Golfing legend, 80, is honouredwith lifetime achievement award
SHE was the belle of the dimpled ba’ game so it was perhaps not surprising that Belle Robertson was “dancing with delight” when she heard she was receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at last night’s Scottish Golf Awards in Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange.
For the 80-year-old Robertson, who remains as fit as a freshly buffed up fiddle and is a splendid example of golfing longevity, this accolade was thoroughly merited.
From her original home of Southend on the southerly tip of the Kintyre peninsula, Dunaverty member Robertson would make the kind of epic journeys that would’ve made Phileas Fogg gasp as she competed here, there and everywhere on the amateur circuit.
Seven Scottish Ladies’ Amateur Championships, a trio of British Ladies’ Strokeplay titles, nine Curtis Cup appearances as both player and captain? Robertson achieved just about everything that could be achieved in the unpaid ranks.
Along with the honorary membership she received from the Royal & Ancient a couple of years ago, this sprightly, elegant Scot continues to have her myriad conquests celebrated.
“I feel very honoured and humble that this should come my way,” she said.
On an evening of wide-ranging recognition and glass-clinking, which highlighted all that is good about Scottish golf, there was double delight for Dunaverty as Jock MacVicar, the doyen of domestic golf writing and an old primary school class-mate of Robertson, joined her on stage to receive his own Lifetime Achievement Award.
The small, tightly-knit band of golf writing brothers always jest the 79-yearold has been reporting on the game since Old Tom Morris was playing in the St Andrews Boys’ Championship. Jock, who covered his first Open at Troon in 1962, gives as good as he gets among the young whippersnappers, though, and he remains a valued colleague and a trusted, cherished friend. The fact he is showing no sign of retiring keeps us all on our toes.
Paul Lawrie, who presented the gongs, was also given his own Inspiration Award for his sterling achievements and endeavours both on and off the course while Russell Knox, the Florida-based Scot, was named as the Player of the Year. Jamie Stewart & Hazel MacGarvie Hazel MacGarvie Ian Rae Jock MacVicar Graham Bell & Sheena Wood Euan McIntosh & Hannah McCook Douglas Slater, Stromness GC Paul Lawrie Muir of Ord GC Robert MacIntyre Russell Knox Belle Robertson &