Tiger Woods has been presented with a new book which celebrates his father’s special place in the history of a Tayside golf club.
The sporting superstar has roared into Courier Country to compete at the 147th Open, delighting golf fans as he plays his practice rounds.
His arrival was particularly eagerly anticipated by members of the Dalhousie Golf Club at Carnoustie, who have passed on a copy of the book they have published to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its inauguration in 1868.
It includes a story about Tiger Woods’ father Earl, which has been described as “a key item in the book on Dalhousie’s fascinating history”.
Club captain Donald Ford said: “Tiger Woods was the US Amateur champion when he first came to Carnoustie for the Scottish Open in 1995.
“His father Earl, accompanied him to Carnoustie, and one of Dalhousie’s most devoted Captains, John Lindquist, was enjoying a rest in the bar of the clubhouse which then overlooked the 18th green.
“John had put in a power of work, and was enjoying a rest and a pint of beer, when Earl Smith spotted him, and asked what the significance of the badge that John was wearing.
“John explained that it indicated that he was the Captain of the Dalhousie Golf Club, and without delay, Mr Woods asked if John would be kind enough to give him his autograph.
“One can only wonder now, after 20 years of dominance in golf by his son, whether Tiger still cherishes John’s signature in the memorabilia left to him by his father,” Donald added.
The club was founded after a growing number of players recognised the enormous potential of the area’s broad, undulating links and, after several exploratory meetings, they went ahead with the creation of their own club.
The course initially provided a 10-hole round, but by 1872, Old Tom Morris was summoned from St Andrews to improve the layout, as well as expanding it to an 18-hole course.
The book costs £25 plus postage and packing, and is available from Dalhousie Golf Club, Carnoustie Golf Hotel, Carnoustie.
