Mention the name Marchbank and you immediately think of Gleneagles! Pictured here on the John Letters Tour workshop during the Johnnie Walker Championship is Ian Marchbank who was the golf professional at the famous Perthshire course for 30 years.Ian was taking his first look at the new T9+ line of golf clubs, launched at last month's Open Championship.
"It's great to see that new life has been injected in to John Letters.This was one of the great brands in golf during my time as a professional and they always produced fine looking golf clubs, " commented Marchbank.
It’s a family affair at Gleneagles.Eldest son Brian represented the resort on the European Tour for 17 years, middle son Graeme is now Director of Golf, and youngest son Billy is now carrying the flag on the Tartan Tour.
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JOHN DALY CHOOSES A JOHN LETTERS DRIVER AT ST ANDREWS...
Past Open Champion John Daly visited the John Letters Equipment Exhibition and chose
the new T9+ John Letters Driver to test whilst attending the golf clinic. The driving
range was packed as golfers and professionals cued to get space on the range to demo
the latest products. After a session of smashing balls to the end of the range 'Long John'
went on to have a look at the new TP wedges with JL Managing Director John Andrew on hand to
guide him on the latest design and specifications. Famed for his length off the tee and
massive backswing John Daly has always had a fantastic short game, his touch around the
green is up there with the best.
John Letters' presence at the Fairmont St Andrews during the 139th Open Championship has
been hailed a huge success after a weeklong equipment exhibition attracted interest from
golf's superstars and the golfing public. Visitors over the course of the week all keen
to try out the latest John Letters products included: ex-European Ryder Cup Captain and
John Letters player Sam Torrance, ex-US Ryder Cup Captain and player Tom Lehman, past
Open Champion John Daly plus past John Letters staff players Lee Trevino and Gary Player
and legendary BBC commentator and former Ryder Cup Referee Alex Hay.
John Letters' Tour Support vehicles were busy all week as golfers from Scotland and
across the globe took the opportunity to try the brand new T9+, T8 and TP Wedges in the
innovative new Letters line-up, many reconnecting with the great Scottish brand. With
golfers getting custom built equipment assembled on-site, the products were well-received,
gaining high praise from Fairmont Head PGA Professional, John Kerr, stating: "The T9+ is
one of the finest fairway woods I've seen in years."
GARY PLAYER VISITS JOHN LETTERS WORKSHOP...
Gary Player is one of the most successful golfers in the history of the sport, being the
only player in the 20th century to win the (British) Open in three different decades: 1959,
1968 & 1974 as a John Letters Staff Player. He went back to his roots when he visited the
John Letters Equipment Exhibition at The Open St Andrews. Gary was delighted to see the
brand was making a great comeback and said, "I had some wonderful times with John Letters.
I remember winning the Open at Royal Lytham in 1974 with the Master Model, they were
beautiful clubs." Gary was given a guided tour of all the new equipment and took the
opportunity to go inside the custom fit workshop to see how clubs are custom assembled on-site today.
LEE TREVINO RECALLS GOOD TIMES...
Lee Trevino won the British Open as a John Letters Staff Player in 1971 & 1972 was delighted
to see the John Letters brand at The Open St Andrews. He recalled his times as a John Letters
staff player, winning one of the most dramatic Opens in the Championships history in 1972 when
he beat Jack Nicklaus by a single shot. "John Letters was a master club maker and designer and
was well ahead of his time producing the best clubs in the world which is why I played and won with them".
ALEX HAY PUTS CUSTOMISED T9+ INTO HIS BAG...
Former Ryder Cup Referee, Alex is best known for his commentating partnership with Peter Alliss
where their banter, humour and wit became regarded by many as the "Voice of Golf". Pictured here
the world renowned Pro and commentator visited the JL Equipment Exhibition and got custom fitted
for a T9+ Driver and Fairway wood which he hit beautifully when testing at Kingsbarns Golf
Links. After seeing the new TP Series Wedges he commented "they are one on the best shapes I
have ever seen and the performance is remarkable"
A RESOUNDING SUCCESS...
