Craigie Hill hosts charity golf day
George Stubbs, Tish Douglas, Jennifer Davidson and Susan Douglas The Barrie Douglas Foundation is hosting a sell-out charity golf day at Craigie Hill.
The event, sponsored by one of Scotland’s biggest independent insurance brokers and finance companies, the GS Group, tees-up on Friday, June 8.
It follows hard on the heels of the successful inaugural Scottish Junior Masters held at Blairgowrie Golf Club in memory of a hugely influential figure in Scottish amateur golf.
That event backed by Blackadders and Carbon Financial attracted praise from European Tour stars including Paul Lawrie, Stephen Gallacher, Richie Ramsay and Bradley Neil.
Barrie, who died at the age of 69 after taking ill while captaining the Scotland boys’side at the European Team Championships in Spain last year, was a member and past champion of both Blairgowrie and Craigie Hill golf clubs.
The charity day was sold out within 24 hours and long-time friend George Stubbs, managing director of the Perth-based GS Group, said:“That is testament to just how popular Barrie was in golfing circles and beyond.
“As a company we are delighted to help support the Foundation created in his memory. Barrie would have been delighted to see so many people supporting a charity which will help nurture young golfing talent.”
A former Perth and Kinross county player, George said Barrie had been hugely influential in nurturing grassroots golf and encouraging teenage talent with an eye on the professional game.
“Barrie was a father figure to so many youngsters,”said George.“My dad was good friends with Barrie’s father Jimmy and I must have been 10 or so when our paths first crossed.
“He became a firm friend and we played often through our county connections and the Perth Academy FPS.
“It was an honour to be invited by the family to join those paying tribute to Barrie at the service held to celebrate his life.
“The Hill event will be great fun and I’m sure we will be sharing memories of a wonderful character who enriched all our lives.”
Barrie’s widow Tish is delighted with the remarkable response to a fun golf day, including laser clays, which will become a feature on the local calendar.
“While the Scottish Junior Masters was an Order of Merit counting event for Scotland’s most promising young golfers, this is strictly for fun,”she said.
“Barrie always enjoyed these days, playing with friends and swapping tales.
“It’s great to have support from the GS Group and so many other local businesses. And all the money raised will help the Foundation progress its aims in years to come.”