Scotland boasts a remarkable seven players contesting this week’s PGA Championship including Texas-based ot Steven Young.
Young was born at Inverallochy near Fraserburgh and played in the same 1997 Walker Cup team as Justin Rose, and was the only played to win a Singles match the last day, and on a 6 to 18 point defeat.
He also contested the 1997 Open Championship, and in the year he turned pro, along with
the 1998 Open but missed the cut at Royal Troon with scores of 79 and 80 and then a year later at Royal Birkdale with rounds of 74 and 78.
Texas-based Scot Steven Young making his PGA Championship debut this week. (Photo – James Durbin)
In 1995 Young entered college before than competing on the PGA Tour secondary Nationwide Tour and also on the Hooters Tour but missing attaining full PGA Tour status by one shot at the final stage of Q-School.
The now 38-year old Young decided then to take work as a job as a club pro at Midland Country Club and started a family with his American wife Joni.
“I work a lot but I get to go home and see my kids,” said Young.
“That to me, you can’t put a price on that. The tour life is not as glamorous as you think.
There are guys, who even on the PGA Tour are traveling and eating by themselves, and checking into these fantastic hotels, by themselves.
“How good is something if you can’t enjoy it with someone you love? At times I think I could beat some of those guys but I know what they’re going through.”
Young qualified for his first US PGA at the PGA Professional National Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in June.
The biggest thing is having the kids and wife go with me,” Young said.
“The first Majors I played in I was a single guy and not yet married. To have the family go with me is going to be special. I’m excited for them, more than anything. And then my parents are flying over from Scotland too.
“Playing in front of people is something I’ve done before. I haven’t done it in a while. I hope I’m nervous. If I’m not then it doesn’t mean as much.”
Young has 14 holes-in-one in his career, one albatross and holds four course records with scores of 57. 58, 59 and 60
His last hole-in-one was during a July 8th practice round last month at Whistling Straits.
Joining Young is Martin Laird, Stephen Gallacher, Marc Warren, Richie Ramsay Russell Knox and Senior PGA champion Colin Montgomerie.
