Golfer follows in father’s footsteps to become new captain at Royal Dornoch
THE installation of Gary Bethune as captain has marked an historic milestone in the near 150-year history of Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
The two times Carnegie Shield winner follows in the footsteps of his late father Dennis, a professional at Glasgow’s Haggs Castle and Elgin Golf Club, who took on the captaincy role from 1987-89 and became president in 2009.
Golf, and Dornoch, runs deep in the DNA of the Bethune family. After leaving to study dentistry at the University of Glasgow, he spent his working life in Elgin but returned regularly to the village.
“This is an immense honour. It is remarkable to think that I am the first son to follow his father as captain of such a long-established golf club,” said Gary (61), who was educated at Dornoch Academy and Golspie High School.
“My dad welcomed golfing greats and caddied for the likes of Tom Watson during their visits.”
Having been introduced to the links at the age of four, naturally golf and caddying was part of everyday life growing up.
“There are photographs of a group of pals holding the Caddie’s Cup on the banking outside the clubhouse when I was nine or 10.
“As teenagers, we would go out golfing late into the summer evenings, playing different tees and greens. The 9th tee to the 18th green was great fun!
“You certainly can’t do that nowadays. Our tee-sheet is so busy, with visitors setting their hearts on playing our Championship Course.
“As youngsters, putting practice wasn’t about holing that six footer for The Open, it was to win the Shield. So I feel fortunate to have won it a couple of times.”
Gary and Debbie’s children, Sam, Jennifer and globe-trotting caddie Graeme, all took up golf, with both boys enjoying significant tournament wins.
Gary’s two year term in office will coincide with the unveiling of the new £13.9 million clubhouse and he credits predecessors Professor David Bell CBE, Willie MacKay and Rob Murray, and the projects team, for “doing all the hard work.”
“The club has changed hugely down the years and we are all looking forward to the new clubhouse being completed next year,” said two handicapper Gary, who announced Colin Mackay as his vice-captain.
“It is already starting to take shape. I have no doubt it will be a huge asset for the club, the town and the Highlands.
“We have a great team here so it will be marvellous for not only members and visitors but also for our staff.
“Going forward, once the clubhouse is open, we have other exciting projects in the pipeline to maintain Royal Dornoch’s position as one of the premier destinations in world golf.
“It’s great to see us featuring highly in lists of the top courses.
“Dornoch was a ‘hidden gem’ for so many years but is now rightly regarded as one of the great links courses.
“Dornoch is home for us and although I probably took it for granted in my younger years, I know we have something very special here and we all have a responsibility to enhance it for generations to follow.”
