The Big Easy makes it simple for engraver Garry
Published 30 Jul 2012 15:00
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VICTORY for Ernie Els at the Open on Sunday caused one man in Dunfermline to be happier than most that it was not won by one of his more exotically named opponents.
It's not that the Claret Jug engraver Garry Harvey has anything against Miguel Angel Jimenez, it's just that with the world's cameras on him Els' shorter name is much easier to fit on the trophy.
Garry bought A.J. Winski jewellers in Dunfermline's Bruce Street with his wife Jeanette in February 2011, but he has made a name for himself as the official engraver of the famous Open Championship trophy for the last nine years.
He inherited the job from his father who ran a jewellers in Perth and engraved the trophy for 33 years.
Jeanette's background is in accountancy and running the jewellers has given the couple the chance to combine their two different sets of skills.
As well as role as the official engraver Garry himself is an accomplished golfer. He played on the European Tour for 12 years, still takes part in senior events on the Scottish tour and even qualified for the Open at Royal Lytham in 1979.
Gary (57) said, "I used to walk past my father's shop when I was around 13 or 14, and I would pop in and learned how to do little bits and pieces.
"I then won the British boys golf title in 1972 and engraved my own trophy, I can't imagine many people can say that!"
Garry now lives with his wife in Crook of Devon and enjoys the star treatment he receives from the tournament organisers every July when the Open begins.
He said, "They put me up and pay for everything, so it's all very nice. I don't think there are many hand engravers about so it's a good job to have.
"You always dream of doing your own name on the trophy; that didn't happen but I'm fortunate enough to still be playing professionally in the odd seniors tour event."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 30 Jul 12
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