Promising Scottish golfer attached to historic club starting to make his mark

The Panmure assistant professional has been the dominant force on the Midland Golfers’ Alliance in recent seasons, winning the winter circuit’s season-ending championship for a third straight season this year.

Boosted by those exploits and receiving both guidance and support from his boss Andrew Crerar at the historic Angus club, Bradburn is now beginning to shine as well on much bigger stages.

He shared top spot with Jack McDonald in the Machrihanish Pro-Am at the weekend as the duo shot four-under-par 67s in an event marking the Argyll & Bute club’s 150th anniversary.

In another eye-catching performance, Bradburn shot rounds of 67-69 at Spey Valley in Aviemore for an eight-under-par total to finish second behind Graeme Robertson in a PGA in Scotland 36-Hole OOM Challenge.

He also qualified in style for the PGA Professional Championship, which takes place at Slaley Hall in a fortnight’s time, by winning a Scottish qualifier at Blairgowrie with a four-under 68.

“Over the past 12 months, I feel my game has improved a lot,” admitted Bradburn, who joined David Scott, the general manager at Dumbarnie Links these days, as the only players to record three straight title triumphs in the Midland Golfers’ Alliance Championship

“In the past, I would play competitive rounds and have five or so birdies but would throw in a few bogeys and maybe a double. I would say the most improved part of my game is reducing the amount of bogeys within a round and picking off the birdies as they come.

“During the winter months, when my shop hours are reduced, I do a lot of practice and I am a big believer that, if you put in the work, the results will come. I have worked with Mike Lander across in St Andrews for a few years now and the swing changes we have worked on are now starting to really show. A big credit to him for all the help he has provided me with over the last few years as my swing is feeling the best it ever has.”

Boss Andrew Crerar is guiding light

Crerar, the long-serving head professional at Panmure, was a top Tartan Tour player himself in his prime and also had a season on the European Tour in 1998. He played in The Open in both 1995 and 1997 and has also teed up in the Senior Open on a couple of occasions.

“Flying the flag for Panmure is a great honour,” added Bradburn, son of Nigel, who is the Royal Deeside Golf Week co-ordinator. “I have been an assistant at the club since 2022 and the members are very supportive, always keen to know how I am getting on and wishing me strong words of encouragement.

“We have a very competitive membership at Panmure, and I manage to get out on the course quite a lot with the members and play matches in a competitive spirit.

“My boss, Andrew, has been probably the biggest supporter of my career so far. Every day we work together, I am always picking his brains. He is still a good with loads of experience and I feel extremely fortunate to have the support he offers. As his assistant, he only wants the best for me so I feel extremely lucky to have him as my boss, always offering his support.”

Bradburn is targeting a strong showing at Slaley Hall, where he was joined by Robertson, former Scottish Amateur champion George Duncan, Craig Matheson, Ross Munro and Daniel Toogood in coming through the Blairgowrie 18-hole shoot-out.

“My plan for this year is to play as many PGA events as possible, along with a few of the local Tartan Pro Tour events,” he said. “I finished in the top 25 in the PGA Order of Merit for 2025, so I am looking to build on a solid season and produce some good results this year, when I also plan to play the Northern Open and Scottish PGA Championship.

“My major goal this year is to make the Arnold Clark PGA in Scotland Tour Championship at Gleneagles in October. That’s an event I have never played in but would love to qualify for.”