A GOLFING legend got in the swing of things at Gourock’s £190,000 indoor training centre.

Sam Torrance, former Ryder Cup champion and captain, made a surprise visit to the golf club and was impressed with the state-of-the-art development suite.

The talented sportsman said the facility was unique and believed it was the only practice centre of it’s type in Scotland.

Allan Warwick, general manager of the club, said: “We asked Sam Torrance, an ex-Ryder cup winner who originates from Largs if he would come to open the facility. 

“He has an elderly mother who still lives in the town, and within 24 hours notice he said he was available.”

Allan says he and members of the club were delighted by the visit.

He said: “Our aim is to revitalise junior golf not only at Gourock Golf Club, but in the local area, and Sam said he totally endorsed what we were doing. 

“All juniors not just club members, anyone under 18 can use the centre for free.

“Sam was very impressed by our facility and said the equipment was identical to his golf club at Sunningdale.”

Club captain Ian McNaughton said: “He liked the facility and was impressed that this was the only one of it’s kind in Scotland.”

But this wasn’t the first time the celebrated golfer and commentator had been to Gourock Golf Club.

He played in an exhibition match there in the 1970s.

Allan said: “He was amazed by the views. He had been here before, albeit 40 years ago, but he was blown away by the scenery we enjoy.

“So he has a link with Gourock and had good memories of the place.”

The purpose-built facility features a high-tech simulator, which allows golfers to play a round at world-famous courses, including Carnoustie, Troon, Royal Birkdale and places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi — all in real-time or custom weather conditions.

Inside there are two bays, which can be used as a virtual driving range or for playing a full 18 holes, comfy leather seats, flat-screen TVs, a kitchen, hot drinks machine and an equipment area. 

The sports star was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid-1970s to the late 1990s, with more than 20 tour wins.

As well as success playing in the Ryder Cup, he also was the winning non-playing captain of the European Ryder Cup team in 2002.

He has been awarded the MBE and OBE for his contribution to sport.

Club professional Derek Watters said: “He’s a legend, a European Tour winner more than 20 times and a former Ryder Cup Captain.

“I used to teach along with his father Bob Torrance, I knew his father very well and I met him when I was a young Professional at Largs Golf club.

“He was very engaging and interested in the facility. He said he is keen to return to use the practice facility himself.”