Stirling Uni golfer helps international squad claim Stateside success
Ross Laird was part of the team taking on a US squad in the Ryder-Cup style event held in South Carolina
Stirling Uni golfer Ross Laird is celebrating after securing victory Stateside as part of an international squad in a prestigious team event.
Laird was competing in the Arnold Palmer Cup, an annual team event held between college/university golfers from the United States and an international squad, with this year's event being held at Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina.
The second-year finance student was the only member of the international side to be based outside of the US and came up trumps with a point in the foursomes as the internationals secured a 35-25 win.
The 21-year-old said: 'The week was great – I loved playing and representing Scotland as part of Team International.
'I really enjoyed being able to play as a team and in different formats, and to have the opportunity to learn and meet a lot of new people within the game.
'It meant a lot beating the United States on their home soil too.'
The Ryder Cup-style event is often a milestone for up-and-coming golfers, with many who have competed in the event going on to play on the PGA, LPGA, and European Tour.
Several golf scholars from Stirling have competed in the Cup, including Graeme Robertson, Hazel MacGarvie and Lorna McClymont.
At this year's competition, which ran June 5-7, Laird and partner Elice Fredriksson lost 3&2 in the Mixed Fourball (opponents were three holes up, with two holes left) to Team USA's Mary Kelly Mulcahy and Jase Summy.
In the Foursomes, Laird paired with Filip Jakubcik – beating Team USA's Josiah Gilbert and Michael La Sasso - who will compete in this week's US Open - 2&1.
In the Mixed Foursomes, Laird and Caitlyn Macnab were beaten by Meghan Ganne and Jacob Modleski 6&5, before Laird lost his singles match to La Sasso by the same margin.
It was Team International's first win in the series since 2022, and the first time they had won in the United States since 2020. Team USA now leads the series 15-13, with one draw.
The university's head of golf, Dean Robertson, added: 'A huge congratulations to Ross on a fantastic win with Team International at the Arnold Palmer Cup. Ross played an important part in a brilliant competition, and he should be proud of his efforts.
'Ross continues to grow and develop as a golfer and experiencing major international competitions such as the Arnold Palmer Cup will strengthen his game.'
The win in South Carolina is just the latest success for Laird.
Last season, he was crowned the best male student golfer in the UK, winning the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Order of Merit.
He was second in this year's Order of Merit, and has recently returned from Spain, where he represented Scotland at the Men's European Nations Championships. Notably, he also finished tied fifth in last year's Torneo Internacional Copa Juan Carlos Tailhade competition in Argentina.
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