The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘It was quite the surprise’ — golf fan Archie, 7, scores hole in one
Youngster tipped for success after sinking first shot at Strathmore Golf Centre nine-hole course
I don’t think he really understood how good it was at first but I told him I’ve been playing for 50-odd years and I’ve never done it. GRANDFATHER DON MURRAY
A keen young golfer is being tipped for future success after getting his first hole in one at just seven years old.
Little Archie Pattullo had just started a round with his grandfather Don Murray at Strathmore Golf Centre, Alyth, when he made the shot on the 117yard first hole on Leitfie, the centre’s nine-hole course.
Archie, a pupil of Airlie Primary School, comes from a family of golfers and has been playing since he was five years old, but Don could not believe his eyes.
“It was the very first hole so it was quite the surprise,” he said.
“I looked round and said to him ‘I think that went in’ so he ran over to check and found his ball in the hole.
“I don’t think he really understood how good it was at first but I told him I’ve been playing for 50-odd years and I’ve never done it.”
The future looks bright for Archie, who has the support of his family and bosses at the club, which is near to his home in Craigton of Airlie.
Dad Ian Pattullo said: “I do golf but I’m not the best.
“Archie goes out with his grandad and he’s doing really well.
“He’s too young to tell just how good he’s going to be yet but hopefully he’ll do well out of it.
“When you start something as young as he has and stick at it there is a much better chance of being successful.”
Iain Butchart, junior convener at Strathmore, also sees the young golfer’s potential. “He’s a great wee kid,” he said. “He was bit shy when he first started, he was only five, but he has come out of his shell and he’s a lot more confident now.
“He’s still young but I think he has a lot of potential.”