Play Better Golf
With Niall McGill
Perthshire-based Highland Spring has been announced as an official event partner for this year’s Solheim Cup.
The best female golfers from Europe and the USA will descend on Gleneagles this September for the exciting biennial spectacle.
And Highland Spring, the biggest producer and supplier of natural source water in the UK, was delighted to support an event which is so close to home.
Simon Oldham, chief commercial officer of Highland Spring, said:“Sport and hydration go hand in hand.
“That’s why we’re passionate about encouraging players and sports fans alike to get active, have fun and keep hydrated.
“This year’s Solheim Cup takes place against the stunning backdrop of the Ochil Hills, in Perthshire, making it a perfect showcase for what Scotland has to offer.
“We’re excited to play a part in helping everyone involved make the most of what will be a truly thrilling sporting event.”
The 2019 Solheim Cup is setting up to be the most successful ever, with strong ticket sales, high levels of interest in the hospitality programme, hundreds of volunteers signed up and a number of commercial partners signed up.
Sponsorship with a stellar stable of global partners includes PING, Rolex and VisitScotland.
Ricoh joins as the official office equipment partner, Highland Spring joins as the official hydration partner while Carryway comes on board as the official golf cart supplier.
Joe FitzPatrick, Scotland’s minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted at the incredible support we have received to host The 2019 Solheim Cup.
“The enthusiasm of these premium international brands to be a part of the match at Gleneagles is so encouraging as they too share in Scotland’s commitment to raising the international profile of women’s golf and delivering a world-class event in September 2019.”
Thousands of tickets have already been sold - some ticket categories‘sold-out’ - and pre-registration for official hospitality is exceeding projections.
The volunteer application programme is over-subscribed by as much as 100 per cent and the event is now closed to new applications.
European captain and VisitScotland ambassador, Catriona Matthew, is looking to return the trophy to Europe in 2019 after an inspired USA team retained their trophy by 16 ½ to 11 ½ points, in front of record crowds in Iowa.
Organisers are now aiming to set a new record for a European edition in 2019. Perth and Kinross county star Andrew Thornton is preparing to open a new chapter in his golfing career.
The Muckhart member recently put pen to paper to join Southern Illinois University, located in the city of Carbondale.
It’s a move which will see Andrew, who plans to study engineering, link-up with a well-respected team who play NCAA Division One college golf.
He hopes the experience will be a beneficial one for all aspects of his game and can’t wait to get started in the summer.
“Originally I was looking to go to university in Glasgow,” Andrew, from Kinross, explained to the Perthshire Advertiser. “But the golf took off in the last year, re-sparking my interest of being a student athlete.
“Andy Newman from United Sports USA was a real help, putting me in contact with various universities.
“After speaking to a few universities I settled on Southern Illinois University.
“The coaches’ desire to succeed impressed me along with the strong competition schedule, playing against some of the top schools.
“Justin Fetcho, the coach, did a great job of answering the many questions I had about the school.
“I did a lot of research online of academic tables and the golf programme.
“And I also had a chat with Calum Hill’s dad about his experience with recruitment and what to expect while at college.
“The standard of the golf team looks very strong at the moment.
“And with the current freshman and recent recruitment I think it’s only going to get stronger.
“Playing against some of the top teams is only going to inspire me to play better golf.”
Andrew becomes the second Muckhart member in a matter of weeks to make the decision to jet off to America.
Friend Jamie Roberts is also heading across the Atlantic after bagging a scholarship at Colorado State UniversityPueblo.
“Muckhart has been a great help with my junior golf,” Andrew said. “Their junior section keeps growing year on year which is great to see.
“And it’s also good to see so many young players go along to the sessions.
“Perth and Kinross have been very helpful with my development, whether it be training days in the winter or team matches through the summer.
“Everyone within the county is very supportive of the juniors and it was great to be called up to the men’s squad for the area team championships.”
Hard work out on the course has continued for Andrew during the winter months and his schedule is hotting up in the coming weeks.
“I’m heading off to Cyprus in February to compete in the Cyprus Boys’ Championship,” he said.
“This will be a great week away to get some warm weather training in and get my game sharp and ready for a busy season of travelling and playing.
“I’ve been hard at work at the range at St Andrews and Gleneagles most days, working on a few things with my coach Fintan Bonner and also playing some pressurised games to keep practice interesting. Andrew signs up with Southern Illinois University
“I’m looking to have a successful college career and help Southern Illinois University become one of the top teams.
“And, as with any aspiring golfer, I will look to turn pro.”
Southern Illinois University golf coach
Justin Fetcho was delighted to secure Andrew’s signature.
He said: “Andrew possesses all the characteristics we look for in a member of our programme. We’re excited to welcome him to the Saluki family.”