Cassidy is a Wishaw Golf Club record breaker

Dec 15 2010 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

Wishaw Golf Club

WISHAW Golf Club ace Stuart Cassidy created history this season securing a clean sweep after winning every event he entered.

The 27-year-old’s record breaking achievements were all the more remarkable given he was out of action for nine months last year following an operation on his troublesome knee.

His fantastic season began superbly in June when he claimed the club championship, played over three rounds, which secured him the Belhaven Trophy.

This victory by one shot gave him the confidence to go undefeated in all matchplay competitions throughout the season where he claimed the prestigious Jackson Trophy, the AJ Moir Trophy and the Scott Trophy.

His remarkable consistency saw Stuart win the Glen Shield, awarded to the player with the best eight net scores throughout the season.

The delighted Coltness lad said: “I could not have done any more and I was absolutely delighted.

“I knew I had a chance in the club championship and to be honest that was probably my main aim this year.

“I only won that by a single shot, I had a poor first round but then pulled it back in the final two rounds.”

He continued: “A few years ago I got a bad injury playing football and knew I had to have a knee operation at some point.

“I was out for nine months but came back at the end of last season.

“I really just wanted to get fit again and try and get my handicap down this season.”

Stuart, who got his handicap down from six to four this year, began playing golf at the age of seven and, after giving up for five years when 16, he soon returned to Wishaw Golf Club.

He believes the influence of Uddingston-based coach Gary Mitchell has been huge but also feels his own determination to win has set him apart from the rest this year.

He added: “I have improved a lot and I think my ball-striking and short game has improved dramatically in the past year.

“There are plenty of good players who could easily beat me but I am very determined when I play and that really helps.”

His favourite golfers include world number one Lee Westwood, Tiger Woods and former Spanish great Seve Ballesteros, reckons it will be almost impossible to do the clean sweep again in 2011, saying: “A lot of the guys were talking about what I did and I don’t think it has been done before and might never happen again.

“Next year, if I retain the club championship I will be doing well and anything else will be a bonus.

“I think I can get better and I really want to get my handicap down further.”