the Ryder Cup-style tussle between US college students and their International counterparts, may have his knowledge of beverages tested, however, should Scotsman Ross Laird ask him to rustle up a 'John Panton'.
Laird, the Stirling University student, is a member at Glenbervie, the Larbert club where the celebrated, decorated Panton served as club professional for 40 years.
In that time, a few of his eponymous libations made up of ginger beer, lime and Angostura bitters were served up too.
Whatever drinks are doing the rounds this week, Laird will be hoping he's raising a glass to an International team success.
The 21-year-old played in last weekend's Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at North Berwick before hopping on a transatlantic flight on Monday to join up with his team-mates in the US.
It's been quite the whirlwind but should be worth it.
'It's the opportunity of a lifetime,' said Laird of an event which has featured college standouts like Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald and Francesco Molinari down the seasons.
Interestingly, Laird is the only member of the International team not studying in the US. He did have a brief stint at Cal Poly in California as a teenager but a return to the home comforts of Stirling University has suited him down to a tee.
'I went to California for a semester, but it wasn't for me at the time,' he reflected. 'It wasn't run the way I thought it would be. I had a few friends who were at Stirling at the time.
'One of them, George Cannon, was playing the best golf of his life and he said how good it was. If it was working for him, I thought it could work for me. And it has.'
Stirling University, of course, has become the place to be for those wanting to pursue a golf scholarship on this side of the pond.
Catriona Matthew and Richie Ramsay both graduated from there, as did The Herald's former golf correspondent, John Huggan. Quite a triumvirate, eh?
These days, the golf programme is run by Dean Robertson, the current captain of the GB&I Walker Cup team.
Since starting in his role as head of golf back in 2010, the popular Paisley man has been such a success, he'll probably get immortalised in a monument on the Abbey Craig.
The experience, expertise and sage counsel that Robertson offers continues to stand Laird in good stead.
'Dean has played a big part in my development,' said finance student Laird, who won the British Universities and College Sport order of merit last season.
'He's very understanding, very knowledgeable and just a great guy to go to about anything.
'My game as a whole has improved. Dean has helped me review the stats, what's working, what's not and focus on the areas that I need to improve in.
"Golf is always a work in progress. That's what I love about it. The constant search for improvement.'
While Robertson's nurturing continues to bear fruit, the emergence of Robert MacIntyre on the global stage has given Laird plenty of inspiration too.
'One day, I want that to be me,' added Laird as he aims for the stars. 'He's someone we all want to be; a young man from small town Scotland playing with the best.
"It's amazing what he's achieved, and it shows what can be done with talent and hard work.'
Laird's own golfing career began at the age of eight when he was bitten by the bug. 'Nobody played golf in my family,' he said. 'I only started as my best friend at school played.
'We both joined Falkirk which had an amazing junior section. We'd start on the nine-hole academy course then work our way up. I'd tried a lot of different sports, but nothing really jumped out at me until I got on the golf course. That was me hooked.
"I was out every day. In the summer, we'd be dropped off at the course at 9am and stay there until 8pm at night. We loved it.'
Back in 1961, the aforementioned Panton, one of Scotland's greatest golfers of yore, lost to Palmer in the foursomes of the Ryder Cup at Lytham.
Perhaps another Glenbervie golfer will have better luck in the Palmer Cup? And raise a 'John Panton' to celebrate?