Cameron eyes resurgence as he prepares for defence of Loch Lomond Whiskies Scottish PGA Championship

26/08/2021

Whenever Ross Cameron needs some inspiration and motivation, the Loch Lomond Whiskies Scottish PGA Championship provides it in barrel loads.

Memories of his four-shot success in the Arnold Clark Tartan Tour’s flagship event a year ago remain stuck in his mind as if seared on with a branding iron.

“I still think about that win most weeks to be honest and I still have a smile to myself when I reflect on that success,” said Cameron, who returns to Deer Park this coming week to defend his national title.

Over the course of a glory-laden fortnight last season, Cameron was suddenly faced with re-arranging his mantelpiece in order to fit two major pieces of domestic silverware on to it.

Having won the prestigious Northern Open, Cameron followed it up by landing the Scottish PGA crown as he etched his name onto a shimmering roll of honour that reads like a who’s who of professional golf in the game’s cradle. “There are some fantastic winners on that trophy and a few of them reached out to me after I won,” he added. “I got a lovely message from Andrew Coltart. I’d never met him before and that was really special. It’s funny. I think I had just one top-10 in the Scottish PGA before I won it. I’d never played that well in it.”

After the giddy highs of 2020, Cameron has struggled to replicate that prolific form in the current campaign. Golf has always been a maddening game of fickle fortunes.

“I’ve been playing pretty much a full schedule on the PGA EuroPro Tour but from maybe nine events I’ve made just one cut,” Cameron added. “I can sum the season up in one word and that’s ‘disappointing’.

“I was looking to build on what I did last year but to this point it hasn’t happened yet.”

A return to Deer Park may just provide the spark required to ignite his season.

“Since the dates of the championship were announced it’s been circled in the diary,” said the 42-year-old. “I would have liked a bit of momentum and some better form but hopefully I can find something.”

A professional since the age of 18, Cameron remains a popular perennial of the Tartan Tour and his drive and determination is undiminished.

“I completed my PGA training back in 2000 and set out to take on the world” chuckled Cameron. “I did set some lofty goals, I was always ambitious. One of them was to play in a Ryder Cup. And then I quickly realised it would be a bit harder than I thought. I wrote all my goals down in a little book. I still have that book. And I’m still working on many of the goals.”

With a host of the Tartan Tour big guns lining up to launch an assault on a cherished title that dates back to 1907, David Longmuir, the manager of The PGA in Scotland, is eagerly anticipating the Deer Park showpiece.

“On behalf of the PGA in Scotland we are delighted to present the 2021 Loch Lomond Whiskies Scottish PGA Championship from Deer Park,” he said. “We are indebted to our sponsors, Loch Lomond Whiskies, who are significant supporters of the game in Scotland and we trust that members, guests and visitors who come along next week will be able to enjoy a sample of their excellent whiskies.

“We are also delighted to be working again with the team at Deer Park, their professional approach to making this year’s Championship another success is most appreciated.

“I would like to wish all PGA Professionals every success as they try to win one of Scotland’s oldest and most prestigious titles.”

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