Sam Torrance

Introduction

The amazing history of John Letters is well known throughout the golfing industry thanks to years of unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and engineering excellence. No where is this more evident than with the volume of top Professionals that chose to play John Letters equipment, including Open winner Fred Daly and major winners Lee Trevino and Gary Player. All of the Professionals and accomplished amateurs who played John Letters equipment did so for one simple reason - stunning performance!

John Letters' presence on the worldwide professional circuits is now well established with the Senior European Tour player and all round golfing legend Sam Torrance OBE, as well as the likes of European Tour Professional Phillip Archer & Chris Hanson making regular appearances at some of the world’s premier venues.
Torrance turned professional at sixteen and joined the European Tour at seventeen. He achieved his first professional win in 1972 and his first European Tour win in 1976. He won twenty-one times on the European Tour; only fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie has accumulated more European Tour titles without winning one of golf's four major championships. His best finish on the European Tour Order of Merit was second, which he achieved in 1984 and 1995. In total he finished in the top ten on the list ten times. He holds the record for the most appearances on the European Tour, with over 700 events played at the close of the 2008 season. In 2003 Torrance became eligible to play in senior tournaments and he picked up his first win on the European Seniors Tour in 2004. He finished first on the European Seniors Tour's Order of Merit in 2005, 2006, 2009.
Wins: 43 Professional, 21 European Tour, 11 Senior Tour
1st Pro Win: 1972
1st Euro Tour Win: 1976
Order of Merit: Euro Tour - 1984, 1995, Seniors - 2005, 2006, 2009
Residence: Virginia Water, England
Date of birth: 24/08/1953
Place of birth: Largs, Scotland
Family: Wife - Suzanne, Children - Daniel, Phoebe, Anouska
Turned Pro: 1971

Latest on Sam Torrance OBE

John Letters Ambassador Sam Torrance finished 20th in the Order of Merit this season, after a solid 4th placed finish in Mauritius, the final event of the year. Sam only played 17 events with 5 top ten finishes earning over €95000.
Sam has been using the John Letters Master Model irons with Nippon Modus 3 shafts as well as Tour Black Wedges with matching shafts all season. We are currently experimenting with different shaft options to achieve the optimum launch conditions for the new Master Model Black driver.
We are looking forward to working with Sam over the close season testing prototypes and helping Sam fine tune his game for the 2012 season on the European Seniors Tour.
Began playing as a nine year old at Birchwood Golf Club, where his father Derek was a founder member. Turned professional in 1991 and entered the Qualifying School each year between 1994 and 2003, gaining his card in both 1999 and 2002. Also found his way onto The European Tour through the Challenge Tour in 2004, thanks to a victory that season in the Rolex Trophy. Made the cut in his last six tournaments in 2005 to keep his card. Finished a career high 29th in the 2007 Order of Merit. Achieved two tied second-placed finishes, in Andalucia’s Valle Romano Open and later in the Mercedes-Benz Championship while just missed out on a first title, finishing second in the Omega European Masters after a play-off with Brett Rumford. A fan of all sports and an accomplished snooker player, he is also a keen supporter of Manchester United. Has been coached by Mark Pearson for the past eight years.
Residence: Warrington, England
Attachment: Birchwood
Date of birth: 17/03/1972
Place of birth: Warrington, Englands
Height and weight: 5ft 11in 13st
Interests: Football, Manchester Utd, Snooker
Turned Pro: 1991 (Scratch)

Latest on Phillip Archer

John Letters Golf staff player Phil Archer started his season on the Challenge Tour at The Kensville Golf & Country Club, Ahmedabad, India between the 26th – 29th January. The event was staged over 4 rounds in which Archer scored a credible 73, 71, 68, 76, giving him a total of 288 (Par), finishing in 11th place. It was tough conditions in which only 9 players finished under par for the week.
This solid start to the Challenge Tour was off the back of two solid performances on the European Tour in Africa finishing 34th and 52nd respectively.
Archer carried the Master Model Satin irons 3-Pw and Tour Black Wedges 52* & 56*.
John Letters are delighted to have Chris Hanson as part of the John Letters professional tour staff. Huddersfield based Chris turned professional in early 2006 with a stunning handicap of +2.8 and has already shown impressive form on both the 'Challenge' and 'Europro' professional circuits. With Chris in good form, and showing amazing potential John Letters will be right there supporting him every step of the way. With numerous victories under his belt, including a win on the Europro Tour at Bovey Castle in 2006, Chris has become a rising star on the PGA North Region Tour.
Residence: Huddersfield, England
Attachment: Woodsome Hall - Huddersfield
Date of birth: 05/08/1985
Place of birth: Harrogate
Height and weight: 6ft 13st
Family: Mother - Susan Hanson; Father - John Hanson; Grandparents - Dorothy and Terence Knapton; Brothers - Richard and Michael; Wife - Laura Clarke
Turned Pro: 29th March 2006 (plus 2.8)

Latest on Chris Hanson

John Letters staff player Chris Hanson started his rookie season on the Challenge Tour at The Kensville Golf & Country Club, Ahmedabad, India between the 26th – 29th January. The event was staged over 4 rounds in which Hanson scored a credible 72, 73, 73, 77, giving him a total of 295 (+7), finishing in 30th place. It was tough conditions in which only 9 players finished under par for the week.
Hanson carried the Master Model Satin irons 3-Pw with Dynamic Gold X100 shafts and new Master Model Tour Black Fairway.
John Letters are delighted to be supporting Lee, not only on tour, but in his role as John Letters Academy coach at the Stadium Driving range in Huddersfield. As well as looking after the Ladies Group coaching, Lee has a very important role in developing the junior talent of the future. As part of the schools coaching program, Lee spends the Summer introducing school kids to golf and encouraging the development of potential future stars.

Lee was introduced to golf by his Granddad aged 7, using a set of old cut down clubs. A year later he became a member of his first club - Headley golf club in Bradford. Since turning pro in September 2004 Lee has won numerous YPGA events and won the YPGA assistants Order Of Merit in 2006. Lee will be using John Letter equipment as he spends the winter getting ready for next season, where he will play in a the YPGA and PGA North region tours.
Residence: Huddersfield, England
Date of birth: 14/09/1984
Place of birth: Bradford
Height and weight: 5ft 9in 12st
Turned Pro: September 2004 (plus 1.2)
Lowest score: 62, -8, Cleckheaton G.C.

Latest on Lee Shepherd

As a whole this season was very successful with two wins.
I finished in 8th position on the Yorkshire PGA order of Merit, my highest position since turning pro achieving numerous top 5 and top 10 finishes.
Another highlight was qualifying for the PGA National Club Pros at the Belfry in which i hope to improve my finish next year.
I plan on working hard for 2012 by playing in local winter alliance Pro Ams and working closley with John Letters Golf through the winter to fine tune my game.
My tournament schedule will be due to start next February hopefully in an Overseas pro am, I will be entering the British Open qualifying next season (I didn't this year due to getting married!), I have been to the final stage before so would be nice to go one better in 2012.
"Thank you to everybody who has supported me throughout the year especially John Letters, as they have supported me with fantastic equipment support" Lee commented.