Golf legends drop in to help Bothwell Castle celebrate centenary year

Three major champions and one of Scotland’s leading golfers helped Bothwell Castle Golf Club celebrate their centenary year with a match to remember.

More than 300 members and guests saw Sandy Lyle edge out Paul Lawrie, Ian Woosnam and Stephen Gallagher in a Major Champions exhibition showdown on Sunday, September 11.

It was part of a day of festivities at the Lanarkshire club, which sits on the original site where it was founded by a group of locals in 1922, and came after Bothwell Castle Golf Club had opened their new Centenary Room.

A state-of-the-art indoor trackman practice facility offers a fully immersive experience for professional and amateur players.

That saw 1991 US Masters champion Woosnam come inches away from a hole-in-one after hitting a sumptuous eight-iron down the intimidating 153-yard par three 17th at Medinah.

Out on the course, an upbeat Woosnam, 64, maintained his fine form in a coaching clinic that followed, hitting fairway after fairway with impressive accuracy from the tee box.

All the professionals offered tips and insights in a relaxed, fun-filled atmosphere.

Afterwards, referee for the day and two-time leader of The Open, Bill Longmuir, got the players onto the first tee for a skins match, where holes nine and 18 were worth double, and a chip-off would take place if the scores were tied.

The course was in excellent condition, and a credit to head greenkeeper Stewart Carbray and his team.

After the first eight holes, Woosnam and 1999 Open champion Lawrie, 53, had secured a skin each.

Lyle, who triumphed at the 1985 Open and 1988 US Masters, swooped in at the ninth for a birdie to take eight skins and a healthy lead.

The 64-year-old then prevailed down the back nine.

Five skins were on the line at the 18th, and was halved in birdie, which was a frequent occurrence throughout the match.

That led to a chip-off, a tricky 15-yard flop shot on the 18th over a bunker, landing on an extreme downslope.

Lyle excelled, putting his flop masterfully to four feet and securing the last five skins to total 14 for the match.

Lawrie was second with three skins, while Gallagher, 47, and Woosnam scored two and one skins each.

Club captain for the year Ronnie Close said: “It was a wonderful day to celebrate our centenary year.

“We’re grateful to the players for giving up their time to come along and put on such a great show for all the members.

“I’m sure it’s a day that will live long in the memory and we’re looking forward to the next 100 years.”

Centenary Committee chairman, Martin Dickson added: “The event was a long time in the planning, and we are so grateful for all our volunteers who helped on the day and for the many members who came out to watch.

“It really was an amazing way to mark such an important milestone in the history of our club.”

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