Marcello aims to uphold family tradition at champions event

Apr 2 2008 Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

AN Airdrie golfer will this week be bidding to win the Scottish area champion of champions event at Leven Links in Fife.

Marcello Russo (22) won the Lanarkshire County Match-Play championship at Airdrie Golf Club last July, beating home club player Steven Rennie by one hole in the final, to qualify for the highly prestigious event.

Remarkably Marcello’s father, Gino (61) won the same Lanarkshire title 31 years previous.

The Champion of Champions at Leven Links will be played over 72 holes, over two days, on April 5 and 6, with all of the regional champions from throughout Scotland taking part.

Marcello will be representing Lanarkshire and he is hoping to be in top form for the event.

He said: “It is the first major tournament in the Scottish golf calendar this year.

“Naturally, I am delighted to be representing Lanarkshire at the tournament.

“t will be great experience for me as I am now playing as a full-time amateur.”

The young golf ace has outlined a four year programme for himself with the aim of turning to the professional circuit by the age of 25 - and one day taking part in the British Open Championship itself as well as other major golfing tournaments.

He added: “It is an exciting time for me and one I am thoroughly enjoying.”

Marcello has been working all winter with his new coach, former Scottish PGA champion, professional Colin Brooks of the Braid Hills Driving Range in Edinburgh.

He has been working on a weekly basis addressing all parts of his game and he strives to improve.

“The amount of changes I have made to my game have been terrific.

“Things are starting to gel together and hopefully it will give me a head start on others, particularly with the number of tournaments I have pencilled in for my schedule for the season.

“Hopefully it will allow me to put a string of good scores together.”

He took up golf at the age of seven, joined Airdrie Golf Club at the age of 10 and the following year became a member of Drumpellier Golf Club, which has been his home club for the last three seasons.

Marcello has been a regular member of the Drumpellier GC team playing in the First Division of the Lanarkshire League, competing against the cream of county golf.

He added: “The experience has definitely helped me to improve my own game and gave me the incentive to make this progression to full-time amateur.”

After the Leven Links event Marcello will be taking part in the prestigious Edward Trophy at Glasgow Gailes and the biggest tournament of the year will be the Scottish Amateur Championship at Carnoustie, where the British Open was held last season. That will be held at the end of July into the beginning of August.

He added: “All of the main tournaments are held over links courses, which I have not been used to, so I have also joined Craigielaw Golf Club in the Lothians to stand me in better stead.

“It is much more windier on these courses as opposed to parkland courses within the west of Scotland. It will help me adapt my game to the links style.”

As well as the basic coaching the young golfer is also addressing a health and fitness programme, and is aiming to lose three stones before the main schedule kicks off at the start of May.

He said: “Fitness is so important these days, and helps with the mental side of golf at the same time.

“It will help me in my main aim to finish in the top ten of the Scottish Golf Union Order of Merit.”