ALAN TAIT
ALAN'S STORY
Alan Tait first picked up a club at 5 years old. His love for the game was evident from this very early age and it was always his dream to pursue a career from golf. By the time he was 17 he was playing off plus 2 and in 1986 he won The Scottish Boys at Dunbar, before going on to win The Doug Sanders European and World Junior Championships in the same year. During his amateur career he represented Scotland and Great Britain and Ireland and became only the 5th player in Scottish Golf history to be capped at boys, youths and senior levels in the same year. In 1989 he narrowly missed out on winning the National title when he was beaten on the last green by his great friend Alan Thomson in a fantastic 36 hole final at Lossiemouth.
Alan turned professional in 1990 and enjoyed 4 years at Cawder Golf Club in Glasgow where he completed his PGA training under the watchful eye of former PGA Captain Ken Stevely. In 1996, Alan capped off a brilliant year playing on The PGA Scottish Tartan Tour circuit. He won numerous pro ams as well as the Scottish Assistants Championship and also won the Scottish PGA Matchplay Championship, all of this resulting in him topping the region’s order of meritHe finished the year off by gaining his European Tour Card at San Roque and Sotogrande in Spain, for the 1997 season.
He is probably best known for being the first player ever to shoot 64 (8 under par) round the Championship Course at Carnoustie in 1994, at The Daily Express 72 Hole Pro Am Championship. This record stood for 23 years until none other than Englishman and Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood went one better in The 2017 Dunhill Links. In light of his course record, the following year back at Carnoustie in The Bells Scottish Open, Alan was asked by the then Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw and a certain Tiger Woods if he would like to join them for a practice round before the tournament! Alan duly accepted and the experience is certainly one he will never forget.
Although success was hard to find on the European Tour Alan looks back at his experience with fond memories. He reminisces about the tour in his very popular after dinner routine and his stories about that famous day he played with Ben and Tiger are not to be missed. He enjoys working for BBC Radio Scotland, commentating at events such as The Open, Scottish Open, Ryder and Solheim Cups.
In 1999, Alan took the decision to move in to golf management and spent the next 6 years as Golf Operations Manager at The Westerwood Hotel near Glasgow, and helped re-build the brand under The Morton Hotel Group, where he was awarded “Manager of the Year” on 2 occasions. He then went on and had similar roles at The Carrick on Loch Lomond and Spey Valley in the Highlands of Scotland. Latterly he had 9 great years as Director of Golf at The Dalmahoy Hotel Golf and Country Club in Edinburgh, working for Marriott International. From there he secured his first General Manager role, when he made the short journey from Edinburgh to Livingston, to join the Deer Park Golf & Country Club.
Currently Alan is Director of Golf Operations for Scotland and Ireland working for GolPhin. GolPhin is a company focused on growing the game from grass roots through their education programme, MyPathway2Golf coaching initiative and also their award winning equipment, designed for 3 year olds to early teenagers. See more at www.golphin.com
Although he now lives in Edinburgh, Alan hails from Irvine in Ayrshire and is extremely proud to be a Life Honorary Member of The Irvine Golf Club (Bogside).
AFTER DINNER SPEAKING
What to expect
Alan is a very accomplished and sought after speaker on the golf after dinner circuit. Golf speakers are hard to come by and Alan's 40-45 minute routine looks back at his career in a self critical and humorous manner.
He has performed at many venues around the UK and in 2013 was even flown out to South Africa to host a corporate golf day and then entertain the clients later that evening.
His routine suits all golf audiences including mixed and "ladies only" events.
He is ideal for prizegivings, charity events, corporate golf days and is also happy to act as MC or assist with auctions and presentation of prizes etc.
BOOKING ENQUIRIES
Contact Alan
Mobile: 07734 207119
Email:
MEDIA
Alan has had the privilege of working for BBC Radio Scotland at both The Open and Scottish Championships as an on course commentator. He describes the experience inside the ropes as "the next best thing to competing yourself". He was lucky enough to be reporting on the last group at St Andrews in 2010 when Luis Oosthuizen won The Open Championship. His highlight though was a bitter sweet moment when the previous year Tom Watson had a 6 foot putt to win The Open at Turnberry at aged 59. Sadly he missed and eventually lost out in a 4 hole play off to fellow American Stewart Cink. Being one of his all time heroes, Alan was understandably emotional but described it as an absolute honour to be there on the possible brink of history being made. He believes if Watson had won, it would have been the greatest ever “sporting” moment of all time.
Alan also co-hosted "The Golf Show". A live 30 minute programme that was aired on BBC Radio Scotland for 5 years on a Sunday morning. The programme was hugely popular with interviews and chat from some of the biggest names in golf. Initially he hosted The Golf Show with TV sports pundit Rob Maclean and then latterly, journalist and broadcaster Graham Spiers. The show averaged 15,000 listeners per week and it's hoped it will make a comeback at some point in the future.
CHARITY INVOLVEMENT
ALAN'S FAVOURITE COURSES
Not surprisingly Alan has played most courses in Scotland and he has his favourites for many different reasons. Below is a snapshot of his famous five;
Can only describe it as heaven on earth. Set in stunning scenery in the beautiful highlands of Scotland, a tough but "fair" course awaits. Feel very lucky to play in the annual pro am every September with my great friend Bill Belleville from New York, and his guests. The ultimate golfing experience with some of the best staff you’ll find world over
Skibo Castle, nr Dornoch
Again based in the highlands amongst some of the best scenery on the banks of the Moray Firth, it truly is a joy to play. Although a relatively new course it feels as if it's been around for many years. Previous host to 3 Scottish Opens with Phil Mickelson and Luke Donald amongst former winners
Caste Stuart, nr Inverness
An obvious choice that is perhaps on many people's lists. Situated just outside the famous town of St Andrews and attracts golfers from all over the globe every year. A true links experience and the breathtaking par 3 15th hole is not for the faint hearted, as the green is situated in the middle of the North Sea!
Kingsbarns, St Andrews
An emotional choice from the heart as this is where it all really started. A fantastic inland links course which has hosted many top amateur events for ladies and gents. Has also been a final qualifying course for when The Open was at both Troon and Turnberry. A real mixture of different holes and the heather needs to be avoided! A warm friendly welcome awaits from the members and staff. Very proud to be a life honorary member of this great club
Irvine Golf Club (Bogside), Irvine
A great fun course on the south west coast of Scotland. The signature hole is the fabulous driveable 13th hole where you tee off from a clifftop teeing area and head downhill to a small sloping green. The course sits next to the North Channel which on a clear day boasts stunning views across to Ireland. Make it a weekend break and stay in The Crown Hotel or The Harbour House Hotel in the wonderful nearby coastal village of Portpatrick
Portpatrick Golf Club, Portpatrick
BUNKER-MENTALITY
Bunker-Mentality kindly supply Alan with fashionable golf apparel for all occasions.
"DEVOTED TO GOLF, DEDICATED TO STYLE"
CONTACT ME
07734 207119
