Gordon’s legacyto cancer fightnow £107,000

After its ninth and most recent playing, the annual golf tournament held in memory of Gordon Cowan has hit the stunning total of £107,000 raised for the Beatson Cancer Charity.

The tournamment was started as a tribute to him by pals after the 24-year-old, originally of Rigside but latterly of Lanark’s Mousebank Lane, died of cancer in 1997.

Among the friends who set up the annual, very practical homage to his memory was ex-Scotland and Celtic goalie Rab Douglas; they had first met while pupils at Lanark Grammar School and played with local boy and amateur sides such as Kirkfield United and Tinto Symington.

While Rab went on to a professional football career, Gordon worked with the Borders Development Trust but `kept his hand in’ with the game through goalkeeping for Rigsude Amateurs and refereeing.

When he died cruelly prematurely, Rab and fellow pals Graeme Mathew and Mike Peoples set up the Gordon Cowan Memorial Golf Day at Lanark Golf Club, an event traditionally held on Marches Monday of each Lanimer Week.

The ninth tournament was held last month and the amount it raised took the grand total made for he charity over years ovcer the six figure mark.

In a message of gratitude, Gordon’s parenrs, Jean and Gerry, stated: “This year, with the support of many people, including sponsors, Lanark Golf Club and everyone who bought and sold raffle tackets, Gordon’s pals were able to raise £18,911.50 for trhe Beatson Charitym, taking the total rauised in nine eyars to ovcer £107,000, a truly fantastixc amouint.

“What good ftrioends outr son had and we, his family, cannot thank these boys enough and we will alwasys be eternally grateful to them for keeping Gordon’s memory alive.”

The Beatson Charity described the effort on their behalf as “phenominal” and warmly thanked the trio of Gordon’s friends for making a “tremendous contribution” to their work which, very appropriately, helps young folk deal with the disease.

The charity went on to say that the choice of this cause to benefit from the annual tribute to Gordon couldn’t have been more fitting and useful and continues to be almost two decades after his passing.