Latest news with #Glenbervie
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Ross Laird relishing team tussle against in Palmer Cup
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?
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Ross Laird relishing team tussle against in Palmer Cup
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?
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Who are the Scots bidding to end 18-year Lytham Trophy drought
Lloyd Saltman was the last player to land tartan triumph in one of UK's top amateur events Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Recent Battle Trophy winner Andrew Davidson is among a posse of Scots teeing up in the 59th Lytham Trophy, which last ended up in the hands of a player flying the Saltire in 2007. Davidson, who made home advantage count at Crail to lift the Battle Trophy, is now aiming to make his presence felt in one of the top events on the amateur schedule in the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The legendary Michael Bonallack came out on top in the tournament's first staging in 1965 while other winners since then have included Charlie Green, Jim Farmer and Peter McEvoy, who passed away last month. The 59th Lytham Trophy takes place over the next three days at The Open venue in Lancashire | Getty Images In addition to Green and Farmer, other Scots to taste victory at Royal Lytham over the years have been George Macgregor, Brian Marchbank, Ian Hucheon, Stephen McAllister, Stephen Gallacher, Graham Rankin, Lorne Kelly and Stuart Wilson. The most recent tartan triumph, however, came 18 years ago, when Lloyd Saltman lifted the trophy at a time when he was one of the top amateurs in Great Britain & Ireland. Nairn's Calum Scott, the Silver Medal winner as leading amateur in last year's 152nd Open at Royal Troon, and Blairgowrie teenager Connor Graham are still in the US due to college commitments, as is 2023 Scottish Amateur champion Cameron Adam. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Graham finished second behind England's John Gough in 2022 while Gullane's Oliver Mukherjee tied for sixth in last year's event, won by another home player in Frank Kennedy. Cameron Mukherjee, beaten finalist in this year's South African Amateur Championship, will be hoping to match or even better his brother's effort over the next three days, with the top 40 and ties after 36 holes progressing to the final two rounds on Sunday. Others flying the Saltire on this occasion include current Scottish Amateur champion Alexander Farmer (Kilmacolm), as well as Craigielaw's Angus Carrick, a past winner of that event. Two-time beaten finalist Gregor Tait (Aldeburgh) is also in the field, as are Jack McDonald (Schloss Roxburghe), Ben Murray (Portlethen), Jamie Mann (Vilamoura), Dominic McGlinchey (Renaissance Club), George Cannon (Glenbervie), James Wood (Bathgate) and Ross Laird (Glenbervie).
