Rollo's pride at Moray pro debut
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PRIDE will be the overwhelming emotion as Andrew Rollo steps on to the first tee next week at Moray Golf Club.
He has done it countless times before as a member and assistant professional at the Lossiemouth links course.
However, next week he will do it for the first time as the club’s representative on the professional EuroPro Tour.
Rollo is trying to establish himself in the professional game this season on the European Tour satellite set-up for up and coming young pros and experienced players who are looking to secure cards for the Challenge Tour and main tour.
After winning his card earlier this year, Lossiemouth-based Rollo has missed three cuts on the EuroPro Tour so far.
However, he feels comfortable playing on this stage and has certainly not been over-awed by the experience so far.
“Scoring-wise, I have been pretty far away from making the cuts, but I don’t feel that far away to be honest,” he said.
And Rollo hopes that home knowledge of the testing Old Course, with a little bit of Moray Firth wind, can propel him to making his first cut of the season in the Grant Property Investment Championship at his home club.
“The first three courses have all been big inland courses, not like what they are going to experience at Lossiemouth.
“I have spent a bit of time with the guys and one of them, from Trinidad, has never been to Scotland, let alone played a proper links course.
“The guys on tour are a very high standard. I am hoping to play well next week and make the cut.”
The top 50 players after the first two rounds on Wednesday and Thursday will contest the final round on Friday when there is a £10,000 first prize up for grabs.
Rollo is likely to have a decent home support cheering him on and admits that will be a huge boost.
He is relishing life on tour and is determined to give it his best shot, after gaining his PGA qualifications and learning the ropes as an assistant pro at Moray.
“It is very different. The EuroPro Tour is a big event, with more money, more people and TV cameras. I am really enjoying it and definitely trying to make the most of it.”
The only downside so far has been a 10-hour car journey to London and back for one event, however, travelling and living out of a suitase in hotels is part and parcel of the job, he added.
Rollo (28) has attracted some support from sponsors and is also supplementing the cost of playing on tour by continuing to teach for the Scottish Golf Union at Nairn Dunbar and with the North District, as well as providing private lessons. He was teaching youngsters through the Clubgolf Scotland scheme this week at Nairn.
“I am trying to coach enough to pay the mortgage and also pay for my travelling and hotels,” he said.
His EuroPro Tour card permits him to tee up in all 15 events this season and his ambition is to do that if he can afford it. However, he may look to bolster his competitive calendar by slotting in some Tartan Tour and pro-am events in Scotland.
Rollo hopes the weather is kind to Moray Golf Club next week and the event acts as a showcase for golf in Moray.
“Moray Golf Club is on the verge of being included in the North golf trail that includes Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Royal Aberdeen. I am sure Moray will look fantastic next week.”
The EuroPro Tour is televised on Sky Sports on a regular basis and next week will overlap with the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart near Inverness.
One of the biggest advantage for Rollo next week is the chance of a few extra hours in bed each morning before walking to the course for his tee time.
Keep an eye on the EuroPro Tour website for the draw for the first two rounds at Moray next Wednesday and Thursday.
