Brothers meet their heroes on dream Euro golf trip

Oct 28 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

TWO junior members of Wishaw Golf Club enjoyed the trip of a lifetime last week when they met some of their sporting heroes at the Portugal Masters.

Wishaw lads Mark, 14, and Jamie Gray, 12, flew out to the Algarve golfing resort with their parents to watch one of most popular European Tour events of the year.

They met a host of their favourite golfers including Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie and rising Irish star Rory McIlroy who has been labelled Europes Tiger Woods.

But their most significant meeting came when they bumped into Ryder Cup veteran Lee Westwood.

The young golf enthusiasts obviously brought the Englishman some luck as he went on to claim his first title in more than two years.

His 23 under par total around the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course saw him win the Masters by two strokes from Italian Francesco Molinari.

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington finished two shots further back.

Mother Jillian Gray said it was a dream come true for her two sons to meet so many golfing greats.

She said: The competition is very relaxed compared to the British Open which has such a huge following and tight security.

At the Portugal Masters you are very close to the players and the kids could hear the banter and walk alongside the golfers between holes.

On the Wednesday (pro-am) they managed to get all the autographs and some golf balls from their idols including Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie, Justin Rose, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and of course Lee Westwood.

She continued: When we ate out at night the golf stars were eating in the restaurants along the marina often at the table next to us.

Mark and Jamie were in heaven!

The boys, who attend Clyde Valley High School, got chatting to some of the golfers during dinner one evening and discovered what the unique logos on their golf balls stood for.

Irishman Darren Clarke has his initials in the shape of a shamrock and the number 60 (he was the first player to shoot 60 on two separate occasions on the European Tour).

Justin Rose has the number 99 on his goal ball, which was the year he turned professional.

But the most intriguing logo was the one emblazoned on Rory McIIroys ball.

Jillian continued: The boys were puzzled as to why Rory has the name Theo on his golf ball.

And they were very amused when he told them that it was his dogs name.

All the golfers were very courteous and they happily spoke to the boys, encouraging them to put in the effort and reap the rewards.

Justin Rose told Mark and Jamie that he would never forget the late American golfer Payne Stewart throwing a ball to him at the British Open when he was a kid.

And true to form, the very next day Justin threw both boys a ball during his round.

Jillian said: It was great for Justin to do that and get advice from him.

But even more special was seeing one of their favourite golfers Lee Westwood win the tournament on the Sunday.

It was a holiday the boys will never forget.