Starting young means Callum's not so green when he heads for the golf

When did you start playing?

I was seven when my Grandpa took me along to practice at Dunblane. I became a member there when I was 10.

What's your handicap now?

I'm back to plus one, just down from plus two.

Does that mean you could have been a pro-golfer?

Possibly. Maybe not a very good one though. I decided on football because I thought I could revert to golf if things didn't work out. That's to say, you can still make it when you're a bit older whereas football is a young man's game.

Presumably being a professional footballer leaves you plenty time for the golf course?

Actually no. The training with Blackburn has been really hard this season and we have been playing Saturday then Wednesday most weeks. I usually try to squeeze a game in at the beginning of the week.

Go on then, name drop.

I usually play with John Filan and Matt Jansen.

Going back in time, any golf successes?

I played for Scotland Schoolboys in the Home Internationals but unfortunately we lost to England. On a personal level I won the club championship at Dunblane when I was 16.

Not bad. Obvious question coming up. Any holes in one?

Yes. On a Scotland debut at Royal Aston in Birmingham. It was a seven iron off the 5th tee.

Favourite course?

Dornoch. Every summer I go up with my brother and a couple of pals. My friend's brother is the assistant pro there.

Do you bother with the spectating side of the game?

I used to go to the Scottish Open when it was at Gleneagles and I've been to other tournaments as well. But The Open usually clashes with pre-season training.

What did you make of the Ryder Cup?

I was glued to the TV. The American celebrations were disrespectful to Jose Maria Olazabal but everyone was obviously so hyped up and that affects your judgment.

You were an all-round sportsman in your schooldays. What else did you play?

Just about everything. I played squash to quite a high level, and tennis, but they affected my golf swing so I began to concentrate on that and football.

Any interesting golf stories?

Yes, but I'm not telling you!

DAVID OGILVIE

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