Golf: Alexander up for top award

GEORGE ALEXANDER, who has watched his beloved Carrickvale enjoy a trophy-laden few years, is in the running for a top award of his own.

The long-serving member of the Capital club is among the five nominees shortlisted for the inaugural Scottish Golf Volunteer of the Year Award.

The winner will be announced at the XOS Scottish Golf Awards in Glasgow on February 18 and Alexander is delighted to be in the frame.

"I was totally taken by surprise when I received a phone call from the Scottish Golf Union to tell me I had made the short list," he said.

"It is very nice and, no matter what happens, I am looking forward to going along to the awards night in Glasgow."

Alexander, who has been a member at Carrickvale for just over 40 years, served as match secretary for a lengthy spell.

He was "team manager" as the club pulled off a historic three wins in a row in the Edinburgh Evening News-sponsored Dispatch Trophy.

And, in the same role, he funded his own trip to Portugal last year to lead Carrickvale to sixth spot in the European Men's Club Trophy following their Scottish Club Championship victory at Fortrose & Rosemarkie earlier in the season.

"I think it was Allyn Dick and Dave Redmond who put me forward and just to make the top five is pretty good," he added.

"It has been a great few years for the club and, for me at least, it would be the icing on the cake if I won this award."

The SGU received a large number of entries after asking clubs for nominations from the 15,000 volunteers involved in Scottish golf and up against Alexander are Gael Carlier (Kintore), Frank Anderson (Palace- rigg), David Nathan (Isle of Seil) and Evan Sutherland (Reay).