Graham Gordon is excited to be starting the new year in his role at Newmachar Golf Club, with the venue set to stage their third successive European Challenge Tour event.
Former Scottish Amateur champion Graham, 43, has returned to the Aberdeenshire club – where he had a glittering early career – to co-ordinate golf operations.
Graham, who first joined Newmachar as a junior in 1992, said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my settling-in period.
“I believe Newmachar is one of the best facilities in Scotland and working towards growing this very much motivates me.
“Golf has always been my passion from a young age and I’m relishing the opportunity to work in the industry again.
“I consider myself a people person, highly approachable and keen to succeed in everything I do.
“Newmachar general manager Derek Cruickshank shares that mutual passion with me to elevate Newmachar Golf Club to an elite level.
“When I was interviewed for the role, it was clear that as a team we could achieve some great things.
“Derek was the general manager at Craibstone and has with a wealth of experience, knowledge, and strong feelings for the game of golf.
“In 2022 and 2023, Newmachar hosted the Paul Lawrie Farmfoods Scottish Challenge Tour event with great success.
“We’re delighted that are staging it for a third time this year from August 8-11.
“It adds to the club’s growing reputation, not only locally, but on the international stage.
“The course and club has handled these events with the professionalism that is expected from the tour, and Sky Sports covered the event nationally.
“Our members were incredibly supportive and there has been an abundance of volunteers for the week.”
Graham Gordon: A competitive golf career wrecked by back problems
Graham Gordon has gone back to his roots at Newmachar Golf Club, where he spent many successful seasons in his earlier years.
As an amateur, Graham played for Scotland, and Great Britain and Ireland.
Graham won 10 Scottish ranking events over a three-year period and also won the Scottish Order of Merit in 2002.
Before turning professional two years later, Graham clinched the Scottish Amateur Championship and played in the winning Great Britain and Ireland team which beat the United States in the 2003 Walker Cup.
Graham went though all three stages of European Tour Qualifying School in the same year, but narrowly missed earning a tour card by two shots over the six gruelling rounds (108 holes) in the grand final in northern Spain.
Graham later played in some European Tour and Challenge Tour events, but back issues led to a medical exemption of 12 months so he could receive some medical treatment, including physiotherapy and injections.
However, none of these treatments were successful and it led to Graham’s eventual retirement from the professional ranks in 2011, before went through back surgery in 2012.
There were some signs of improvement following surgery and subsequent physio, and Graham was re-instated as an amateur and competed in SGU events again.
He gained selection for the Scotland squad and finished runner-up in The Leven Golf Medal in 2012, sixth in the Lytham Trophy and spent a month in South Africa in February 2013 competing against the South African team at Leopard Creek.
Graham also finished sixth in the 2013 South African Northern Amateur.
Unfortunately, recurring back pain then meant Graham had to stop playing once again.
Graham moved into the motor trade in 2014 and worked in various roles within the industry, before starting work in his latest position at Newmachar.
Talking up his new employers’ offering to prospective members, Graham said: “We are one of the few clubs which runs a 12-month rolling membership, from the date joined, and we have some attractive packages for new members, golf outings and corporate membership in 2024.
“We also offer winter membership packages and the public can also take advantage of pay as you play.
“The Hawkshill and Swailend courses give the opportunity to enjoy 36 holes, while we are already fortunate to have the experience of two top-class coaches in Lee Vannet and Ronnie McDonald.”
Journal/Jaffrey Cup details for 2024 announced
The North-east District Golf Association have announced this year’s Journal Cup will be held at Inverurie on Saturday, June 15.
The four best individual scores at the event will then qualify to play in the semi-finals of the Jaffrey Cup on Sunday, June 16.
Nigg Bay ended a 44-year wait to lift the Journal Cup last year when Tyler Ogston, Ryan Forbes and Zac Wood beat a 16-team field at Peterculter with a two-round aggregate of 427.
Greg Ingram took the Jaffrey Cup back to Hazlehead after defeating Tyler by 5&3 in the semis and Ryan by 4&3 in the final.
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