Hugh Ross
THIS week reporter David Hepburn talks to Hugh Ross who took part in the recent Fightmaster Cup - a Ryder Cup style golf tournament for one-armed golfers.
Hugh (62) is retired and lives in Torrance with wife Doris. They have two grown-up children.
How did the Fightmaster Cup come about?
This is the inaugural event. It's named after Don Fightmaster who came over from America to take part in the Society of One-Armed Golfer's Championship and was a real larger-than-life character. The association has been around since 1932 and we organise championship tournaments which golfers come from all over the world to take part in.
The US section this year challenged us to the match which will be over three days with two ball foresomes, foresomes and 12 singles matches on the last day. It will be the same format as the Ryder cup and will take place near (Ryder cup venue) Valhalla, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Where do you play your golf?
I used to be a member of Campsie Gold Club and was on their committee for a long time but about 13 years ago I moved to Cawder Golf Course as I thought the change would be good for my game. The club have been great and I'm quite amazed by the interest and kindness shown by everybody. I am part of a group of golfers called the Bandits who have been very supportive and encouraging. They wanted to mark my selection for the team in some way so they presented me with a painting of the 18th hole at Cawder where I was lucky enough to once have had a hole in one.
How were you selected for the competition?
I'm one of the older competitors and was picked because of my consistency and reliability. Our championship consists of two qualifying rounds which I got through - I had a hiccup in the next round and missed automatic qualification, but I was one of the captain's picks.
When did you become interested in golf?
I was in St Andrews when I first became interested in the game in the early 80s and my wife bought me a surprise golf lesson. Since then I've won the
Scottish championship several times including a couple of years ago at the Eden Course at St Andrews.
How did you get involved in the Society of One-armed golfers?
I was born without an arm and have lived a very normal uneventful life really. I ride a bike, drive a car, climb Munros and worked for over 40 years.
I was made aware of the society when I met a doctor in Stirling who had lost an arm in the war. He was a real character who had trained two Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs to pull his clubs around the course. He introduced me to the society and from then I started to play towards a handicap.
The society arranges golf tournaments to show that sport can be used to achieve a better quality of life. We are sponsored by the Royal and Ancient Club and play to all the same rules except that all shots must be played using one arm - we're not assisted in any way.
Are you nervous about taking on the Americans on their own soil?
No more so than I would be taking part in any major tournament. Everyone wants to do well but taking part is almost more important than winning. It's the inaugural event and it's a great honour to be playing in it. We're hoping it will be a regular event although that will really depend on the support we are able to get. Hopefully the next tie will be near Celtic Manor, in Wales, where the next Ryder Cup is being played.
Getting to know you
First record: Buddy Holly
First car: Standard 8
Book currently reading: a book by Philippa Gregory
Favourite holiday destination: Portugal
Famous person would most like to meet: Winston Churchill
TV programme: Documentaries
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
