Golf: County made Dear the best in the world

Dec 2 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

WORLD champion Gavin Dear believes county coaching played a key role in thrusting him onto the international stage, writes Gordon Bannerman.

And the gifted Murrayshall golfer, who teamed-up with Wallace Booth and Calum Macaulay to win the world amateur team title for Scotland in Australia, is delighted a new generation of talent is emerging on the

Perth and Kinross county scene.

Gavin (24), from Scone, showed off the stunning £500,000-valued Eisenhower Trophy at the county prize-giving held at Craigie Hill.

He said: “When I speak to other Scotland players it’s clear they haven’t had the level of support players get in Perth and Kinross.

“Kevin McAlpine, Wallace Booth and myself all came through around the same time. I had county coaching from the age of 14. Now there are youngsters like Sam McLaren, Paul McPhee, Ian Redford and Danny Young all winning Scottish titles. We are in good shape. There are quality youngsters coming through for the SGU to develop further.”

Gavin paid tribute to former Gleneagles pro Sandy Smith, now at Ladybank, for helping him on his way in his teens. The Gleneagles team, now headed-up by Russell Smith, continues to back local talent.

He said: “The facilities at Gleneagles are fantastic and there’s no doubt it has helped develop local players.”

Gavin was presented with footballer turned photographer Donald Ford’s book on Scottish golf courses by the county in recognition of his world team success.

Former area secretary DY Rae said: “When I retired there were four local lads in the Scotland team and the county was competing at a different level. None of us ever expected that sort of representation.

“But after winning the Eisenhower Trophy for Scotland, everyone in Perth and Kinross should be proud of what Gavin and Wallace have achieved. It is wonderful.”

PERTH and Kinross County Golf Union Mens prizewinners 2008: Tanser Putter – R Lambie, Dunkeld and Birnam. Presidents Medal – S Fraser, Milnathort.

Perthshire Advertiser Cups – C Ross, Dunkeld and Birnam/G Rennie, Muckhart.

Youths Championship – S McLaren, King James V1.

Stroyan Trophy – B McLeod/W Hutton, Blair Atholl (runners up – M Davidson/D Young, Craigie Hill). Frews of Perth Scratch League – S Graham/T McLevy/D Murray/R Lamond/G Brass, Blairgowrie (M Rose/C Milne/M Wilson/S Carruthers/W Hutton, Pitlochry).

Team Championship – M Davidson/D Young/J Anton, Craigie Hill (T McLevy/R Lamond/G Brass, Blairgowrie).

Coronation Trophy – G Lowson/DD Smith/PScott/S Burns/S Haxton/R Aitken, Auchterarder (K McAlpine/M Cameron/W Grace/P Williamson/S Cochrane/G Kidd,Alyth).

Bell Trophy – I Brown/J Arthur/B Wallace/K Mewse/D Brown, Milnathort (R Aitken/M McKenzie/D Spalding/I Rogalski/A Teague, Milnathort).

Champion of Champions – 1 S Graham, Blairgowrie; 2 R Lamond, Blairgowrie; 3 N Barr, Craigie Hill.

Order of Merit – 1 S Graham, 2 P Scott, Auchterarder, 3 N Barr.

Strokeplay Championship – 1 S Graham, 2 N Barr, 3 S Hume, Murrayshall.

Matchplay Championship – S Graham, Blairgowrie (runner up – P Scott, Auchterarder).

Team Player of the Year – N Barr, Craigie Hill.

Special Presentation: Eisenhower Trophy – Gavin Dear, Murrayshall.

Junior Scratch League – Scott Barber/Jamie Arthur/Callum Gordon/Thomas White/Sam Craigon/Stuart McMillan/Ross Houston, Milnathort.

Order of Merit: U18 – Jamie Arthur, Milnathort. Champions: U14 – Callum Hill, Muckhart; U16 – Jamie Arthur.

Team Championship – Danny Young/Alex Gentles/Ben McGuiness, Craigie Hill.

Strokeplay Championship – Angus Tester (Danny Young).

Matchplay Champion – Angus Tester (Roddie Forgie, Muckhart).

Lee McCormack Award – Paul McPhee, King James V1.

County presentation pictures on page 4

Blairgowrie

WINTER League (November 29) Blue: Division One – D Flynn 42 (bih); G Bodie 42; A Drummond 37.

Division Two – G McD Smith 35. November 30 Blue: Division Two – A Thom 41; A Anderson 32.

Blairgowrie Ladies

WINTER League: Silver – A Smith 45; M Hope 48; bronze – L Whitehead 42; S Irvine 47.

King James VI

SENIORS prizes: Skol Cup – C Forbes; Bell Trophy – P McNicol; Shillitto Trophy – J Moir; Stephen Shield – A Booth; Dewar Trophy – DJ Brown; Hume Plate – J Cowie/R Greenwood; Fleming Shield – J Martin; Matt Ewart Quaich – P McNicol; Christie Rosebowl – C Forbes/W Kilmartin; CM Lawrence Trophy – J Martin; Four Club Shield – S Martin; Shaw Cup – W McCormack (runner-up – JJ Scotland); Captain’s Prize – J Henderson

Texas Scramble: April – J Moir/JJ Scotland/G Dunn; October – J Cowie/I Brown/I Wright.

Medal: April – C Forbes; May – J Blacklaws; June – F Hughes; July – A Watt; August – A Routledge; September – A Fraser; October – DJ Brown.