William Nicol praises help he has received to help him improve his golf while coping with type one diabetes
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Nairn Dunbar Open champion William Nicol says he will not let his type one diabetes stop his ambition of becoming a professional golfer.
The 17-year-old launched a stunning comeback after trailing by three shots after five holes to defeat Fraser Fotheringham 2 and 1 in the final and lift the club trophy for the first time.
The former North of Scotland Under-18 Matchplay champion hopes his victory at his home club will be the next step to becoming a professional.
He says he takes inspiration from Nethy Bridge golfer Hannah McCook who has become a professional golfer while also having type one diabetes.
With the support of family and coaches to help him with his condition, he believes he can realise his dream of turning professional after impressing at youth and amateur level.
“I am hoping to follow in the footsteps of Hannah McCook as like her, I am type one diabetic,” he said.
“It’s always a challenge and a factor that I need to consider, no matter what I am doing.
“But I have received a lot of help from the NHS and the diabetic team.
“Hannah and I are taught by the same coach David Torrance and I have been lucky with him and having good people around me, such as my mum and my sister and grandparents supporting my golf.”
Nicol started playing at Nairn Dunbar 11 years ago. After finishing at Nairn Academy this summer, he is taking a year out to concentrate on improving his golf before planning to study sport science at Stirling University next year.
Nicol cruised through the matchplay rounds into the final of the Nairn Dunbar Open which included a six and five victory over Inverness Golf Club champion Kieran MacKay in the semi final.
But he admitted he had to conjure up fighting spirit after falling three shots behind Fotheringham in the final after five holes before clinching victory at the 17th.
“I won the first hole but lost every hole from there to be three down after five,” he said.
“So to bring it back from three down after five holes, I was shocked I managed to do that but delighted with how I played.
“I had a few bad holes from silly mistakes but turned it around going into the back nine to make it all square at the turn.
“It was all square at 15 and I holed my bunker shot on 16 with an eagle and then to go on to win two and one was a proud moment.”
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