Durness greenkeeper returns from volunteer stint in US to pick up home course award for second year running
A Sutherland greenkeeper, fresh from spending time on a volunteer programme at a prestigious US golf course, was back in the UK in time to collect an award won by his home course.
Ali Morrison, the sole greenkeeper at remote Durness Golf Club, was presented with the award for Best 9-Hole Course in Scotland at the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards 2025, held at P&J Live in Aberdeen last Thursday, March 20.
This is the second year in a row that the club has won this award.
Mr Morrison landed in the UK just days before the awards ceremony after spending 10 days volunteering at The Tournament Players Club (TPC) Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, south-east of Jacksonville, Florida.
With its famous 17th island green and stunning Florida setting, the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is considered one of the most spectacular golfing challenges in the world.
Each March the club hosts the PGA Tour PLAYERS Championship, with the home greenkeeping team supported by a multinational team of volunteers, including members of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).
Mr Morrison was one of 30 members sent out by BIGGA, supported by agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere, who provided accommodation, food and uniforms.
The 32-year-old, who is celebrating his 10th anniversary at the spectacular Durness course after completing his apprenticeship at Brora, had never been to America before.
He said: “It’s been a great work experience, very different from life at Durness. Here, I am on my own. At Sawgrass, there were about 200 of us, working morning and afternoon shifts.
“I didn’t find anyone else who had a team of one at home, or who had electric fences to protect greens from sheep at certain times of the year!
“Morning shifts meant being picked up from the hotel at 4.30am, but that isn’t much different from my normal start time in the summer when the course is busy with visitors.
“I was part of a 12-strong team just looking after the front nine bunkers, which are massive. We were also out divotting after the golf, or cutting back the rough with hand mowers.
“They get a lot of growth at Sawgrass, but thankfully fescue grass at Durness doesn’t require as much hands-on feeding and care.
“It was an eye-opener to see what that level of manpower can achieve and it was a fantastic learning experience.
“All the big names were there and I followed Bob MacIntyre when I had down time.”
Mr Morrison, a Golf Highland and High 9s Tour (a golf tour that focuses on 9-hole golf courses) group member, has been investing in plant and machinery with visitor numbers rising at Durness.
He said: “It’s great that we are welcoming more and more visitors. Hopefully winning the Best 9-Hole Course of the Year Award again will help with the profile.”
Durness Golf Club captain Neil MacRae said: “It is extremely rewarding for such a small club to be recognised two years in a row, and to know that despite our remote location, everyone’s hard work is being noticed by the golfing world.”
