After Dinner Speakers: Sam Torrance, Arthur Smith, Emmylou Harris

Captained the European Ryder Cup Team to victory in The 34th Ryder Cup Matches at The De Vere Belfry, 17 years after holing the winning putt at the same venue which 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. At that time, after 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. 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 professional 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 for services to golf and the OBE in the 2003 New Year Honours List for his inspired captaincy of Europe’s Ryder Cup Team.