Alan Tait’s ‘Cinderella story’ as tour organiser secures victory at Dumbarnie Links

The eight regional winners of the previous events met up at the weekend to play for top spot at the closing event on the tour for 2020.

Tait (51), was the oldest man in the field by 12 years and was up against seven virtually much full time golfers.

But he showed his class and won the event by one with a -3 under par 69.

“It’s not often ‘ole Taiters’ is speechless but I genuinely am - it’s a bit of a Cinderella story”, Tait said.

“I went to Dumbarnie in the hope of having a respectful score and not letting myself down playing with the younger guys.

“It was 40mph winds and if you had offered me a 74 or 75 before we teed off, I’d have bitten your hand off for it.”

Tait got off to a good start and was -2 after three holes.

He would go on to drop just one shot at the tough par four tenth hole.

“I realised with a few holes to go I had a chance of winning the grand final of the tour I set up, and the realisation kicked in,” he added.

“It was the first time in quite a while on a golf course I had the butterflies fluttering in my stomach, but I liked the feeling of being nervous again.

“To win on a golf course of that quality, in tough conditions against seven great players made me feel very proud.”

Tait set up the tour during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic spreading to allow elite amateurs and pros to compete in Scotland when it was safe again to do so.

Although believing it to be a one off, the tour has been so well received that it will return again next year for a full season.

“My aim is to make it bigger and better and to hopefully attract some sponsorship to help top up the prize-funds and to be able to give the clubs a little more money back, to thank them for hosting,” added Tait.

“I will however be keeping the entry fee to each event at an absolute minimum.”

The 8 events played so 462 players take part and over £12,000 was paid out in prize money.

“If I get a future Colin Montgomerie or Catriona Matthew coming through these events in the years to come, then nothing would give me more pleasure and would be job done,” added the organiser.