‘ We meet again’ Jeff tells Monty Bunking off to meet hero shaped caddy career
A golf fan who was caught bunking off school to meet his hero Colin Montgomerie on TV has shared the story with the ace.
Je f f B r i g h t o n ’ s mum let him take the day off school ‘ sick’ to go to the legend’s book signing in Ayr. But Jeff, 12 at the time, was first in the queue and ended up on the news after been filmed TV cameras.
Last week the professional caddy, 29, met his idol in person and told him the tale.
Recalling the book signing 17 years ago, mum Ellen McIlwraith said: “He had been harping at me to take the day off. My note to school was that he was sick. He was so excited and Colin Montgomerie was so nice to him. We had to stand in line at the old Ottakars in Ayr. Jeff was first in the queue. It was the most wonderful moment for him. But it never pays to lie - I got caught out. STV filmed Jeff first in the line and it was on the news that night. Of course the teachers all saw him on TV. At the time I was mortified.”
Jeff now travels all over the world with his job as a caddy for professional golfer Christina Kim. He bumped into the ex Ryder Cup Captain ‘ Monty’ at the LPGA Tour golfing tournament in Phoenix Arizona earlier this month. Ellen, who is a grandmother, had a hunt through her photographs and dug out the booksigning memory.
The 53- year- old, of Girvan, said: “Jeff went up to him and told the story about the booksigning and he laughed. He has had a love for golf since he was a little boy. Colin Montgomerie was his hero.”
And Ellen has no regrets about letting her son have the day off to fulfil a dream, which helped shape his future career.
She said: “I would do the same for my granddaughter.”