Alistair Tait honoured to receive Gallacher Award

LEADERSHIP qualities have helped the junior coaching 
co-ordinator at one of Scotland’s get-up-and-go golf clubs land a prestigious prize.

Alistair Tait, left, receives his award from Nicolas Colsaerts. Picture: Getty

Alistair Tait, a Fortrose & Rosemarkie member, was presented with the Gallacher Award as the Golf Foundation honoured volunteers at grass-roots level during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Involved in coaching at the picturesque Black Isle club since 2005, Tait has been instrumental in the junior section rising from 94 to 131 last year, having secured funding to develop the practice facilities and set out a three-hole mini-course on the practice ground for the younger juniors.

He also purchased and fitted mirrors to a storage shed on the practice area as a teaching aid, and painted the three covered bays himself.

The club’s reputation led to a visit from the French Golf Federation to experience its methods and the club was the first without a PGA pro to be awarded the status of a Scottish Golf Development Centre.

“Teams need leaders and Fortrose and Rosemarkie’s junior programme has one of the best,” said Mike Round, chief executive of the Golf Foundation.

After being presented with his award by Ryder Cup player and 31-year-old Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, Tait said it was a “great honour”, not just for him personally but the club as a whole.

“All the members and our coaches are welcoming to the juniors and the club secretary Mike MacDonald should take great credit for this friendly approach,” he added.