The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Golf shop keen to welcome Open visitors
A long-established business at Monifieth Golf Links will be welcoming many international visitors when the Open is held at Carnoustie in July.
At the helm of Ron McLeod’s Golf Shop are Gordon McLeod and Lee Sutherland, who took the reins as joint head professionals in 2011.
Gordon is the third generation of his family involved in running the venture, which was opened by his grandfather, Ron, in 1932. His father, Ian, took over in 1975. Monifieth Golf Links has a unique position, as its two courses are shared by four clubs: Monifieth Golf Club, Grange Golf Club, Broughty Golf Club and Ladies Panmure Golf Club.
Gordon said the shop’s regular customers tend to be Monifieth golfers and other local players but with the return of the Open this summer, they will be from all over the planet.
He added: “It’s great to speak to visitors from other countries and hear how golf is played around the world.
“You get the sense of how much a trip to the Home of Golf means to them.
“Many golfing visitors come to watch or play golf on the championship courses at St Andrews and Carnoustie, which we are wedged between.
“Monifieth Medal has been an Open qualifying course and, with it being a top links layout, it attracts many visitors who are looking to play the fast-running links golf they only find in this country.”
Famous faces at Monifieth have included golfing legend Tom Watson.
Gordon explained: “In 2016 he gave a speech on the first tee about his love of links golf and how his first shot ever hit on a links course was on Monifieth before he went on to win the 1975 Open at Carnoustie.”
Asked about the secret to the golf shop being able to survive in today’s tough business environment, Gordon said they have built a good reputation for club repairs over the years and keep up to date with club fitting.
He added: “Recently we installed a Sky Trak golf launch monitor, which has worked well for club fitting and indoor lessons.
“We are a small shop so we can keep costs down and, with us being part of a large buying group, we can also remain competitive with the big guys.
“We can usually match or beat internet prices when we are given the chance.
“We still have the advantage of being able to show a customer how a club or product works and they can get it in their hands and even take it on the golf course to try it out, which is still our big advantage.”