Gregor escapes Scottish winter and takes out the South African Amateur Championship
Gregor Graham continued a proud Scottish record in the South African Amateur Championship when he lifted the 2024 title earlier in 2024 – a success made possible by the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation’s support of Scottish Golf’s performance programme.
The Blairgowrie golfer was one of five emerging talents from Scotland taking part in the prestigious event at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club thanks to funding put in place by the charitable wing of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
While the winter climate denied meaningful practice back home in Perthshire, Graham was able to travel to South Africa alongside performance squad team-mates Gregor Tait, James Morgan, Jack McDonald and Matthew Wilson as well as Scotland men’s coach Spencer Henderson.
During the trip the players took part in warm weather coaching sessions and three top-class amateur events.
Graham’s stunning 4&2 win over home favourite Jordan Burnand in the 36-hole South African Amateur final was truly impressive – the Scot carding 14 birdies in the 34 holes played.
Not only did that performance earn the 20-year-old the biggest win of his amateur career, but it also strengthened the relationship developed over several years between Scottish Golf and the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation.
With his win, Graham became the fifth Scot in 13 years to win the South African Amateur crown, following in the footsteps of Michael Stewart (2011), Brian Soutar (2012), Daniel Young (2015) and Craig Ross (2016).
Graham was quick to acknowledge the importance of the South African trip to the career and personal development of Scotland’s leading male amateur golfers down the years.
“We love coming out here,” confirmed proud Scot Graham after the win.
“We stop playing in September, so it’s quite a long off season. We always look forward to getting out to the warm weather and playing tournament golf again.
“There is so much Scottish history in this event, so to add to that feels great. I’m delighted to have finally won a big amateur event.”
For Graham, the winter stop in the southern hemisphere funded by the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation helped tee up the best season of his blossoming career.
Back on UK soil in May, Graham added the internationally renowned Brabazon Trophy to his collection, becoming the first Scot to win that event in 19 years when he triumphed in a weather-shortened championship at Hollinwell Golf Club.
Graham also represented Scotland in the 2024 European Men’s Team Championships and the Home Internationals and will remain part of the Scotland performance set-up for the 2025 season when once again the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation will support the career development of the brightest young Scottish talents.