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Sam Torrance - his Autobiography
Sam Torrance is one of the most popular and charismatic golfers in the world. He has spent the last three decades at the top of the professional game, but it is his exploits in the Ryder Cup that are truly astounding. As a player in the Ryder Cup, he is famous for his winning putt for Europe on the 18th green at the Belfry in 1985. And it was as captain of the team that Sam was to cap his glorious career, when on the 29th September 2002 Europe regained the Ryder Cup - an event watched by over one billion people worldwide.

Now, in his autobiography, published in the week which marks the first anniversary of the momentous win at the Ryder Cup, Sam, who turns fifty this year, talks openly about the influences on his life. From his youth growing up in Largs, Scotland, where he first acquired his life-long love of golf and gambling, to his wife Suzanne, to whom he proposed on Concorde and married in a surprise wedding at Skibo castle.

He reveals how much his family inspires him from his close relationship with his father who has coached Sam throughout his career, through to his children, including his son, Daniel aged 14, who looks set to carry on the family golfing tradition. Sam relives his elation at sinking the winning putt for Europe in the 1985 Ryder Cup and reveals how over-exuberant antics in the Swiss alps the week before the Ryder Cup brought him close to a disaster which could have caused him to miss the event completely.

He also comments on the dirty US tactics at the 1999 Ryder Cup, and his joy at his superb victory as captain of the European Ryder Cup team in 2002. From his sleepwalking antics, to his love of the broom handle putter and his strong friendship with fellow golfers Sam is a true character.

Sam Torrance The Autobiography charts the highs and lows of his fascinating life and a remarkable thirty years in golf.

Sam Torrance Autobiography is available from all good retailers,

the BBC Internet Shop (www.bbcshop.com) or the BBC Listener Enquiry Line on 0208 433 2236

Sarah Wikner on 2003-11-19