Powrie set for the spotlight

Pitlochry actor Greg Powrie is aiming to avoid a bout of stage fright when he stands on the first tee at the Lombard Trophy regional final at Crieff Golf Club.

Powrie, who has become accustomed to being in the spotlight during a career on stage and screen, will tee up alongside his PGA Professional Mark Pirie in Europe’s biggest pro-am on June 16.

The 51 year old, whose television credits include roles in Taggart and Reichenbach Falls, admitted he feels far more nervous on the golf course than he does the stage.

That will only be enhanced this week with the winners securing a place in the £80,000 grand final over Gleneagles’ PGA Centenary Course, the venue for last year’s Ryder Cup, on September 1-2.

And for Powrie the event will mark his biggest day in the sport since setting out with his golf-mad parents and a set of cut down clubs when he was just a boy.

“This is going to be a whole new experience for me and to be honest I’m a bit nervous,” he admitted.

“I haven’t really played in anything on this scale before, and I didn’t expect to come through my club qualifier.

“I had only just got my handicap and although I had a decent round, I didn’t play brilliantly.

“I just need to overcome the pressure on the first tee, a lot of it is about mind games and convincing yourself that it is just a normal round of golf.

“It’s definitely more nerve-wracking than going out on stage. In theory that’s a doddle compared to this as I should know what I’m doing!”

Powrie, who recently brought the curtain down on his ninth season at Pitlochry Repertory Theatre, is hopeful he can get some insider info from pro Pirie.

“I believe Mark was based at Crieff before he moved to Pitlochry so I’m hoping he’ll keep me on track,” he said.

“I’ve played there once myself, but that was many years ago so I certainly don’t expect it to give me any advantage.

“But I’m sure Mark will keep me straight, he’s a good guy, very approachable and he has been at the club for a long time.”