Sudden death of organiser Rob Macpherson at 

45 stuns world of university golf

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Scottish golf, and, in particular, university golf, is in mourning today for Dr Rob Macpherson who has died suddenly at his Dornoch home. He had only recently had his 45th birthday.

Macpherson, pictured, was more than the dedicated organiser of Scottish students' golf tournaments, he was the life blood, the motivator for the game at university level.

Rob was in his element at the annual Scottish students' championships for teams and individuals, male and female, held over the best part of a week at Moray Golf Club, Lossiemouth at the end of March, beginning of April every year.

He also organised monthly tournaments for students during the winter at various Scottish venues and had a role in the European and world students' championships..

Rob was honorary life president of Scottish Student Sport and commissioner of the European University Sports Association.

A lecturer at the University of the Highlands and Islands, Dr Macpherson was manager of Nairn Dunbar Golf Club for a spell. His parents, Fraser and Peggy, live in Nairn.

Dean Robertson, former Walker Cup player and winner of the Italian Open as a professional on the European Tour and now high performance coach at the University of Stirling, was in regular contact with Macpherson about students' golf.

Dean, pictured below, said: "I had been trying in vain to contact Rob  and was beginning to get worried about him so I called the Dornoch Hotel next door to where he lived in Dornoch on Tuesday night and they informed me that Rob had been found dead, slumped on stairs in his home, by the police.

"His family are absolutely devastated and his father, Fraser, can't speak. His mum Peggy told me that it would be a private funeral.
"Rob had a sister Alice, a brother in law Gordon, and nieces Iona (10) and Eilidh (9), both of whom he adored.
"Rob will be greatly missed and was loved by all. He had done so much for Scottish Student Sport, the British Universities and Colleges Sports Association and also the European University Sports Association. 

"He loved all his extended family in golf world too
"My thoughts are with him and his family at this time and I just hope he passed peacefully. Going to miss him so so much.

"Rob lived for student golf and was involved in so many levels from working with SSS, BUCS, EUSA and even the World University Games! 

"He was hugely intelligent and a historian like no other. He was larger than life in so many ways! University golf was his passion and love and all within were his extended family over the past three decades! 

"I am going to miss the big man so much and I am just so saddened by this news. To the best of my ability, I will continue with his passion and vision to drive forward the performance platform for university golf in the UK and Europe."

Civil engineer Fraser McKenna back with a 

bang to win at Troon Darley

FROM JOHN HENRY
Fraser McKenna won our Christmas Special event today at Troon Darley Golf Club,  sponsored by First Tee Fitness. 
This was Fraser's first game of golf since September when he started a new job working an average of 60 hours per week as a civil engineer. 

Fraser, pictured, shot a great score of two-under-par 69 in very windy conditions . Scott Borrowman was next best on 72 and third place on 74 was shared by Michael Paterson and Scottish professional champion and Order of Merit winner  Chris Kelly. 
We had a total of 15 guys playing today which was a great turn out for the time of year. 
Big Johnson's Tour would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Donald Trump rips Barack Obama for playing 'more golf last year than Tiger Woods'

• FROM THE AGE (Austrian)
• By Marissa Payne

US President Barack Obama tips his cap to a crowd of onlookers after hitting a long chip shot on the 18th hole during a round of golf at Mid-Pacific Country Club. Photo: AP
 

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump took a swing at President Barack Obama on Monday, insinuating that his penchant for golf has gotten in the way of his work schedule.
"It was reported today [Obama] played 250 rounds of golf and he's going to be in Hawaii, I think did they say for three weeks?" Trump said at a Monday night campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan (via Golf.com).
"Two hundred and fifty rounds, that's more than a guy who plays in the PGA Tour plays. He played more golf last year than Tiger Woods. We don't have time for this. We have to work."

Donald Trump owns many golf courses. Photo: Los Angeles Times

Trump, who owns 17 golf courses worldwide, continued: "I don't have time for that. I love golf, I think it's one of the greats, but I don't have time to play often."
It's unclear whether Trump's statement that Obama played more golf than Woods last year is true or not. It's likely, however, that a lot of golf aficionados played more rounds of golf than Woods over the last year, as the 39-year-old pro spent much of his time recovering from injury.
Not counting practice rounds, Woods played only 32 rounds on the US PGA Tour in the 2015 calendar year.
As for the 250 number, that's more aligned with the facts available. In August, the Washington Examiner reported Obama was nearing the 250 mark after wrapping up his 244th round while on vacation on Martha's Vineyard.
An important distinction to make, however, is that Obama has spread out his nearly 250 rounds of golf over the course of his seven years as president so far. 
Trump's statement makes it sound like Obama played 250 rounds just in the last year alone. Now, that really would be too time-consuming for a president to handle.
Obama, however, only hits the links while on vacation, which according to Politifact.com, isn't all that often.
Obama, who sank a nice chip shot Tuesday during a family trek to Hawaii, has taken less vacation time overall than his predecessor, George W. Bush.