Scotland: Coaching prize to honour Bob Torrence

The legacy of the late Bob Torrence is to by recognised at next month’s Scottish Golf Awards with the creation of an annual coaching award in his honour.

‘The Bob Torrence Coach of the Year Awad’ will be presented for the first time at the awards by Bob’s son Sam, the victorious 2002 Ryder Cup captain.

Torrence, who was also vice-captain under Paul McGinley last September, said: “I’m hugely proud my father is being remembered in this way on an annual basis at the Scottish Golf Awards.

“My father was one of the best coaches in the world and I’m sure there are many coaches who look up to him and take inspiration from his work.”

The event tales place at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange on Friday March 20 and the award will be sponsored by sportscotland, the national agency for sport.

‘I look forward to presenting the award and I’m sure we’ll have a worthy recipient’ Tributes poured in for Bob during last summer’s Open Championship after one of the game’s greatest coaches lost his short battle with cancer, aged 82.

Torrence had been Padraig Harrington’s coach when the Irishman won back-to-back Open titles in 2007 and 2008.

He was coach to a host of other leading players, including Paul McGinley, Marc Warren and Stephen Gallcher, while his work also extended to the amateur game and he was the Scottish Golf Union’s national coach.

Tickets are still available for the 2015 Scottish Golf Awards, co-hosted by BBC golf commentator Andrew Cotter and Sky broadcaster Caroline Hernderson. 

Last year’s event raised more than £40,000 for the game’s good causes through the Scottish Golf Charity, with 650 guests attended.

The Player of the Year and Shot of the Year awards will be revealed, as well as the RBS Junior Club and Volunteer of the Year awards.