US-based Scottish golf pro boosts Get Back to Golf Tour

Gary Weir coughs up £500 for event at Hayston, his old home club
Circuit founder Alan Tait, left, and Gary Weir, who has donated £500 to the prize pot for the latest 'Get Back to Golf' Tour event at HaystonCircuit founder Alan Tait, left, and Gary Weir, who has donated £500 to the prize pot for the latest 'Get Back to Golf' Tour event at Hayston
Circuit founder Alan Tait, left, and Gary Weir, who has donated £500 to the prize pot for the latest 'Get Back to Golf' Tour event at Hayston

An American-based Scottish professional has handed the ‘Get Back to Golf’ Tour a big boost by generously swelling the prize pot for the latest event.

Alan Tait, the circuit's founder, has revealed that Gary Weir, the instruction director at the prestigious Westchester County Club outside New York, is contributing an additional £500 to the overall fund up for grabs in the ongoing tournament at Hayston.

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Weir, who was recently voted one of the best coaches in the US, has been over in America for 20 years but cut his golfing teeth at Hayston as a junior.

"It has a special place in his heart," said Tait. "I know how much he misses Hayston and many of his friends who are still members there, and this is just his way of giving something back and not forgetting his roots.

"He didn’t want any credit for this, but tough! This is a fantastic gesture and there’s not many 'feel-good' stories about these days and I want to recognise this.

"So, on behalf of myself and all the guys taking part at Hayston, thank you so much Gary. Your kindness is greatly appreciated and for contributing your hard-earned cash."

Tait launched the ‘Get Back to Golf’ Tour in the summer to provide playing opportunities for Scottish golfers through until the middle of October, with events already having been held at Crail, Murrayshall, Montrose and Duddingston.

They have all been well supported and now the increased prize pot for the Hayston event, which finishes on Friday, has been welcomed by one of Scotland's top home-based pros.

"Amazing gesture," said Neil Fenwick, who plays on the PGA EuroPro Tour and won the latest event on the new Tartan Pro Tour at Pollok on Friday, of Weir's support. "Don’t know him personally, but this sort of help is greatly appreciated by all that play."

Amateur Connor McKinney won the event at Duddingston by four shots after carding a brilliant seven-under 65 at the Edinburgh venue.

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That came after another amateur, Matthew Clark, had tied for top spot with Craig Lawrie at Montrose, where both players shot six-under 65s.

Lawrie, son of former Open champion Paul, claimed the spot up for grabs in the Dumbarnie Links Final at the end of October on a countback.

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