Camanachd Association congratulates member Robert MacIntyre on maiden PGA Tour Victory

The Camanachd Association extends heartfelt congratulations to Robert MacIntyre on his remarkable victory at the RBC Canadian Open, his first on his debut season on the PGA Tour. MacIntyre, a proud son of Oban and a keen shinty player for Oban Celtic, has etched his name in history by picking up his maiden victory in remarkable circumstances, which including battles to get his father through America’s visa system.

MacIntyre’s journey from a promising amateur golfer to a Ryder Cup standout has been nothing short of inspirational. His performance at the 2019 Open Championship and subsequent victories in the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown and 2022 Italian Open showcased his exceptional talent. These victories, along with numerous top ten finishes in some of golf’s biggest events, along with his stellar performance in the Ryder Cup, where he remained unbeaten, demonstrated his ability to excel on the world golfing stage.

The weekend  triumph in Canada was made even more special with his father, Camanachd Cup winner and opening goalscorer in the famous “Fairy Tale” Centennial Camanachd Cup Final in 1996, Dougie MacIntyre, serving as his caddie. (Robert’s uncle Gordon (Dougie’s brother) famously scored the winner having lost an eye some months before and making a remarkable recovery to win the game.)

Dougie, Head Greenkeeper (or “grass-cutter” as he modestly referred to himself) at Oban’s Glencruitten Golf Club, provided invaluable support over four days in Canada and shared in the emotional moments of victory. Their story, one of sport’s greatest ever tales,  underscores the powerful bond between father and son and the importance of family in Bob’s golfing  and life journey. Bob’s grandfather, also Dougie, was a shinty player and sportsman of note and featured for a number of years in the opening sequence of BBC Scotland’s television’s sporting programme introductory sequence.  So he has a magificant pedigree and sense of tradition on which he draws regularly.

Bob’s success is a testament to his resilience, dedication, and the strong sporting foundation he has built through shinty,  which he referred to repeatedly in his triumphant four days in Canada.  If ever there was an argument that that shinty and golf can be transferred genetically, here we have it.

CA President Burton Morrison said: “Robert’s achievements are a source of immense pride for the shinty community and serve as an inspiration to young athletes across Scotland. The Association and all its members celebrates Robert’s success and look forward to seeing him continue to represent Oban Celtic and the wider shinty community with distinction. We wish him continued success on the PGA Tour and beyond with some challenging weeks ahead on home territory, including two Scottish appearances at the Scottish Open and the main event of the year The Open at Royal Troon.. Congratulations, Bob, and Dougie, on your extraordinary achievement. The shinty world is incredibly proud of you!”