PGA Member Tait continues to grow the game with launch of Scottish Women’s Amateur Tour

31/07/2024

The work of a PGA Professional is never done, but Alan Tait wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sustained by an unwavering passion for the game that he adores, the former Tartan Tour No 1 continues to work tirelessly to improve the playing opportunities for women in golf. Since dipping his toe into the play-and-play waters some 25 years ago with his 2000+ Tour for pros and amateurs, his latest initiative, Scottish Women’s Amateur Tour (SWAT) offers women of varied handicaps to compete at world-class venues across Scotland.

His Get Back To Golf Tour, which emerged amid the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic, continues to this day and Tait has now furnished the domestic scene with another mini-circuit for female amateurs.

“It started off as a bit of light-hearted banter,” said Tait of the SWAT’s genesis. “I’d started these others tours and five or six of the girls would often say, ‘right Taity, when are you going to do something for us women?’.

“I kind of laughed it off at the start but then it got more serious. One came up and said they have the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open, the Scottish Women’s Amateur and some county stuff but that’s really it.

“Many said they used to play in lots of 36-holers on the order of merit but there wasn’t the opportunity now. I thought, ‘let’s try and pull something together’.”

With an entry fee of just £65, the SWAT features nine, 36-hole contests at some of Scotland’s finest venues.

The circuit began in April at Royal Dornoch and will conclude with a grand-final at Cabot Highlands Castle Stuart. “There’s an opportunity there to play Royal Dornoch, and the like, for 65 quid and, if nothing else, you’re getting two rounds on courses than can usually cost £300 to £400,” he said of the terrific value for money.

“We have got all sorts of players,” said the long-serving PGA member. “There will be players out there, perhaps some former internationalists, in their 50s and 60s.

"They will still be competitive, but they might also look at this as a nice social opportunity too. And, of course, we want those younger ones who have aspirations of playing for Scotland.

“I think this tour can tick a lot of boxes for women golfers. I enjoy doing my bit to help our game and promoting golf in Scotland as much as I can. It's all hard work and a big commitment but it gives me huge pleasure to give something back to golf.”

With his latest endeavour, Tait continues to encapsulate all that is great about the work of The PGA professional.

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