John Letters Managing Director, John Andrew, said of the equipment exhibition: "It was Brilliant.
We've had a fantastic variety of golfers visiting the tour truck and sampling the new gear,
from Tour Professionals to high handicap golfers. It's been a great week and it's been good to
see so many people interested in the new products and reconnect with the brand."
DID YOU SEE US AT THE OPEN, ST ANDREWS?
John Letters had a great week during The Open at St Andrews and met up with many friends
old and new. If you have an interesting story relating to John Letters or this year's Open
Championship then Submit your story here and you could win
a fantastic prize.
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Sam Torrance OBE marked his return to John Letters of Scotland by hosting a special event at Crosland Heath Golf Club on Tuesday 29th June 2010 to raise much-needed funds for the Chris Gill Junior Golf Foundation.
Made possible by John Letters of Scotland Ltd and Managing Director, Huddersfield businessman, John Andrew, the day formed part of John letters’ celebrations after re-capturing the signature and services of one of Scotland’s most celebrated golfers, nearly 40 years after signing his first professional contract with the brand back in 1971.
‘An afternoon with Sam Torrance’ saw teams of golfers attempting to ‘beat Sam’ at a nearest the pin competition as well as compete for a wealth of team and individual prizes in near-perfect conditions at Huddersfield’s highest golf course raising over £3,600 in the process.
With large crowds throughout the day, fans had the opportunity to get up-close and personal with the victorious 2002 Ryder Cup Captain and see Sam in action on the 9th hole of the Alistair McKenzie designed Crosland Heath course.
With the sun shining, Sam delighted on-lookers with a display of ball-striking brilliance on the tough par 3 that saw only four players out of the entire field get inside Sam’s tee shot all day. And it was John Letters’ very own, John Andrew, not Sam, who was nearest the pin for the day with a great shot to just 4ft from the flag.
A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all and special thanks must go to the members and committee of Crosland Heath Golf Club and those who gave so generously for such a worthy cause.
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John Letters of Scotland, the equipment brand with 92 years of clubmaking history, is delighted to announce that staff player Phillip Archer has secured his place in the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.
Having successfully made it through Q-School to earn his playing privileges on the European Tour for 2010, Archer had to go through local final qualifying to secure his place on the Old Course from 15th-18th July.
Despite the pressure of only three players going through from each of four local qualifying venues, two excellent rounds of 66 and 70 over the challenging Ladybank course were enough to see Archer through and represent the famous Scottish brand at the Home of Golf.
Five birdies and one bogey in the morning round followed by three birdies and one bogey in the final eighteen holes, later the same day, ensured Archer’s six under (-6) par total of 136 was good enough for a share of top spot and a place in the 2010 Open Championship.
There are not many to rival the track record of clubmaking achievements of John Letters, reportedly wining the British Open more than any other club maker. Let’s hope Archer can join the host of other tour professionals such as Fred Daly, Dai Rees, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Sam Torrance, Cathy Panton, Bernard Gallacher and Paul Lawrie who all played and won with John Letters clubs on tour over the course of their 92 year history.
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The Senior Open Championship tees-off on July 22 from Carnoustie with the last five European Ryder Cup Captains, along with current American Captain Corey Pavin, all set to play. John Letters staff player Sam Torrance will be joined by; Sir Nick Faldo, Mark James, Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam as he attempts to take a share of the $2million prize fund. Sam captained the 2002 Ryder Cup wining European Team and is looking forward to playing on a home course. “Last year I finished fifth at Sunningdale which really helped me in my quest to win the Order of Merit and I will be hoping I can do even better this year. It’s always special playing in Scotland and hopefully we will get some more fantastic support like we did at Royal Troon two years ago.” The Senior Open Championship is presented by Mastercard and is sure to provide exciting golfing in the run up to this year’s Ryder Cup. With so many past Captains and players entered, the competition is sure to be tough. All the staff at John Letters wish Sam Torrance the very best of luck. Follow Sam and the rest of the leaderboard on the European Tour website.
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