I have been very honoured to know David Scott from the time I moved to Scotland near the commencemen of the new Millennium.
I had learnt after first meeting David he had represented Great Britain and Ireland in the 1990 PGA Cup Match against the American club professionals at Kiawah Island in South Carolina and was previously runner-up to Brian Barnes in the British Club Professional Championship.
While David also served as Captain of the Scottish PGA and is currently Vice Chairman of the Scottish Region.
He worked as an assistant professional at Blairgowrie and then accepting Head Professionals roles at Letham Grange Resort in Abroath and also the Head Professional role at Balbirnie Park on the outskirts of Glenrothes.
Though it was his 2002 appointment as General Manager at Kingsbarns Links, and just next door to where I was residing at Crail when I first met David.
Every since that first encourter I have enjoyed meeting David in his future positions including in mid 2008 when he took on the role as General Manager at the The Dukes course on the outskirts of St. Andrews while he moved into St. Andrews itself in 2014 to become Director of Operations at the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa.
I was Secretary of the Association of Golf Writers in 2015 when David arranged for the Association to host our annual dinner the week of The Open within the Old Course Hotel. David could not have done more in assisting the AGW in what was overwhelming enjoyable and highly successful evening.
And then five years ago this year I was delighted to shake David’s hand following the opening Dumbarnie Links and David acting as the club’s first General Manager.
So, it’s been a few decades now in getting to know David better and also visiting him at those places in and around St. Andews where he proudly worked. There was even the odd occasion I recall in bumping into David in the local Morrison’s store at the back of St. Andrews.
David Scott – the 89th Captain of The PGA
Of course, it was a proud David Scott back in 2023 when in visiting Dumbarnie Links he indicated he was to be honoured by The PGA as their 85th captain and now this week he is offically in the role and congratulations to him.
Not only can Scotland be proud but The Belfry-based PGA can be proud as David Scott will be wonderful new captain.
And thank you to The PGA for the following news on David’s appointment.
The 61-year-old from St Andrews succeeded Peter Laugher at the Association’s AGM on April 3, joining a celebrated and decorated list of Captains, including Sir Henry Cotton, Harry Vardon, JH Taylor, James Braid, Max Faulkner, Percy and Peter Alliss, and Bernard Gallacher.
That illustrious roll of honour also includes ‘Mr Golf’ Jim Farmer, the treasured PGA grandee who sadly passed away in November last year at the age of 76. As a fellow St Andrean, Scott regularly sought Farmer’s sage counsel throughout his own PGA career and is determined to build on his mentor’s revered legacy.
“Jim would have been exceptionally proud,” said Scott, who earned PGA Master Professional status in 2018. “After my wife, Jim was the first person I told about being invited to become the Captain back in 2023.
“I spoke at Jim’s memorial service earlier this year and reflected on the great impact he had on both The PGA and myself personally. Growing up as a young lad in St Andrews, he was just Mr Golf.
By his own admission, Scott was never a stand-out pupil in the classroom, but The PGA provided him with an eye-opening education when he began his apprenticeship at Blairgowrie in 1982. More than 40 years later, his drive, dedication and diligence have been rewarded with a fulfilling career and the crowning glory of The PGA captaincy.
“To represent 8,000 PGA members is almost tear-jerking. When I delivered my acceptance speech, I had a tissue in my pocket just in case.”
“From a young lad turning professional at 19, with a lack of confidence and not a great academic background, to now being The PGA Captain is a massive honour,” said the former Captain of The PGA in Scotland, who represented GB&I in the 1990 PGA Cup.
“I found my niche as a teenager, jumped in with both feet and I’ve been learning ever since. I can’t actually say becoming PGA Captain is a dream come true because, starting out, I never would’ve imagined that I’d be proposed by The PGA board for such a lofty position.
“But I have a lot of experience behind me now, and my career has built me up to this. I’m following a fantastic Captain in Peter (Laugher), who has been of great support to me.
“There have been some great Captains, and I’m very excited to be following in their footsteps. If I do half as good a job as they did, then I’ll have done well.”
Having been the Director of Golf at Kingsbarns, before holding significant posts at the Duke’s Course and the Old Course Hotel, Scott moved to his current position at Dumbarnie Links in 2020, helping to rapidly establish it as one of the jewels in the home of golf’s crown.
As General Manager at the bustling Fife course, Scott has plenty of day-to-day duties, but he is relishing the prospect of adding his PGA Captaincy commitments to an already packed schedule.
“There will be some juggling,” he added. “Dumbarnie Links reopens for the season the day after I take up the Captaincy, so I’m back up from The Belfry on a late flight for a few hours’ sleep before being on the first tee in the morning to welcome the first golfers of the new season.
“The good thing for me is that I have an excellent team at Dumbarnie Links who will deliver in all areas. When I’m away, it won’t fall apart.
“When I was invited to be Captain, I ran it past Clive Clark, founder and course designer of Dumbarnie. But he, as a proud PGA Member, didn’t think twice before telling me, ‘This is something you have to take; it’s a great honour and a fantastic opportunity.’”
PGA Chief Executive Robert Maxfield expressed his enthusiasm for Scott’s appointment, highlighting the exceptional qualities he has demonstrated throughout a distinguished career.
“To be The PGA Captain, you must represent the very essence of the Association. David Scott exemplifies exactly what it means to be a PGA Professional.”
Only recently, Scott demonstrated his dedication to supporting fellow Members through his own continuous professional development event at Dumbarnie, providing an invaluable experience for PGA Professionals across the UK.
Maxfield continued, “His wealth of experience at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues, combined with his unwavering commitment to supporting fellow PGA Members and golfers nationwide, makes him a truly deserving choice for this honour. David is a true credit to The PGA.
“I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Peter Laugher for his hard work and enthusiasm throughout his tenure as Captain over the past year.”
An amiable and approachable character, Scott is looking forward to meeting and greeting partners, sponsors and players, establishing new friendships and cementing long-standing relationships during his spell as PGA Captain.
“It’s important to make everybody that The PGA deals with feel valued and show them how appreciative we are of their support,” said Scott of his ambassadorial role.
“I’ll be the face of The PGA at various events and occasions, and I’ll do my utmost to make the Association proud.”
