The world’s leading long-distance golfer did not disappoint an enthusiastic crowed on Speyside yesterday as he crushed a celebratory challenge set by a Moray distillery.
Pro-golfer Joe Miller was set the task of striking a ball over the seven Tomintoul Distillery warehouses — a distance of over 350 yards — to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the malt whisky specialist.
Concerns that poor weather could put a dampner on proceedings at Glenlivet Estate were short-lived, as a tail wind and warm sunshine set the perfect stage.
Blasting ball after ball over 400 yards, the 6ft 4in, 19-stone golfer cleared the warehouse buildings with such ease that production manager Tom Gerrie started to fear for his house – located at the back of the distillery car park.
Mr Miller’s furthest effort soared 449 yards and he reached club speeds of over 150mph and ball speeds of about 212mph.
With average long-drive tour speeds of 112mph, the 30-year-old said he was happy he was able to put on a show for such a special occasion.
He said: “Our main goal here today was to clear the distillery, and we’ve done that.
“After that it was about the 450-yard mark.
“You need a good golf swing to drive long distance.
“When you are swinging at that speed, you are swinging at such speed the accuracy you need to produce us far superior and there is a lot of technique involved, which you combine with gym work.
“You are pushing off when you strike the ball, almost like a high-diver.
“It has been great to be in Tomintoul today.
“Now, this next few months are seriously busy leading up to the World Championships in Oklahoma in October and hopefully I can celebrate a win with some seriously nice malt whisky.”
The distillery owners, Angus Dundee, is one of Mr Miller’s main sponsors.
Terry Hillman, who founded the company in 1950, watched on with his children Tania and Aaron, who own the company, and his grand-children.
Mr Hillman said: “It is absurd how far he can hit the ball. It makes me not want to play golf.
“We thought it would be a lovely idea because if you ask anyone what they know about Scotland, they say scotch.
“We are the Rolls Royce of drinks — that is what whisky is — so we wanted to do something special to mark our 50th year.”