WHERE ARE THEY NOW? No 7: Scottish schoolboys champion of 1999

Recognise the Scottish schoolboys champion of 1999 when the tournament was played at Troon Darley?
It's none other than 16-year-old Bearsden Academy pupil MARTIN LAIRD, writes Colin Farquharson (Colin@scottishgolfview.com).
Well, we all know what has happened to Martin in the best part of 11 years since then but I thought you would like to see him "before he became famous."
Just like Graeme McDowell claims that four years on the American college circuit at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, transformed him from a good golfer to one capable of winning a Major, so Martin Laird "graduated" in the school of golf through four years at Colorado State University.

He had won the Scottish youths championship at Letham Grange in 2003 and finished third behind Graham Gordon and David Inglis in the Tennant Cup tournament the same year.

Martin has won $5,095,351 in America since 2007. He broke the $1million barrier in winnings in the 2009 season with $1,349,354 and promptly raised the bar again in 2010 with earnings of $2,137,928.

Already this season, he has made $502,638 on the US Tour.

He's No 43 in the World Professional rankings and is the ninth longest driver on the American tour with an average tee shot of 301 yards. You can see him on the left with the swing of a man who hits the ball a long way.

Born in Glasgow on December 29, 1982, he is 28 years old.

FLASHBACK TO THE 2003 TENNANT CUP. Winner Graham Gordon is pictured holding the prestigious trophy. He won the 72-hole tournament with two rounds of 71 at Glasgow Gailes followed by scores of 65 and 67 at Killermont.

David Inglis, on left, was runner-up with 274 and that's Martin Laird, third with 276, on the right. Inglis is now assistant head coach at Luke Donald's alma mater, the Northwestern University, Chicago, whil Gordon's pro career has been blighted by illness. We hope to feature Graham's story in a future "Where are they now?" episode.

+Thanks to Glasgow Golf Club archivist Nevin McGhee for the details of the 2003 Tennant Cup.