Golf pro Neil Fenwick has a unique and increasingly valuable trophy in his cabinet after a dramatic climax to a prestigious tournament over three of Scotland’s finest links courses.
Neil, from Dunbar Golf Club, was tied with Jamie McLeary and Lloyd Saltman on -9 as leading professionals at the end of the three-day Highland Golf Links Pro Am sponsored by Tomatin which was held this week at Castle Stuart Golf Links, The Nairn Golf Club and Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
But due to a better score at Castle Stuart, Neil picked up the sponsor’s additional prize of a collectors’ item bottle of Tomatin 50-year-old single malt which was bottled exclusively for the event and currently valued at more than £10,000.
Neil, who has won the event twice previously, said: “I’m delighted with the win in one of my favourite events. The courses were fantastic and its great to have Tomatin return as the headline sponsor.”
He said the prize will be passed to his three-year-old son Louie, as an investment.
The winning team for the week was East Herts A Team made up of David Warburton, Michael Benjamin, Gavin McFadyen and pro Daniel Field.
Tomatin, who returned as headline sponsors this year, also provided each amateur player with an exclusive bottle of 16-year-old single malt from a commemorative cask.
More than 50 teams from across the UK, as well as from Europe and the USA, took part in the annual event which is one of the richest on the PGA in Scotland Tour.
Amateur players included BBC journalist and broadcaster Naga Munchetty, Sky Sports reporter Sarah Stirk and talkSPORT radio host Georgie Bingham.
PGA professional and BBC golf reporter Alan Tait, the MC for the prizegiving, captained the Castle Stuart team which also featured BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter.
The event also attracted new corporate partners in TaylorMade, Black Isle Brewery and clothing manufacturer Private Estate. Other sponsors included the Kingsmills Hotel and Culloden House in Inverness, and PR and communications company Quatro.
A total of £1,300 was raised at the prizegiving dinner for Maggies Highland, which provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends, and Birchwood Highland, which supports people experiencing mental ill health to build self-confidence and adopt lifestyles that improve their health and well-being.
Stephen Bremner, Managing Director at Tomatin, said: “We are delighted with the success of this year’s Pro Am. It was great to be back as headline sponsor and everyone enjoyed three days of quality golf over three of the best links courses.
“Well done to our winner, Neil. It is the first time we have donated this unique prize which is something special to take home.”
Event organiser Stuart McColm, General Manager at Castle Stuart Golf Links, said: “The Pro Am was the biggest golf event in the Highlands this year and we are extremely happy it remains as popular as ever with both professional and amateur players.
“Hearty congratulation to Neil on his third win in this prestigious tournament.
“A big Thank You to Tomatin, our other sponsors, the PGA in Scotland and all those who took part for making it such a successful occasion.
“It’s also very pleasing to have raised so much for two such deserving charities.”
A number of teams from both home and abroad have already signed up for next year’s event, which will be held from 5-7 October 2020.
To learn more about the Pro Am visit https://www.hglproam.com