Gregor returns with the drive to succeed Tournament golf delight after COVID-19 lockdown
He has returned to tournament action with renewed vigour for what remains an important year in his golfing development.
Gregor Graham wondered just when he would be able to grace fairways across the land when the coronavirus pandemic shut courses back in March.
That moment arrived at the end of May and, now in August, a competition schedule of sorts has the Blairgowrie swing king keen to make up for lost time.
The plus-two handicapper last week reached the last four of the Stephen Gallacher national matchplay event at Castle Park Golf Club.
He was edged out by fellow Scottish youth internationalist Ruben Lindsay, who won the event, by one hole in what was described as an “epic” encounter in East Lothian.
Despite narrowly missing out on the final - Blairgowrie’s Cormac Sharpe was the same - the buzz for tournament golf had very much made a comeback.
“I played well tee to green all week,” said Gregor (16), who was playing with a new set of clubs after gaining strength and swing speed during lockdown.
“There were a couple of bad weather days but I played them really well.
“Ruben was six-under for the front nine and I was three under. I couldn’t really do much about that.
“He holed a couple putts more than me, but it was a really good match. Probably one of the most exciting matchplay games I’ve ever had.
“I’d been with him all week, practising before the round and sometimes after.
“We’re all good mates so there are no hard feelings if you win or lose.
“You always want to win for the bragging rights. He’ll have the bragging rights on me for a couple of weeks now. I’ll eventually need to get them back.”
Bragging rights had previously been up for grabs at the Graham household during lockdown and specifically on the garden putting green.
Gregor smiled: “It was big-time competitive between me, Connor, my other little brother Archie and my dad. It was great fun and we even had a wee trophy for the event.
“I had a net in the garden working on my swing, getting the mechanics right for the start of play. I dialled that in quite hard.
“We’ve also got an astroturf putting green so I’ve been holing out different ranges so I was sharp when getting back out.
“I was so disappointed when tournaments were cancelled but tried to turn everything into a positive. What could I do? I could get stronger and faster with my swing speed.
“I tried to learn new things every day instead of being lazy and lying around watching Netflix. I went out and worked hard through lockdown.
“It was a massive relief a couple of weeks ago when we found out we were getting back to competition.”
The Blairgowrie High student is not just being kept on his toes by brother Connor (13) on the putting green.
Gregor said: “Connor has been playing amazing and recently had his lowest score. It’s all fun and games with Connor, but I don’t like it when he beats me.
“We’re always playing against each other - hitting the sign at the driving range, who can make the most putts or chip it closest.
“His short game and putting is probably as good as anybody.”
Gregor will hope his short game is up to scratch this weekend when he tees-off at The Brabazon Trophy at Sherwood Forest Golf Club.
“I’m excited for that and to play in a big men’s event,” explained Gregor.
“It’s good for me to see where my standard is at a men’s event and it will let me analyse others and what I need to work on.
“All of the best in Britain are going to be there. So I can see them play and reflect on my own game.”