Sandy Lyle Set To Take ‘Goliath’ Strides With New Manager Gordon Sherry.

Double Major winning Sandy Lyle looks set to take ‘Goliath’ strides in the Seniors game singing on new manager, Gordon Sherry.

Sherry, 40 has hung his clubs and formed a new management company ‘Goliath Sports Management’ and with his first client the 56-year old Balquhidder-born Lyle.

Kilmarnock born Sherry joked:  “We’ve got Goliath and all we need now is a David”.

The six foot eight inch giant had burst onto the golf scene in capturing the 1995 Amateur Championship and with Sherry then finishing fourth a few weeks later in the Scottish Open at Carnoustie.

There was then that now iconic photograph of Sherry taken with golfing legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson during a practice round at St. Andrews for the 1995 Open Championship.

Gordon Sherry with Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson during the 1995 Open.

Gordon Sherry with Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson during the 1995 Open.

Sherry then made his only Masters appearance in 1996 and a year later captured the Mauritius Open before failing to obtain his European Tour card at the 2002 Tour School.

Sherry and Lyle’s first pro outing was on Sunday with Lyle contesting the Abu Dhabi Invitational Pro-Am at Yas Island Links.

“It’s fantastic to be working with Sandy as he’s such a great guy,” said Sherry.

“He was also my idol as a kid and I remember staying up to watch him win The Masters when I was 14 so I’m still living the dream by working with him now.

“We played golf together on Friday here at Yas Links and his game is still fantastic. He still has an appetite to do well and hopefully he can enjoy a good season this year on the Champions Tour. He’s going out to Florida for two weeks then is back for a month.”

Gordon Sherry with the 'Scotsman' Martin Dempster during Sunday's Abu Dhabi Invitational. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Gordon Sherry with the ‘Scotsman’ Martin Dempster during Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Invitational. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Lyle had split with Hambric Sports and made a decision to go with the untried Sherry after he was nearly snapped by Iain Stoddard’s Bounce Sports, and the team that manages Stephen Gallacher.

“I met Sandy last year after he had just left Hambric Sports and someone suggested I should give him a phone,” said Sherry.

“So I called his wife, Jolande and off we went. He’s not got a bad bone in his body and what has been interesting watching him out here is that he can’t do enough for the people he’s been playing with.

“I’m looking to build up a stable of players but I will be doing it slowly rather than rushing into things. I know from personal experience that you want to be able to deliver for a player. I don’t want to go out and recruit a whole load of guys then not be able to deliver for them. There’s no point in that.

“I’ve also had good advice. Padraig Harrington, for instance, has given me some great advice, as did Bob Torrance before he sadly passed away. I’m still pals with Stevie Gallacher so I’m quite lucky in that respect.

“So I’ve got a lot of good connections who can keep me right to ensure I’m going about things the right way.”

Lyle, who is also a winner of 27 other events around the globe, believes Sherry can bring strong corporate connections to their business partnership.

“I was looking for someone who has strong corporate connections rather than the focus being on equipment and stuff like that,” said Lyle.

“Gordon was involved in the Eden Club in Fife, for example, and that has some very high-end members.

“I’ve been a little disappointed how I’ve done on the Champions Tour over the past few seasons but there’s still a little buzz about heading into a new campaign and hopefully this is the year when I can pull everything together.”



Comments are closed.