Blairgowrie golfer honoured after playing course for 70 years

A Perthshire man, who cycled six miles with a bag of clubs slung over his back to become a junior member of Blairgowrie Golf Club, has been honoured for commitment 70 years on.

Retired dairy farmer and former captain Tom Watson, 81, was presented with a print of the Rosemount clubhouse to mark his long association.

Current captain Brian Wesencraft said: “There can’t be many golfers who can boast seven decades of membership and it’s great to see Tom still playing regularly and representing the club so splendidly.

“He is a past captain, spent 13 years on the committee and played a valuable role in our centenary sub-committee.

“We couldn’t let this remarkable milestone go unmarked as there can’t be many clubs with a member who is still playing regularly 70 years after joining.”

Tom, who welcomed royalty, world leaders, international businessmen, astronaut Neil Armstrong and stars of sport, stage and screen to Gleneagles for more than a decade as the starter on the King’s Course, lives just a pitch away from the 18th fairway on Lansdowne and still gets in four or five rounds a week.

He has played Augusta, tackled all the Open rota venues and also teed-up in Europe, South Africa, Australia and South America, but nothing beats his home club.

“It was on May 16 1948 that I cycled the quiet back road to Blairgowrie to first become a member,” he said.

“It was a beautiful golf course then and while there have been changes down the years it still is a wonderful spot.

“I count myself lucky to have been a member here for all these years and been blessed with good health to enjoy it.”

Tom Watson, left, with club captain Brian Wesencraft.