IT has recently been ranked one of the best golf courses in Scotland.

And now 24-year-old Liam Gillie, an amateur golfer from Galashiels, has been appointed to the role of Greenkeeper there.

Trump International Golf Links at Balmedie will host the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

It was built by Apprentice host Donald Trump, the real estate mogul and American presidential candidate.

The US businessman, who has described the Aberdeenshire development as one of his greatest achievements, has recently submitted a proposal for a second golf course at the five star site.

Looking forward to starting in his new role next month, Liam told the Border Telegraph: “This is a great opportunity for me. I have seen the course and the hotel, and the facilities are first class.

“It might surprise people, but there is a laid back atmosphere at the club. Most of the staff know each other. But at the same time, they are a hardworking bunch of guys and work to a very high standard.” And he added: “Mr Trump has stated that it is his aim to make the course the best in the world, and we all have a part to play in making that happen.” The former Galashiels Academy pupil, who studied Sports Turf Management at Oatridge College, spent his formative years honing his golf skills at Torwoodlee Golf course, before taking on a job with Whitehill Golf Course in Rosewell, Midlothian.

He is a keen all-round sportsman and has played goalkeeper for various teams in the Border Amateur Football League, most notably with Lauder.

But golf is his main passion, and he currently plays off an eight handicap.

He was recently part of a four man team that won the Stableford tournament at Torwoodlee, along with friends Jamie Green, Greg Swinton and Simon Fairburn.

He hopes the move to Aberdeen will bring his game on further.

“That has to be the aim,” he said. It’s a great place to learn and develop further, both from a career perspective and in terms of my own game. The game of golf is important to me, and now that I have got myself in the door, I’d like to climb the ranks and be Senior Greenkeeper, climb up to First Assistant and you never know, maybe Course Manager one day. “The post came up a few months ago and two guys I went to college with are already working there. They spoke very highly about the place, so I decided that if an opportunity came up, I would have to go for it. I’m glad I did.”