Sam plays Letters clubs again - after 40 years!

Nearly 40 years after signing his first professional contract with John Letters of Scotland, Ryder Cup legend and TV golf analyst Sam Torrance has rejoined the equipment brand.

A delighted Torrance, aiming to win a fourth European Seniors Tour Order of Merit and his first British Seniors major at Carnoustie in July, commented this week: “It’s lovely; I’m back to my roots. The first contract I ever had was with John Letters and I signed that at the end of 1971.”

With over 43 professional wins, eight Ryder Cup appearances and victory as European Ryder Cup captain, Torrance epitomises the character of Scottish golf.

John Andrew, managing director of John Letters of Scotland Ltd, said: "We are delighted to add Sam to our playing staff. With both our roots in Scotland, Sam provides the perfect fit with the Letters brand.”

Still hunting his first major title, Torrance has turned to John Letters, as he did some 40 years earlier, in a bid to secure the elusive crown.

“The John Letters Company was a huge help to me back then” says Torrance, who was awarded an OBE in 2003 after leading Europe to victory over the Americans in the 2002 Ryder Cup.

“John Letters’ brother, Jimmy, actually got me the job at Sunningdale as an assistant pro in 1971 and it was there that I met Norman Mackenzie who sponsored me on the European Tour.”

He went on to win twice in his first full year with the manufacturers, securing the Lord Derby’s under 25 Matchplay Championship, where he beat another Letters staff player Bernard Gallacher in the semi-finals. He also recalls winning the Radicci Open in Italy.

“My whole career, my whole life, I wanted to win the European Order of Merit and win a major. I never managed either on the main tour, though I finished second, third, fourth, fifth. But since I've been on the Senior Tour I have won the Order of Merit three times and I want to win a Major before I stop playing”  said Torrance.

With a 92-year history of craftsmanship, few can rival the track record of club-making achievements of John Letters  winning the British Open more than any other club maker and at one time having at most of the then, 10-man GB and Ireland Ryder Cup team playing its clubs.

“We have some exciting plans for John Letters," says Andrew "and having a legend like Sam Torrance back on-board as our ambassador is a huge step forward for us. Not only does it reconnect the brand with its past but we are also looking to create some history together.”

With new investors in John Letters of Scotland Ltd and a renewed enthusiasm to extend the brands appeal, UK Golf Distribution, has been tasked with growing the brand globally, which until now had only be available through leading golf retailer Direct Golf UK.

Competition: Win a John Letters holdall

What's your favourite Sam Torrance anecdote? Have you met him, followed him in a tournament or just admired him in sound or vision on your TV screen?

We've got three John Letters holdalls to give away to three submissions from the total entry by Thursday June 4. One entry per post.

CLICK HERE to enter...