George Paterson returns to Fortrose and

Rosemarkie

 

By ROBIN WILSON

Qualified and highly rated and respected golf course greenkeeper George Paterson, who for 30 years has left his mark on golf courses in Scotland and Ireland is returning next month to Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, where he first trained as a golf course greenkeeper.

Paterson is now 50 and after leaving Fortrose Academy in 1985 his first job was on the Fortrose course as an apprentice to the late George Hampton. When Hampton retired in 1991, the Fortrose club first saw Paterson's potential and gave him the head post.

Four years later and now married to local girl Anna Belshaw, along with young daughter Leah, the family left for Ireland and the challenge of the head greenkeeper post at County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point.

During the family's stay in Ireland it was completed with the birth of son Gregor in 1999 and then a move in 2002 back to the Scotscraig Golf Club where he was in charge of the Fife course when it was used as a final qualifying venue for the 2005 Open at st. Andrews.

A year later in 2006 the Paterson's got nearer to home and their starting point on the Black Isle with George's appointment as head man on the Moray Golf Club links at Lossiemouth.

Stepping back from a greenkeeping role in 2014, Paterson set up his own gardening and landscaping business in Fortrose a few years ago. But when the head post at his old club recently became vacant the lure back to the links was too much and the Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club have issued the following statement to its members.

"The club are pleased to announce the appointment of George Paterson as our new Head Greenkeeper. George will officially start work at the club on Monday, May 15.

"With over 30 years experience in the management of links golf both in Scotland and Ireland, he has invaluable experience in development strategies, team leadership, golf course infrastructure, golf course design, construction, irrigation instalments, irrigation upgrades and machinery/plant maintenance.

"We wish George the very best in his new role and we hope the members will support him going forward and of course welcome him to the Club when they see him on the course."