Included in the shortlist were representatives from Kingbarns Golf Club and St Andrews Golf Club but it was a delighted and amazed 27-year-old Macdonald of School Street, Embo, who collected the award which was first presented in 2006.The individuals nominated required to be under 30 years of age, be connected through employment with a public tourism body or a Golf Tourism Scotland member company, and be actively involved in golf related tourism in Scotland. The award seeks to identify young people who are dynamic, who add vitality to the industry and who have the potential to play an important future role in the developing of Golf Tourism in Scotland.

Alexander, who attended the awards ceremony with his assistant greenkeeper Craig J Mackay, told the NT this week: "I am absolutely delighted with the award but I don't just see it as a personal award, as I couldn't have achieved it without the help of everyone else involved. It's an appraisal of our work as a team, which not only includes the two other greenkeepers but also volunteers such as Donnie Jack, John Davies and Arnie Bevan. But I am naturally pleased to be recognised personally as well."

Alexander was nominated for the award by Ian McCaig of the Scottish Golf Classics. He told us: "We host the Highland Golf Classic on an annual basis featuring Royal Dornoch, Tain, Brora and Golspie courses. Every year we come north we are always conscious of the players' comments and their views of playing golf in such a unique area.

"Golspie is the least known of the four courses on the rota but never fails to surprise the visitors with its charm and quality. This year the effect was even more noticeable with comments on the quality of the course supporting the usual comments about friendliness.

"When we asked further, the story about Alexander and his plans to develop the standards of the course and his vision for the future came out. It just jumped out at me at the time that this indeed, historically, is what golf in Scotland was always about – passion, skill and commitment. The nomination was easy to make.

"The Highland Golf Classic will return in the spring of 2009 and we're delighted that next year's players will be met with an award on the wall to which they contributed!"

Alexander was appointed head greenkeeper at Golspie 18 months ago, having been an apprentice at Wentworth where his uncle Kevin McGrath – also formerly of Embo – is head greenkeeper of the East Course. Since taking over at Golspie, he has received considerable acclaim for the course.

NT golf correspondent Robin Wilson said: "I am full of praise for the remarkable turnaround in the course since Alex took over. I am amazed by the transformation and the amount of work he and his team have put in. It has taken the course back to its glory days when it was one of the most picturesque in the Highlands."

The club's vice captain and greens convener, John Davies, told the NT: "We are absolutely over the moon that Alex has received this award. He is a quality greenkeeper who has turned the course around. It was his enthusiam and knowledge that impressed us at his interview here and apparently it was the same drive which caught the imaginations of the Golf Tourism Scotland board of directors who interviewed him for 30 minutes.

"He combines technical excellence with an eye for design and people skills. He persuaded us to take on another greenkeeper, Craig J Mackay of Embo, who was formerly assistant at Aberdeen, and an apprentice, also Craig Mackay, from Golspie, and he has fired them with the same sense of dedication and professionalism and commitment which he displays. I can honestly say it is a joy to watch the three of them working together because of the pride in their work and they clearly love working together.

"We took a gamble when we took Alex on and another two greenkeepers because we are not a rich club, but it has paid off. Alex has a firm five-year plan and already his vision is reaping rewards. Most clubs have seen a down-turn in visitors this year, but we have had a slight increase.

"He has had the backing of a committed management committee and we also have a thriving group of volunteers who give so much to the club. We are a small club but the friendliness and enthusiasm there means there is a fantastic atmosphere and everyone is pulling in the same direction. We run the club professionally but with personal dedication and passion that makes it almost unique."

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---