For Alastair Forsyth, the home comforts of the Tartan Tour seem to be as soothing as a nice pair of baffies that have been warmed at the wood burning stove.
“I’m much more relaxed than I’ve been in a couple of years,” said the 40-year-old Paisley man. “No airports, fewer hotels, no losing bags. Just the odd overnight stay and no standing in queues at check in surrounded by rude people.” Yes, the golf writers can be an impatient lot.
This relaxing scene on the domestic front is also reaping the rewards and Forsyth will take his place in this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart having successfully negotiated his way through the 36-hole qualifying scramble at Moray over the weekend.
A regular on the European Tour for a number of years, Forsyth is enjoying something of a new lease of life in his own back yard. Apart from competitive outings on the Tartan Tour, Forsyth has plenty on to keep himself occupied. His coaching portfolio continues to grow while he has to knuckle down to do the various course requirements for his PGA Foundation degree.
“I will be getting my first year results sent to me this Friday for my exams and if I make the cut at Castle Stuart I probably won’t look at my emails,” he said with a smile. “I’m really enjoying the coaching at Mearns Castle and I’ll help anyone who comes along. It’s been good players, beginners, kids. Just whoever. You get a real buzz helping others and trying to improve their game.”
Forsyth has not completely ruled out another stab at the European Tour’s qualifying school later in the year but it certainly won’t be the be all and end all for a player who has found a sense of golfing peace again after a few years of dispiriting toil.
“If I didn’t qualify for the Scottish Open I wouldn’t have beaten myself up like I might have done in the past when I just wasn't enjoying my golf,” he said. “The fact I’m doing other things other than playing helps that. If I was playing well at the end of the year, I might give the tour school a go. I haven’t totally given up on it, but I’m not focused on it or driving towards it now.”
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