Turned 50 in October 2004, he has earned a deserved reputation as a fine TV commentator but what is sometimes forgotten is that prior to picking up a microphone, he was also a golfer of considerable repute. Learned the game from his father, Jimmy, the club professional at Baberton in Edinburgh, and while still an amateur won the Scottish Boys Championship, the Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship and the World Junior Championship, all in 1971. Turned professional later that year, proceeding to win twice in Africa at the 1980 Zambia Open and the 1984 Nigeria Open, before persistent putting problems brought his competitive career to a premature end. Victory eluded him on The European Tour although he did produce several fine performances, notably in 1979 when he finished third at the SOS Talisman Tournament Players Championship and in 1981 when he came third at the Bob Hope British Classic. Had a lucky escape on May 11, 1985, when he and a friend, Mike Farrar, survived the fire that killed 58 spectators at Bradford City’s home game against Lincoln City.