Rising golf star Marcello clinches Drumpellier golf title

Aug 6 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

AN Airdrie golfer has become one of the youngest-ever to be crowned club champion at Drumpellier Golf Club.

In Saturday’s club championship over the prestigious Coatbridge course, Marcello Russo claimed the Weir Cup by two shots from nearest rival Scott Douglas, with Wilson Bryson finishing third.

Russo, 22, the 2007 Lanarkshire County Match-Play champion, won the title after a level par first round of 71, followed up with a four-under 67. He also lifted the Harry Barnsley Memorial Salver, the Drumpellier GC handicap prize on the same day.

Up against the elements in the morning round, he birdied the second and third holes to get to two-under before dropping two shots at the par three seventh, and then completed the round in regulation figures.

In the afternoon, conditions worsened, and he was two-over through eight after dropping shots at the third and fourth, before a sensational string of birdies at holes nine, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 17 to come back in a remarkable 30 shots, with just 12 putts.

Over the two rounds, Russo had help from caddie Graham Rankin, a former European tour professional and a five-time Drumpellier club champion.

His victory follows on from the five club titles won by his father Gino at Airdrie Golf Club and brother Stefano in 2001.

Marcello said: “I am very honoured to have my name on the Drumpellier board alongside the likes of legends such as Alan Ferguson, who has won it 14 times, as well as Graham Rankin and Wilson Bryson.”

The young golfer outlined a four-year programme for himself with the aim of turning to the pro circuit by the age of 25.

He added: “It is an exciting time for me. Graham was a great help to me on Saturday, giving me advice as to what I was doing and it was interesting to learn from someone with so much experience on the European circuit.”

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

“The amount of changes I have made have been terrific and things are starting to gel together, particularly with the number of tournaments I have throughout this season,” added Marcello.

He took up golf at the age of seven and joined Airdrie Golf Club at the age of 10. The following year, he 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 Golf Club team playing in the First Division of the Lanarkshire League, competing against the cream of county golf.

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

Saturday’s victory, coupled with that of the Lanarkshire title last summer should just be the start of a glittering golfing career for Marcello.

He has five 72-hole events lined up between now and the end of the season - the Amateur Champion Gold Medal at Leven Links this weekend, the North East District Open at Newburgh the week after, the North of Scotland Amateur championship at Nairn on August 23/24, the South of Scotland event at Duddingston on August 30/31 and the Newlands Trophy at Lanark Golf Club on September 6/7.

Throughout the winter months Marcello will also be competing in the Division One of The Lothians League, representing Craigielaw Golf Club which he hopes will help keep his game up to scratch during the close season.