Jacobi gets his wish at Glencruitten Pro-Am

The 2022 Iain Forgrieve Memorial Pro-Am, featuring professional golfers from the PGA of Scotland, took place at Glencruitten Golf Club on Friday August 5 and Saturday August 6.

 

The format for the Friday is four balls made up of two pairings, each with one amateur and one professional. The wind was gusty with the course proving to be a tough challenge for the visitors.

 

The featured pairings of day one was the local derby match of DP World Tour star Bob MacIntyre with friend and former local lad Iain Macnab, now of Trump Turnberry, along with their amateurs Shaun Sinclair and Robert Irvine.

 

It was Craig Lee, however, who took the lead with an impressive two under par, one stroke ahead of Paul O’Hara and five ahead of MacIntyre.

 

The amateur winners on day one were recipients of fantastic prizes, courtesy of Taylormade. First place went to Peter Macdougall who won a new Stealth driver. Second place on the count back went to Dene Cassells, who won a Taylormade Spider putter with third place and a Taylormade golf bag going to David Devine.

 

David Devine also won a nearest the pin prize, along with Scott Jordan and Stephen Fox.

 

"attachment_762634" "" "300"] Eight-year-old Jacobi Whyte from Fraserburgh signs his ball for Bob MacIntyre at the Iain Forgrieve Memorial Pro Am. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.

 

Day two belonged to eight-year-old Jacobi Whyte, who has Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). He teamed up with Bob MacIntyre, Jacobi’s Dad Nathan and club captain Charles Spreadbury.

 

The format for day two was three amateurs teaming up with one professional in a better ball scoring system. Bob was delighted to have Jacobi assisting with reading putts, which resulted in the pro shooting the best score of the weekend, four under.

 

Jacobi wasn’t done there as he made par on the tricky third hole, striking an eight iron to within six feet of the pin, followed by an impressive putt before hitting a driver to within four feet of the pin on the par three fifth hole, which was enough to secure him the nearest the pin prize.

 

"attachment_762631" "" "300"] Winner Paul O'Hara, North Lanarkshire Leisure Limited, with club captain Charles Spreadbury and his partner Hazel Kelso. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.

 

The professionals found day two challenging, with winds causing two and three club differences in a lot of places. Paul O’Hara was the eventual winner with a final score of three under par and was presented with the Iain Forgrieve Memorial Trophy and a bottle of Oban whisky.

 

"attachment_762625" "" "300"] Winners of the team event, Kenny's Kinky Allstars, with club captain Charles Spreadbury, third right, and his partner Hazel Kelso. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.

 

The prizes on offer for the amateurs were fantastic. The winners were Kenny’s Kinky Allstars, who each walked away with a new Powakaddy electric trolley.

 

Second and third place, The Royal Hotel and the GerTics, received a push trolley and golf cart bag, courtesy of Druids golf. Fourth place was won by Esplanade Apartments who each received a Taylormade putter.

 

Fifth place was was won by the star team of the day, Jacobi’s Wish, who all received a Taylormade golf bag.

 

All the professionals with winning teams each received a bottle of Oban malt whisky. Bob donated his to Team USA, a group led by Ryan Brennan, from Napa Valley, USA, who come to Glencruitten every year to enjoy the golf.

 

A raffle followed the official presentation and there was an auction for amazing four balls at various courses, thanks to Iain Macnab. The night finished with great music by Eriskay Lilt.

 

Event organiser Calum Fox said: 'The weekend seems to have gone down well with everyone who attended and thankfully the weather held out.

 

'I congratulate the greens staff, led by Dougie MacIntyre, and commend the PGA and their players who are a credit to Scottish golf. Not only were they complimentary of the course, they treated every amateur player like a team mate and ensured a unique experience.

 

'Although he is commonly talked about for his contributions to the golf club and its members, huge credit must go to Bob and his management team, Bounce Sports Management led by Iain Stoddart, who secured amazing sponsorship and prizes.

 

'To everyone who gave up their time to contribute to the event, we appreciate each and every one of you.'

 

Photographs

 

NO_T32_GlencruittenGC_ProAm2022_01: Jacobi's Wish Team who were fifth overall. Jacobi Whyte, front, won nearest the pin on the fifth hole. Back row, from left: Nathan Whyte, Bob MacIntyre and Charles Spreadbury. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.

 

NO_T32_GlencruittenGC_ProAm2022_03: Winners of the team event, Kenny's Kinky Allstars, with club captain Charles Spreadbury, third right, and his partner Hazel Kelso. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.

 

NO_T32_GlencruittenGC_ProAm2022_04: Winner Paul O'Hara, North Lanarkshire Leisure Limited, with club captain Charles Spreadbury and his partner Hazel Kelso. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.

 

NO_T32_GlencruittenGC_ProAm2022_05: Eight-year-old Jacobi Whyte from Fraserburgh signs his ball for Bob MacIntyre at the Iain Forgrieve Memorial Pro Am. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.