Forsyth shoots course record

Pro helps Porters team to success as golfers raise £4,000 for Dundee Heritage Trust

Dozens of golfers were at Downfield Golf Club in Dundee on Thursday to take part in the RRS Discovery Pro-Am.

The special exhibition, staged to raise money for Dundee Heritage Trust, hosted both professional and amateur players.

Professional golfer and European Tour veteran Alastair Forsyth scored 10 under to win the competition, shooting a new club record of 62 in the process.

He said: “I really enjoyed it.

“I’ve been playing OK recently, but that was as good as I’ve played for a while.

“It was one of those days where everything clicks.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever played the course, so obviously it’s a great start to that.

“The company was good, the conditions were great and the greens were perfect. I enjoyed it.”

He added: “We play in a lot of pro-ams. I was delighted to get into this one and do my bit to help out.”

Tour organiser Craig Simpson admitted he was delighted with the turnout for the event and said the money raised would go towards projects like maintaining Dundee’s famous Discovery research vessel. He said: “It was pretty much a sell-out. “We had some really high profile professionals and to have someone like Alastair Forsyth is just great for the event.

“For us, a big part of today, is raising funds for the Heritage Trust and it looks like we’re going to raise a few thousand pounds, which is great.”

Craig admits the trust find it difficult to compete with other successful local charities at times and revealed events like the pro-am will go a long way in helping the group fulfil its aims.

“There’s so much competition in terms of charities,” said Craig.

“Charities like the ARCHIE Foundation have done really well and have a very high profile locally, so the Heritage Trust find it a bit harder to get that profile.

“They’re about to refurbish all the masts on the Discovery and it’s not a cheap job in keeping the Discovery.

“The Discovery is obviously an incredibly important part of Dundee’s heritage, so events like this are important for raising funds to carry out these projects.”

The event raised £4,172 for the trust.

Pictures: Kim Cessford.

Right: the winning team, Porters Bar and Restaurant, from left: pro Alastair Forsyth, Kevin Webster, Paul Teviotdale and Drew Webster; left: runners-up 1st Office Equipment Ltd, Brian Kidd, pro Paul O’Hara, David Soutar and Brian James Kidd; above:...

Alastair Forsyth’s card, showing how he put together his course record 62.