Family support for golfing Booths

May 27 2008 by Gordon Bannerman

CARLY is relieved that caddies are being laid-on by the Curtis Cup committee.

And that gets proud dad Wallace off the hook!

The former Liverpool doorman and Commonwealth Games wrestling medal winner admits he isn’t as sprightly as he once was.

Recalling golfing tales at the family’s home in the hills near Comrie, Carly admitted dad had let the side down in the past.

Two years ago, playing the New Course at St Andrews, she found herself penalised two strokes after absent-minded dad and the trolley he was pulling inadvertently wandered into the line of Carly’s shot.

“The trolley was actually pulling dad!” laughed Carly. “I hadn’t even noticed what he was up to. He had been away putting something in a bin. But an official thought we were seeking an advantage.”

Dad had been press-ganged into action when two rivals turned-up with caddies.

Mum Pauline noted: “Wallace is the bionic man, with two new knees and a hip, so he’s not really cut out for caddying!”

Carly pitched in: “Dad will say things like ‘see that bunker over there – don’t put it in there!’ And when I’ve played a shot he’ll be asking where its gone!”

Struggling manfully to his own defence, Wallace countered: “I did my best but Carly was having to wait for me and her clubs to catch up!

“I do admit I’ll sometimes groan when Carly or Wallace hit a bad shot after going on a good run. It’s only because I’m disappointed for them.”

Dad is more comfortable chauffeuring Carly to golf events.

This week, the Booth family face a logistical nightmare, bobbing about between the Old Course and the nearby Duke’s, where Wallace (22) is playing in the Bidwells Scottish stroke-play event as Carly handles Curtis Cup duties.

Pauline said: “It will be a bit hectic but we’ll manage to support them both.”

And next month, 18-year-old Paul will lure them to Cardiff when he defends his U24 title at the UK special needs powerlifting championships.