KEVIN McALPINE SCORES FIRST WIN AS A PRO IN FLORIDA

E-Mail from Kevin McAlpine,
in Florida 

(Former Scottish amateur match-play and stroke-play champion from Alyth)

I am living in Naples, Florida again for the winter. I came over mid-October and have been working as a caddy at The Old Collier Golf Club. This is my second season here and its a great place to be at this time of year as it allows me to make some money and play more golf than I would be able to do back home.

We are at a very busy time of the season and I have not played much of late. I have, however, played three events in my time here and I'm very pleased to say that i had my first victory as a professional about a month ago.

My first event here was on the West Florida Golf Tour about two months ago where I finished a respectable 10th. My win came at a small pro-am event with local (older pros) and one Nationwide Tour player at Quail Creek golf course in Naples where i shot 67 (-5) to win by two shots.
I followed that up with a win at Old Collier in the Member/Pro two-day event two weeks ago with scores of 72 (level par) and 65 (-7). My 65 was rather unconventional with two bogeys in the first three holes, then a run of eagle, par and six birdies in a row to finish! 

I ended up winning by four shots from former US am champ and current Champions (Seniors) Tour player John Harris. Peter Jacobsen, who is a member at Old Collier, was one shot further back and Bobby Clampett one behind him. Former US PGA Tour player and Golf Channel correspondant Mark Lye was also in the field.

I finished second in the same event last year which was won by current US PGA tour player Jason Kokrak and one of Scotland's current European Tour players, George Murray.
Although these were small competitions I have learned so much from how i played and taken many positives from scores I posted. More than anything i believe it has given me some of my confidence back which seemed to have vanished over the last three years! 

I now have my sights set on playing the Canadian Tour this year and am waiting on the schedule being finalised next week before making any definite plans. 

I regularly check the golf news from back home via http://www.scottishgolfview.com/. Keep up the good work!

Regards

Kevin McAlpine

+If, like the Editor, you have lost touch with Kevin, E-mail Colin@scottishgolfview.com and I'll send you his E-mail address.