Golfer Jamie’s Ryd-ing high
HE proud mum of
golfer Jamie Donaldson has admitted she is finally accepted his chosen career after he grabbed the winning point at the Ryder Cup.
Thirty- eight- year- old Jamie, from Mottram, floating in a 146-yard wedge shot to within 18 inches of the 15th hole to clinch the titles for Europe in Gleneagles
Mum Jackie, who moved to Macclesfield with husband Jim and Jamie and his siblings when was a child, joked that the win has proven he can a successful career as a golfer.
She said: “He learned his game outside the back garden in South Park, Macclesfield. But I was there in the background saying ‘you have got to get some work done, you have got to get through your exams.’
“So, I did say to him when I gave him a big hug, ‘ you don’t need a proper job now’.”
Jackie, who witnessed his triumph at Gleneagles with Jamie’s dad Jim, brother Alex and sister Kerry, said: “It was out of this world, a very special moment. It was something so spectacular and we were so proud of him. I always thought it would be amazing if Jamie had that one shot at clinching the Ryder Cup. When it hap - pened, I just wanted to cry.
“To hear all those people chanting your son’s name was so wonderful.” Jamie, who took up the game when he was 12, is Vice President at Macclesfield Golf Club and threetimeEuropean tour winner. David Hopewell, president at the Hollins Road club, said the club’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing since Donladson put it on the world map.
He said: “The club house was full and you can safely say the course was empty. The atmosphere was electric. It was a very special three or four days for us and we are all immensely proud of Jamie. He just came through, particularly on those last two or three holes. He not only got the winning shot but it was a stunning one too.”
He added: “Jamie was always a very good junior and knuckled down to make the very best of his talents. He was very dedicated and decided at an early age he wanted to be a golfer.
His dad Jim was responsible for our junior section for a number of years and Jamie has remained very much involved with the club.”
Allan Stevens, club captain, recognised the teenager’s star quality early on.
He said: “I have known Jamie since he was 14 and at 15 I realised he was going to become a professional because he could hit the ball better than most members. It was a tell-tale sign.
“As we all know his putting is some of the best on the European Tour. But we saw that down here from an early age.
“I never had any doubts he would make it, especially when he got to 18 or 19. As well as a great golfer he is also a fantastic lad; a gentleman.”
Jamie was upgraded to vice-president at the club when he captured his first PGA title-the 2012 Irish Open, and a spring trophy, contested each May, was named in his honour.
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