CONGRATULATIONS to long-time Royal Dornoch stalwart and past captain Willie “Hook” MacKay, who is being recognized by Scottish Golf for five decades of “outstanding service” to the sport in his beloved Highlands.
Retired PE teacher Willie has played an integral role in the success of the Golf Highland group.
He will receive the prestigious “Lifetime Honour Award” sponsored by DotGolfat Scottish Golf’s annual dinner at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel on Friday, March 27.
Golf Highland chair and Royal Dornoch general manager Neil Hampton is delighted to see Willie’s dedication to golf and commitment to youth development being recognized nationally.
“As others have said, Willie truly is a force of nature and that means he gets things done, whether it is in the golfing world throughout the Highlands or in the life of the town, where the wellbeing of the Cathedral is very close to his heart,” said Neil.
“As a captain at Royal Dornoch Willie played a vital role in the recovery of the club post-pandemic and helped keep the new clubhouse project on track.
“This award from Scottish Golf couldn’t go to a more deserving candidate and everyone at Royal Dornoch, and the 34 member clubs of Golf Highland, are proud of all that Willie Hook has achieved as a champion for golf in the North of Scotland and beyond.”
Upon learning of the award, Willie said: “It feels totally surreal, and most unexpected.
“I’m lost for words and that’s saying something because I was vaccinated by a gramophone needle!
“I’m honoured and thankful for all the support I’ve received within Scottish Golf.”
The judges were impressed with Willie’s energy for the game which “marked him down as a special individual worthy of recognition for a lifetime serving the sport and his community.”
In his fifties Willie, now 75, took a secondment to take up a short-term golf development role initially linked to the Junior Ryder Cup. It was to span 17 years!
In addition to helping establish the “game changer” Golf Highland cooperative – which now flies the flag for 34 clubs across the region – Willie also played a key role in developing our popular “High9s Golf” programme, which encourages visiting golfers to play the scenic nine-hole courses in the area.
For full details of the Scottish Golf award and Willie’s dedication to golf and the Highlands see – The Real MacKay! Lifetime Honour Award bestowed on Highland legend
