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Trilby Tour Scotland Champion Trevor Taylor (centre) pictured with best friend and caddy Grant Mitchell (left) and son Simon (right)

Winning the Scotland Championship has been the biggest day of my life and no-one can take that away from me

Background
Age: 39
Handicap: 8.5
Home club: Gleneagles
Caddy: Grant Mitchell
Occupation: Director of Insight UK.
History: Third year in the TT

Congratulations Trevor! The last time we spoke it was to interview you for our special feature on the Scotland Championship (READ ARTICLE HERE). At the time you said it would be 'an amazing dream to win' and we had no idea then that the next time we would speak it would be to interview you as the Scotland Champion! How does it feel?
It feels fantastic! Winning the Scotland Championship has been the biggest day of my life outside of getting married and having children. I've played in the Trilby Tour since it began and it's the biggest date in my calendar all year.

To have won the tournament here in Scotland is massive and no-one can take that away from me - I can hold up my head and say I've done it. From an amateur point of view its like winning a major. To be put in this position where your dream can come true - it's a day I'll never forget.

From an amateur point of view its like winning a Major - it's a day I'll never forget

Did you ever think this day would come?
To be completely honest with you, before the tournament came I had actually felt like giving up. About four weeks before I phoned my coach Chris Robertson and said I'd had enough. I felt my consistency and rhythm had completely gone. He came round and advised me to slow down my back swing to gain some control.

I practiced a little bit the day before the tournament but I never dreamt of winning - I only ever aimed to qualify in the top twelve.

Halfway round we were at 18 points and one of the pros came and told me i needed to get 20 to get into the top four. So we refocused and played the next couple of holes very well and managed to get to 21 points and into the play-off!

I couldn't have done it without my caddy and best friend Grant - it was a hundred percent partnership

A lot of confidence came from my caddy and best friend Grant. I couldn't have done it without him - he kept me nice and focused. The whole game was definitely a team effort - it was a hundred percent a partnership. Grant doesn't play golf but he's absolutely fantastic at reading the greens. He doesn't confuse me and he knows what I can hit and gets my club selection bang on.

To win the first Scotland Championship was a dream come true. I won it for Scotland and I even wore my William Hunt 'St Andrews Cross' trousers!

You took on players from across England, Ireland and Scotland for the Scottish title. How did it feel to win the Championship on home ground?
It's a dream come true. I'm from Scotland and I won it for Scotland - I even wore my bespoke William Hunt 'St Andrews Cross' trousers! My son was with me and the crowds were with me all the way - I don't think I'll ever get over the crowds screaming and shouting out 'Scotland!'

You've played in every tournament since the Trilby Tour started - what is it that keeps you coming back for more?
Quite simply it's the greatest Amateur tournament I have ever seen. My son Simon entered this year as well; he didn't qualify but he loved it and is coming back next year.

I don't think I'll ever get over the crowds screaming and shouting 'Scotland!'

How do you feel you played?
I would say it was one of the best games of golf i ever played. I hit the ball very well and I putted extremely well. I enjoyed the cameras being there and the crowds - I'm a bit of a showoff. I enjoy that side of things, everyone needs their fifteen minutes of fame.  

What are your thoughts on the final?
I'm just playing a golf with two guys I don't know - that's where my focus will be. It doesn't matter what they do, it will just be about me on the day. I'm going to stay focused and try my best.

I served in the first Gulf War but the play-off was far more nerve-wracking

Tell us about your experience of the playoff
I was absolutely terrified - it was the most nerve-wracking experience of my life. I'm an ex-army man and served in the first Gulf War but playing in the play-off was far more nerve-wracking for me!

What would winning the Trilby Tour Championship mean to you?
It would be absolutely massive. It would be like winning the Masters - my Masters.

Tell us a little about your background
I played pitch and putt with my father when I was a young boy playing at a nine-hole in Hazlehead, Aberdeen which was a council-run pitch and putt course. We'd spend weekend afternoons there. Then my son took it up seriously four years ago so I did too. He's going to Miami soon to study business and play golf for 4 years.

My motto in life? All good things should be shared

What's your motto in life?
All good things should be shared.

Who's your golf hero?
Sam Torrance. I have always admired his achievements in golf in Scotland - the way he conducted himself and never took anything too seriously. I had the pleasure of meeting him and playing golf with him at Stoke Park a few years. He was an absolute gentleman and a very funny man.

See full results of the Scotland Championship here

 

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