Bob’s still the stand-out but future looks bright
Scotland can reflect on a year of golfing success in the men’s game, with more exciting times ahead from a talented young crop, believes national coach Ian Rae, writes ED HODGE.
Despite the challenges of 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic, the nation’s golfers were regularly on European Tour leaderboards throughout a disrupted season.
Ma r c Wa r r e n e n j oye d a resurgence to claim the Austrian Open in July, while Bob Macintyre broke through to achieve his maidentour triumph at the Cyprus Showdown in November and is on the verge of the world top 50.
Given the average age of Scots on Tour was in the 30s, the likes of twentys o m e t h i n g s Macintyre (inset), Grant Forrest, Connor Syme and Calum Hill are heralding a new era.
Rae, who led Scotland to backto-back European Amateurteam Championship titles in 2015 and 2016, expected the current crop to break through and believes they are pushing each other on.
“It hasn’t surprised me at all,” said Rae, the long-serving coach, who works with Richie Ramsay.
“It’s tremendous to see young Scots on leaderboards. I think we’ve regularly had a Scot up in the top-10 nearly most weeks. Marc is obviously older and won this year, as did Bob. Grant and Connor had eight top-10s combined this year.
“They have transferred from amateur to pro nicely. Calum Hill has been exceptional, and Craig Howie has also done really well. I expect him and Daniel Young to do well on the Challenge Tour next year.
“So there are others pushing to come through.”
Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Macintyre, is the stand-out so far, with the 24-year-old’s ballstriking set to achieve even more in 2021.
Rae said: “Bob has never been frightened to go out and play well.nothing really phases him.”