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He was 11-years-old, cycling six miles with a bag of clubs slung over his back when he first became a junior member of Blairgowrie Golf Club.
Now, 70 years on, retired dairy farmer and former captain Tom Watson – no, not that Tom Watson – has been honoured by the Perthshire club, receiving a print of the striking Rosemount clubhouse viewed from the 18th fairway.
Club 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 and also 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.”
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Tom – who welcomed royalty, world leaders, international businessmen and stars of sport, stage and screen to Gleneagles for more than a decade as the starter on the King’s Course – still gets in four or five rounds a week.
“It was on May 16, 1948, that I cycled the quiet back road to Blairgowrie to first become a member,” he recalled.
“It was a beautiful golf course then and while there have been changes and additions down the years it still is a wonderful spot.
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“My uncle, James, was a member at Cathkin Braes and he came to stay with the family when my father was in charge of the dairy at Ballathie estate.
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“I recall him telling me ‘young man you have a fine golf course on your doorstep’ and he gave me a 10 shilling note to hand to the Blairgowrie professional. I was told never to let him down by not keeping my membership going. I would be heading to the golf course after early shifts at the dairy.
“I ’m glad to say I have been golfing ever since. I love playing at Blairgowrie and golf has been very good to me. It has been a huge part of my life and still gives me so much joy.”
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