Leading Scottish golfer Marc Warren admits it will be a ‘strange’ experience when he travels to Gleneagles for the opening day of the Ryder Cup.
It will be the first occasion since he was a 15-year old Warren will travel to pro event, and a very first Ryder Cup, without his golf clubs.
The now 33-year old Callaway golfing ace is a former winner around the PGA Centenary course having captured the 2007 Johnnie Walker Championship and he’s keen to not only soak up the atmosphere but also support fellow Scot and close friend Stephen Gallacher.
Top Scottish golfer Marc Warren visits golf’s seventh oldest club – Crail Golfing Society. Seen here before teeing on the Balcomie Links Course.
“I’m looking forward firstly to see a Ryder Cup being held in Scotland and I’m sure the atmosphere will be incredible and also interesting,” he said.
“I also want to go out support Stevie (Gallacher) and it’s great that he will be out in the morning Fourballs as that will now delight the predominately Scottish crowd that will be looking to follow his match.
“And it’s going to be different not unpacking the golf clubs as I would have to go back to a Scottish Open at Loch Lomond when I was about 15 years old, and the last time I went to an event without my clubs.
Three-time European Tour winner Marc Warren teeing off at the 18th on the Balcomie Links Course at Crail
“I used to go every year from 1996 when Loch Lomond began hosting Tour events as one of my good friends was caddying.
“I would sit on the range all day as I found that more interesting and more beneficial to me in learning more about the game than going out onto the golf course.
“So it’s going to be very strange going to Gleneagles and especially knowing so many of the European Team so well as I will feel that I want to walk up and speak to them but then knowing you can’t do that in a Ryder Cup.
Marc Warren meets respected Crail member Rab Redpath on the 18th tee.
“There’s really only one guy among the dozen on the European Team I don’t know that well and that’s Victor (Dubuisson) and I’ve never really met him.”
While Gallacher was being introduced by European Team captain Paul McGinley to the sporting world, Warren was out on the famed Balcomie Course at Crail preparing for next week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Warren remarked he enjoyed his day at the seventh oldest club in golf and also warming to meeting with affable Assistant Professional, David Snodgrass and one of Crail’s more respected members in Rab Redpath (See photo of Marc with Rab above and with David below).
And when Warren gets to Gleneagles he says there will be no chance of recognizing him in the crowd.
“While I am wishing the European Team to success, I will be a very passive supporter out on the Ryder Cup course,” he said
“So I don’t see myself getting too worked up in cheering and so on, and I will save all that to when I qualify for the European Team.”
Marc Warren with Crail’s very affable Assistant Professional David Snodgrass.
