Derek Jamieson is a well-known face in Dundee and surrounding counties as a former photographer with the Evening Telegraph.
For many decades, Derek brilliantly and professionally covered many a Tele scoop with his photographic skils.
He is now retired, though, and is enjoying days on the golf course.
However, just recently, in response to a BwB article, he told me it could all have been oh so different.
“After reading the article in BWB about Ian and Bob Connolly, it brought back fond memories for me,” said Derek, of Broughty Ferry.
“I lived next door to Ian’s mum and dad Bob and Jean with my parents Jack and Edith in Laird Street, St Mary’s, in the 1960s.
“When Ian moved to Welwyn Garden City, he asked me to come down to be his assistant golf professional.
“This was in 1966 and I had just started my career with DC Thomson and I decided to turn him down.
“This was on two counts.
“First, I did not think I was good enough at golf to be a professional golfer.
“Also, at that time, London was a long way for a 16-year-old to be away from home the first time.
“Ian tried hard to persuade me. He said he would coach me and I would then be able to teach members and run the golf shop while he played in tournaments and coached other golfers.
“My father, who was a keen golfer and a member at Downfield, never let me forget that decision even more so when Ian helped Nick Faldo on his way to the success he went on to achieve.
“I continued to play my golf at Camperdown with Ian’s dad Bob, who was a great man and was very proud of his boy’s achievement in sport.
“It was also great to hear about Ian’s sister Helen and her husband Fred, who we also knew had settled well in Australia.
“Like my wife Gwen and I, they are proud grandparents.”
If you’ve got a story to share with John, email: jbrown@dcthomson.co.uk.
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