Ace news for the court king Russell
He first picked up a wooden racket as a young lad - and has hardly put it down since.
Russell Ferguson, the grandee of Troon Lawn Tennis Club, has been given lifetime honorary membership for his dedication to the game.
Astonishingly he has racked up 60 years continuous playing membership of the old club.
At 68 Russell can still cover the court like a man half his age and has been an elite team player for decades.
It’s only the fifth time in the 123year history of the club that the honour has been bestowed.
The marketing guru graciously accepted the award at the club’s AGM earlier this month.
He joined the club as a junior when tennis was essentially a summer only game - not the all weather floodlit courts of today.
Club President David Christian said: “We are thrilled to present Russell with honorary membership and his achievement is a great example to all of the values deeply rooted in Troon Lawn Tennis Club.
“To this day, Russell continues to make himself available and encourage all senior and juniors.
“His extraordinary efforts are a great advertisement for tennis, a sport that has given great pleasure to Russell over many years.”
Russell served on the committee between 1979 and 1991, and was club president in 1984, 1985, 1990 and 1991.
That final year of presidency was undertaken for the difficult and costly task of laying new astroturf front courts.
As a player, he won the men’s doubles in 1984 and 1985 and claimed the mixed doubles in 2005. Russell is also a regular on the Ayrshire tennis leagues,
representing various teams throughout the summer months.
He said: “I am both delighted and appreciative of this very kind gesture from the Club. Tennis is a great sport and exercise for all ages – even when that little bit older. Troon has always been a club where people of all standards can enjoy the competition and fun of the game. I feel very lucky to have enjoyed the camaraderie of the club for many years. The Club is always moving forward and I hope there are many others who enjoy a lifetime of this great game. I am not giving up.”
With plans underway to resurface the back courts, Troon tennis is looking forward to a new era and will focus on establishing the junior coaching programme and attracting people back to tennis after a few years away from the sport.