Golf: Tom Buchanan swaps Duddy for the desert with Al Ain move

TOM BUCHANAN, a well-known figure on the Capital golf scene for nearly a decade, is swapping Duddingston for the desert.

He is heading out to the United Arab Emirates after landing a post as golf operations supervisor at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club.

“I took the winter off from Duddingston this year to seek employment abroad,” said Buchanan, a former Edinburgh & East of Scotland Alliance champion.

“I spent five weeks in California with former Duddingston assistant Tony Marshall. I had one interview there but sadly it never came to anything.

“After coming home, I got a phone call from Jonathon Porteous, the head pro at Craigielaw, who has worked in the UAE, saying that he had seen the Al Ain job advertised.

“I applied for it and received a call within two days. They offered me the job, two days later contracts were signed and the opportunity arrived.”

Al Ain, formerly known as The Palm Sports Resort, has an 18-hole golf course as well as a nine-hole academy course.

“It is an exciting challenge for me and I must say a huge thanks go to [Duddingston pro] Alastair McLean for his help and support that he has given me over the last eight years,” added Buchanan.

“There’s no doubt that I am a better professional thanks to him.”