JUDY’S ROYAL DORNOCH BAPTISM LIVES UP TO EXPECTATIONS

JUDY Murray and tennis are linked inextricably, with Majors winning sons Andy and Jamie enjoying stellar careers on the court.

While her coaching acumen and encouraging the next generation to take up a racket sees Judy in demand around the country, she has succumbed to the lure of golf in recent years.

She regularly enjoys invitations to some of the country’s finest golf courses and Judy added Royal Dornoch to the list when she took part in a Greensomes event before being guest of honour at an evening dinner to mark the 30th anniversary of women enjoying full membership at the club.

“This was the first time I had played the Championship Course. The course is in immaculate condition; I loved all the little humps and bumps on the fairways and the greens are challenging but lovely,” said Judy, who also fitted in a game at Brora.

“The outlook is spectacular, running alongside the Dornoch Firth and the beach, and teeing-off in front of that beautiful new clubhouse is memorable.

“I know the Curtis Cup is coming to Dornoch in 2028 and the players will love the challenge, the golf course, the scenery and the warm welcome they will get.

“I am quite new to golf but I have been lucky to enjoy invitations to play fabulous courses like Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart, Trump Turnberry and the Old Course at St Andrews, which are a wonderful showcase not just for golf but for Scotland.

“I can totally understand why so many visitors from overseas want to play Scottish links courses like Royal Dornoch when they come here.

“For all the prestige that Dornoch enjoys in the world of golf, I was struck by the warm welcome and the sense of community among the staff and members.”

Judy teamed-up with Lady Captain Rosemary Muschamp, past captain Alison Bartlett and George Gunn for her Championship Course baptism.

“The trip lived up to all my expectations. Everyone was so friendly and it was one of the most fun days I have had on a golf course playing with Rosemary, Alison and Geordie,” said Judy.

She admits golf hadn’t figured on her radar until four years ago, but she is making up for lost time.

“One of my brothers, Niall Erskine, is a long-time member of Royal Dornoch and his wife Tracey is a member at Brora. I can completely understand why they love it.

“I had never had any interest in golf before I moved house close to Gleneagles and I was surrounded by it.

“Then I was invited to play in a three-day pro-am by a contact at Gleneagles. I thought he meant tennis, obviously, but it turned out he meant golf.

“Gleneagles wanted to encourage more women to play so they kindly offered to help me with coaching. I gave it a go and fell in love with golf.

“Now I am totally hooked. My handicap is 15.9 at Gleneagles but I am ridiculously erratic.

“I first got my handicap during a golf trip to Palma with friends. There were three courses to play, so I was persuaded by the pro who was with us to put in the cards.

“A group of us started around the same time and we enjoy the golf and the lunches.

“But unlike my sons, I’m not competitive, I just enjoy golf as a recreational sport, so the Greensomes format at Dornoch was perfect and my partners kept me right.

“I love that you can chat while you are out on the course because sports like tennis and badminton don’t allow any scope for that.”

As a champion for getting girls into sport, Judy was impressed with the work being done with school kids by PGA Head Teaching Pro Ally McNaughton and assistant Erin Herd.

“I met Ally and Erin and they told me about the coaching programme for local youngsters,” said Judy.

“The kids had come out of school and were turning up at the golf club for lessons. I was struck by how many girls were taking part, which is lovely.

“In my experience of encouraging girls into tennis and, crucially, retaining them during the high school years, having a big friendship group is important. If you are all having fun together, there is less chance of girls dropping out.

“Having a female presence in your workforce, or among the volunteers, is also important as women understand what the teenage years entail, with all the physical and emotional changes.

“I thought it was fabulous what was happening at Dornoch. They are doing a great job.”

Judy is eager to return to the Highlands and perhaps it could coincide with a family get-together?

“I know Jamie and Andy would absolutely love it. They are both very good golfers,” she said.

“Andy is down to scratch already, which is very annoying! He is quite obsessed with golf and likes playing in competitions and medals.

“Jamie has started to get into it more since he retired from tennis at the end of last year and he has been having lessons.

“The sibling rivalry is already kicking in!”