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 | | | | | | Quick Facts | | | Birthdate: 24 August 1953 | | Birthplace: Largs, Scotland | | | Age: 49 Ht: 5ft 11in (180 cm) Wt: 13st 7lb (86kg) | | | Home: Wentworth, Surrey | | | Country: Scotland | | | Turned Professional: 1970 | | | |
| Previous Ryder Cup Appearances | | | (8) 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 | | European Tour Victories | | |
(21) 1976 Piccadilly Medal, Martini Internationa; 1981 Carrolls Irish Open; 1982 Benson & Hedges Spanish Open, Portuguese Open; 1983 Scandinavian Enterprise Open, Portuguese Open; 1984 Tunisian Open, Benson and Hedges International, Sanyo Open; (play-off); 1985 Johnnie Walker Monte Carlo Open; 1987 Lancia Italian Open (play-off); 1990 Mercedes German Masters; 1991 Jersey European Airways Open; 1993 Kronenbourg Open, Heineken Open Catalonia, Honda Open (play-off); 1995 Murphy's Irish Open (play-off), Conte of Florence Italian Open, Collingtree British Masters; 1998 Peugeot Open de France
| | International Victories | | |
1980 Australian PGA Championship
| | Other Tournament Victories | |
1972 Radici Open (It), Under-25 Match Play Championship
1975 Zambian Open
1978, 80, 85, 91, 93 Scottish Professional Championship
1979 Colombian Open
| | Player Notes | |
Sam Torrance's appointment as European Ryder Cup captain for The 34th Ryder Cup Matches at The De Vere Belfry was a perfect example of combining nostalgia with common sense. It was at the superb Midlands complex that Torrance, already a household name in Britain through his successful exploits on The European Tour, found global fame as the man who sank the historic putt which saw the Ryder Cup returned to European shores for the first time since 1957.
So when a new leader was required to succeed Mark James for the 34th edition of golf's greatest team event, it was impossible to overlook the claims of a highly popular, highly respected and vastly experienced Ryder Cup campaigner with eight 'tours of duty' under his belt.
Torrance delivered the winning point against Andy North on the final green in 1985 - and that defining moment for Europe in the glittering history of the competition ensured that Torrance's name would always be written in large neon letters whenever discussions arise surrounding Ryder Cups at The Belfry.
It remains his most cherished moment in a remarkable 30-year career as a playing professional on The European Tour which has seen the popular Scotsman accumulate no fewer than 21 titles on his home Tour and ten others worldwide.
"I have many fond memories, but that particular moment in 1985 will stay with me forever. Nothing else comes close, not even my Tour wins," says Torrance.
His golfing passion began in earnest at the age of nine, four years after his father, Bob, the highly respected coach and club professional, introduced him to the game at Rossendale GC, Lancashire, England.
By then, Torrance Snr had taken up the post at Largs Routenburn GC in Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland, not far from two of the world's greatest links courses, Royal Troon and Turnberry.
Torrance proved to be a good pupil and a quick learner. He recalled: "The first time I broke 40 at Rossendale I rushed in to tell my dad and he didn't believe me. We then went back to the course together and I did it again!" As a youngster, he became hopelessly addicted to golf, playing three rounds a day - "sometimes four," he added - during the long, light summer nights in Scotland.
He left school at 13 and was employed in a variety of odd-jobs, including erecting television aerials and working in a supermarket, until turning professional in 1970 at the age of 16.
In 1971 he was sponsored by wealthy Sunningdale members, Angus Mackenzie and his sons, Norman and Gerald, to play on The European Tour. He managed to play only one tournament that year, the Agfa Gevaert at Stoke Poges, where he finished 39th and won the princely sum £35 to be ranked 232nd on the Order of Merit.
The following season he finished 37th on the money list with £1,732 and collected the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award on The European Tour. It was the first of 29 consecutive seasons Torrance has played on the Tour, during which time he has accumulated 5,076,765 euro to stand in tenth place on the career money list.
Torrance had to wait until 1976 to record his first victory in the Piccadilly Medal at Finham Park. Many others followed and he is especially proud of his victories in the 1981 Carrolls Irish Open at Portmarnock and the same title 14 years later in a play-off at Mount Juliet.
Of becoming the latest in a long line of well-respected European captains, he said: "It's a fabulous honour to be named European captain. I've never made a secret of how much I enjoy being part of the Ryder Cup, and to be the captain makes me feel very proud. It has been a privilege to be involved with four wonderful and very different Ryder Cup captains in John Jacobs, Tony Jacklin, Bernard Gallacher and Mark James, and each of them is very special in their own way. Hopefully, I can take a little of what I have learned from all of them to live up to the very high standards set by my peers."
Background
Accepted the role of European Ryder Cup Team captain for The 34th Ryder Cup Matches, just two months after acting as one of Mark James's assistants at The Country Club, Brookline, in 1999. Played in the contest eight times and has a special affinity with The De Vere Belfry. Holed the winning putt there in 1985 when Europe ended a 28-year drought in the event. Became the first golfer in European Tour history to notch up 600 tournaments in the 1998 Trophée Lancôme. During 28 years on Tour, he had walked an estimated 14,000 miles, taken just under 150,000 shots and earned approximately £1,600 per round - or £22 a stroke! Now in his 31st season on the Tour. Started under guidance of father, Bob - his one and only coach - at Rossendale in Lancashire before his father returned to Scotland at Largs in Ayrshire. Left school at 13, turned pro at 16, started out on Tour aged 17 and took nine events to make first cut. Won events in the last three decades, the most recent of his 21 titles being Peugeot Open de France in 1998 after hitting a seven wood 'stiff' at the 71st hole. An early pioneer of the broom handle putter. Awarded MBE in 1996.
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Sam Torrance