DG : 2020 was an unprecedented year for the golf industry . How did the Covid-19 pandemic effect you ?
SL : Covid affected me in a good way . I could stay home for the longest time in all my career , enjoying spring , summer and much of the fall in Scotland .
DG : Going back to the beginning , where did you learn to play golf and how did you get into it ?
SL : My dad came ( with my mum and sisters ) from Scotland to take a position as the Pro at Hawkstone Park in Shropshire . That ’ s where I was born and raised . The course was on my front doorstep .
DG : As an amateur you made your debut in The Open Championship at age 16 in 1974 ; won the Brabazon Trophy in 1975 and 1977 ; and played on the Walker Cup team in 1977 . Do you have any stand-out memories from playing amateur golf in Scotland ?
SL : Well , I played the British Amateur in Scotland but was knocked out in the second round . I ended up caddying for Martin Poxon .
Q & A 3 - SANDY LYLE
DG : You won The Masters in 1988 and return every year as a past Champion . Can you tell us a little bit more about how important that event is to you ?
SL : The Masters is a fantastic event to come back to as a past Champion . Playing or not , you always feel special when you return . The course is now more demanding for the older generation with the length it has become but if you think your way around and are really on with your short game you can still compete . Langer has proven this again and again . This year , though a few holes really caught me out , I still managed to play the par-5s under par without ever going for the green in two .
DG : I believe you are a fan of Hickory golf with World Hickory Open victories in Scotland back in 2014 and 2016 . Can you tell us a bit more about how you got into it and what those victories meant to you ?
SL : Scott Macpherson got me into it playing Musselburgh . The challenge of shotmaking grabbed me instantly . Modern technology is sometimes more of a hindrance to me because they are all set to play with a certain shape . The victories mean a lot as an achievement . It doesn ’ t do much for the bank balance but the experience to play hickory and play against all the real enthusiasts from all over the World is something very special .
DG : Focusing on Scotland as a Destination , I ’ ve heard that you play a bit as Skibo Castle and Prestwick , and that you have honorary membership at Golspie and Panmure . But where are your favourite Scottish courses to play for a casual game with friends ?
SL : The nearest course I love to play is St . Fillans . It ’ s nice to just pop out at the end of the day for a quick 9 or 18 with whoever is visiting us . Any level of player enjoys the course and setting . It ’ s a real gem . We are so lucky in Scotland as there are so many good courses you can play without