East Renfrewshire Golf Club amateur Iain Wardlaw will be playing abroad for the first time after reaching the final of the St. James’s Place National Pro-Am Championship in Turkey.
Eight-handicapper Wardlaw teamed up with PGA Professional Gavin Hay to win the qualifying event held at Montrose Golf Links.
The pair totalled 43 points to edge out Gary Forbes and Douglas Munro of Murcar Golf Club.
Wardlaw and Hay will now line up in the final, which is being held on the PGA Sultan course at Antalya Golf Club, on November 29-30.
But they admitted it was a nervy finish for them after a confident start on the front nine. They were six under par at the turn, but the back nine was not as productive.
Hay said he was a bit ‘wild’ at times and that Wardlaw was the solid one. But Wardlaw, who has been playing for around 20 years, was quick to recognise his professional partner’s display.
“Gavin made five birdies and that’s what saw us through in the end,” he said. “The first eight holes were great for us, and we started to fade away a little bit.
“But I was there when Gavin wasn’t so we worked together well. It was a good team performance.”
Wardlaw, who works for a transport manufacturing company, said his travel bag prize was ideal for the forthcoming journey to Turkey.
“I haven’t played golf abroad before, so I’ll be using the bag for that,” he said. “It’s a great prize and one I really didn’t expect to get.
“You don’t go into these events thinking you’re going to win. But it was a great day.”
Wardlaw says he took a break from playing to raise a family, but then returned to the sport when he had more time.
Hay said this was the first time he had been involved in the competition.
“We were in control on the front nine, but we had a few blips after that,” he explained.
“I was a bit wild and lost a couple of balls, but Iain was very solid all the way through.”
CLICK HERE to view a full list of scores from the St. James’s Place National Pro-Am Championship at Montrose Golf Links.
CLICK HERE to find out more about St. James’s Place.
