Perthshire duo are the Wizards of Oz

Oct 21 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THEY’RE the pride of Perthshire and now golf duo Wallace Booth and Gavin Dear have the world at their feet.

For the first time, Scotland have won the prestigious biennial Eisenhower Trophy after leaving 65 nations in their wake at the World Amateur Team Championships in Australia.

It’s an event which, in the past, has spawned stars of world golf like Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange, Luke Donald and Tiger Woods.

The Perth and Kinross players – who are now chasing European Tour cards to step-up into the professional ranks – joined Callum Macaulay from Tulliallan to blitz a star-studded field.

Over four rounds, with two scores counting each day over the Royal Adelaide and Grange courses, the Scots finished an incredible nine shots clear of second placed USA.

Conquering heroes Booth (Comrie) and Dear (Murrayshall) touch down in Scotland today.

But they’re still on a high after an historic win, with the old GB and Ireland team managing just four wins in the history of a tournament dating back 50 years.

All three players produced scintillating golf, dovetailing perfectly and making valuable contributions Down Under.

Booth, the Bidwells Scottish Amateur Strokeplay champion, said: “It’s just fantastic and an amazing result for us – unbelievable in fact!

“We were quietly confident heading to Australia because we felt we had a strong team.

“But to win by nine shots from the Americans was incredible.”

The gold medal winning Scots had to dig in as the wind picked up on the last day but Dear, who has reserved his best form for international duty this season, said: “It helps because we are all good wind players. It was good to have it blowing a near gale and we know that par is a good score in such conditions.”

Elated retiring Scotland captain George Crawford commented: “It’s history in the making for our small nation, which is also the Home of Golf. The way golf has developed on the continent means it’s much more difficult to compete at this level. It’s an historic

occasion. It’s tremendous!”

Macaulay was second and Booth fourth on the individual ladder.

The Scots 560 total was 20 under par, with the USA 11 under and third placed Sweden six under.

Wales were tied in 11th, England came in at 14 and Ireland, fancied pre-tournament for further success, trailed in 22nd place.

Perth-based Barrie Douglas, Scotland’s U18 manager and former county supremo, has watched Booth and Dear develop over several years.

Yesterday he remarked: “They are top quality players and both played their part in a real team effort.

“It is an amazing boost for Scottish golf and what a coup for Perth and Kinross. We could never have dreamed about this just a few years ago.”

Big County seniors Glenn Campbell and Kevin McAlpine have bagged national titles in recent years and several under age championships have come to the area.

The Eisenhower Trophy now heads back to the Scottish Golf Union’s base in St Andrews, where it will be on display for the next two years.