East Kilbride footgolfer Kyle McGreechin has enjoyed a fast rise up the sport’s ranks - and it’s all come within 12 months of taking it up.
After initially playing the sport as a hobby, the teenager has combined football in Blantyre Victoria’s youth academy with his new venture.
McGreechin has already won competitions across the UK but has found funding for tournaments abroad harder to come by due to finances.
Despite his successes, it all came about by chance after a trip to Strathaven’s footgolf course. Things have gone from strength to strength since.
His dad, Martin, said: “We played around a year ago around a year ago as a social thing in Strathaven. We went back because we enjoyed it but when we did, there was a tournament on.
“We were asked to join, so we did. There were two professionals in the tournament and they both said Kyle was good. The Scottish Open was the following week in Greenock and they asked for him to come to it.
“He finished fifth in his first tournament which was really good and things have just gone from there. We got him the proper balls that cost hundreds of pounds and he has started competing.
“Kyle was then fourth at the Welsh Open, finishing second in four events and won another two. As the season went on, his scores were just crazy.”
Footgolf is an emerging sport but the McGreechins were blown away by its popularity. It has turned their perception of it being a party event to one of the nation’s fastest-developing sports.
Martin explained: “It’s a sport everyone thinks is just a stag do thing but I couldn’t believe how serious it was, and how big it is worldwide.
“There are 10 courses throughout Scotland and Cumbernauld is used as a training course for some of the players. They are really growing this sport and there’s been a lot of investment in it.
“Through time, it will become a recognised sport. It is recognised by many countries but we need a few more for it to become an Olympic sport.”
There is still a focus on his football at Blantyre Victoria who have been accommodating to their youngster’s tour schedule, the senior McGreechin adding of his son’s success: “Blantyre Victoria are totally behind him.
“They can see how much it means to him and they can see how much he has developed since taking it on. He does boxing as well so he’s very fit.
“I am playing around five rounds a week with him so it’s good for my fitness too! The last three tournaments of the season he finished first.
“I think the best win for him was going down to Leicester and The Nationals. The whole of the UK is down there for a weekend to play and played against the Open winner’s, winning by eight shots.
“He destroyed the junior field and got a lot of praise. It was quite good to hear.”
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