Long-serving greenkeeper Tam Sutherland has been rewarded for 29 years’ loyal service at his golf club by having a bridge named in his honour to mark his retirement.
The Westerwood Hotel and Golf Resort in Cumbernauld, near Glasgow – a member of QHotels, the UK’s largest golf resort operator – has paid a lasting tribute to Tam by calling its dry stone wall bridge on the 18th hole of its golf course ‘The Tam Sutherland Bridge’.
The 68-year-old has been in charge of the greenkeeping team at The Westerwood since it opened in 1986 before deciding to call time on his career at the start of this month.
Situated close to the 18th green, a plaque on the bridge reads: ‘This bridge honours the hard work and dedication Tam has shown to the course during his 29-year tenure. Thank you, Tam, from your colleagues, friends and current and past members’.
Tam said: “The Westerwood has been a major part of my life for almost 30 years and I’m sad to leave. But I decided now was the right time to hang up my greenkeeping gloves and I’m very touched that a bridge has been built and named in my honour.”
Paul Bray, general manager at The Westerwood Hotel and Golf Resort, said: “Everyone at The Westerwood knows Tam and his face is well known to all our members.
“As someone who has been here since the resort opened, we wanted to do something special to mark his outstanding contribution and the bridge will be a long-standing tribute to the dedicated service he has given for nearly three decades.”
Tam and his team have looked after the Westerwood course on behalf of thousands of members over the years, and new members can now trial a winter membership at the resort from just £150.
Available from November 1 until the end of March, the membership offers a range of attractive benefits including seven-day access to the course, discounts of 20 per cent on food and drink, 10 per cent savings on shop purchases and tuition and exclusive member events.
The Westerwood, one of 11 QHotels golf resorts, is situated in acres of spectacular grounds, with a golf course co-designed by one of the world’s greatest golfers: Severiano Ballesteros. Working with the equally revered golf designer Dave Thomas, the legendary Spaniard created a course that is as challenging as it is beautiful, as it meanders through silver birches, firs and heather, offering stunning views towards the picturesque Campsie Hills.
The signature hole, the par-three 15th – created by Ballesteros and known as the Waterfall hole – requires a tee-shot from an elevated tee to a green surrounded by a 60ft rock face. It’s not for the faint hearted and nor are the undulating moorland greens which test one’s mettle when standing over those nervy four-foot putts.
QHotels www.QHotels.co.uk
View more stories about People in the business and latest list of Most-read stories