Caddies are ball right now after huge lockdown hit
Two golf caddies have seen a lockdown business idea soar off the tee.
Campbell Mathieson and Andrew Bogle, both 22, launched ‘ Ayrshire Discount Golf Balls’ at the height of the pandemic shutdown.
Their idea, to sell second hand equipment to eager players, has since taken off.
And the Troon lads have now shifted more than 15,000 balls to players the length and breadth of the country.
Their project, which sees a portion of proceeds go to Whiteleys Retreat, is also proving a much needed winner away from the greens.
Campbell told the Post: “We’ve been blown away by the response since launching in July.
“As keen golfers ourselves, we always knew there was a demand for this kind of stuff.
“But to sell more than 15,000 balls already has taken us by surprise and we’re thrilled with how it’s gone.”
The duo shift everything from premium range gear right down to budget brands to suit all tastes.
And their operation has even been boosted by ball collectors coming on board to join the party.
Campbell revealed: “People have been keen to join us, which is great.
“Golf ball collecting is a bigger hobby than many people think and it’s how this whole concept started out for us.
“We literally had thousands of old balls lying around and didn’t have any use for them.
“The idea of refurbishing them and getting them back on the market seemed a relatively simple one and it’s proved very successful.”
The lads originally took inspiration from Andy’s late Grandad who, after becoming unable to swing a club, used to walk his local course at Biggar almost every night for 40 years.
As a result, he built up a collection of balls in the thousands.
Within 12 days of launching, the boys had their own website and branding and have seen demand for the products soar around the country.
Uni student Campbell added: “It’s been fantastic to see and we’re just trying to keep up with demand, if I’m honest.
“We even have two boys in Doonfoot helping out with collecting and they’re only five and 10- years- old.
“They absolutely love it and that’s the great kind of thing to come from this.
“But above all, it’s been fantastic to raise as much money as we have for Whiteleys.
“Already we’ve donated more than £ 800 and that’s more than we could have hoped when we started out.
“The charity does such amazing work and anything we can do to help them is great.”
• The boys are always on the lookout for extra stock and will accept donations from far and wide.
To contact them, visit https://www.facebook.com/ayrshiregolfballs