LEGENDARY CADDIE “PIPEY” and DON GREENBERG FONDLY REMEMBERED
OVER three days, Royal Dornoch’s celebrated Championship Course hosts two competitions which were named in memory of our legendary caddie Sandy “Pipey” Matheson.
But many members will also be fondly remembering the man who first suggested the event be named after “Pipey.”
Sadly, much-loved New Yorker Don Greenberg passed away earlier this week, and club general manager Neil Hampton said he will be in the minds of many over the next few days.
“It was Don’s idea to call the event the Sandy Pipey Young Masters and he generously sponsored the event from 2011 onwards,” explained Neil.
“While his later years were spent in Tampa, Florida, until ill health curtailed his travel, Don loved spending his summers in Dornoch after joining the club in 1990.
“He was a wonderful character who embraced all that life gave him and was determined to enjoy it to the full.
“His relationship with the Matheson family, his love for golf and helping young people in their careers spurred him on and this year’s tournament will be bittersweet as we all remember, and appreciate, the huge impression Don made on this event and the golf club he took to his heart.”
On Saturday, 43 teams will take part in the Pro-Am, with many familiar faces in Highland golf teeing-up.
That will be followed on Sunday and Monday by the 36-hole “Sandy Pipey Young Masters” aimed at young PGA professionals who are either in training or under the age of 25.
The club has proudly hosted the tournament, which was formerly known as the Dennis Lovell Assistants, since 1989.
It marks the culmination of the Young Pro’s Order of Merit and will decide final placings for the 2026 season, with the winner of the OOM securing entries to most other PGA Scotland next year.
Previous winners include Paul Lawrie, David Drysdale and more recently Chris Doak, who also went on to play on the European Tour.
The field currently stands at 83, including six females.
Likely contenders this year include John Henry (Wilson Golf), runner-up in the Carnegie Invitational, 2025 Scottish Young Pro’s Champion Chris Maclean (Hayston) and 2026 Champion Liam Duncan (Dunniker Park), defending champion Taylor Kerr (Carnegie Club) and 2025 Y/P OOM winner Fraser Russell (Kilmarnock (Barassie).
Liam Duncan currently leads the 2026 OOM, with Sean Logue (Montrose) and Chris Edge (Bruntsfield) in second and third. Both could overtake Liam with good performances in the Highlands.
“We are indebted to all the members of Royal Dornoch for hosting the tournament for nearly 40 years,” said Roy Murray, Tournament Controller with the PGA in Scotland.
“It is a privilege to be able to come here every year and it is a fantastic way to complete the Young Professionals Order of Merit.
“General manager Neil Hampton is a tremendous supporter, and we all appreciate the assistance we have received from the members and staff at the club over the years.
“To attract over 40 teams and have a waiting list each year is a testament to the quality of the course and with the new clubhouse being opened this year there is an added attraction to look forward to.”
Neil Hampton said the club was delighted to welcome back year after year, an event which recalls a fondly remembered caddy and clubhouse character.
“The Pro-Am is always very popular and the perfect appetiser for the more serious golf coming hard on its heels.
“Flying the flag for Royal Dornoch on Saturday are our Head of Golf Scott Sellars, Head Teaching Pro Ally McNaughton and his assistant Erin Herd, and we wish them well.
“It’s great to see so many young professionals from all over Scotland coming to Dornoch for what is always a crucial stage of the season.”
Follow news and scores from the event on the following link – Sandy Pipey Young Masters