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The difference this season is that he will have the backing of the Highland Institute of Sport. When first talent spotted for the SGU Highland Academy in 2004 Calum was a slip of a lad, dwarfed by older members who could out drive him. But a lot has happened in the last four years.

“The five others were three years older than him and were hitting the ball three times as far as him,” said his coach Stuart Morrison, the new Professional at Tain Golf Club.  “It was a lot for a youngster to take on that early.

“But though he was the smallest it didn't phase him.  He answered them with his short game and when we did exercises in pitching and putting he came out on top all the time. 

“Now he's physically a totally different player, twice the size of two years ago.  On the Academy programme he's come from being the young whipper snapper to the one the guys are looking up to.  Even guys older than him are using him as the benchmark.”

As a member of the SGU National under 16 squad (Development) in 2007, Calum made the team for the Tri Nations event against Holland and Wales.  With the new season just weeks away, the timing of his selection to the Highland Institute is perfect.

Scotland's Area Institute of Sport network helps Scottish governing body-identified athletes by providing high performance expertise.  Its expert teams work together to deliver essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, and give career and lifestyle guidance. This new support has been greeted with equal enthusiasm by both coach and pupil. Calum, a 3.1 handicap, is aware his physical conditioning could be better.

“The Highland Institute will help me do things with my coach that I couldn't do before, like flexibility and strength work,” he said. 

“They've got me on a programme, it's all new to me but it is making a difference.”

Having seen the Highland Institute of Sport help another of his protégés, Chris Gaittens, Stuart fully endorses the Institute's support services.

“We are coaching kids at a very high level at the same time as their bodies are developing so you have to be careful to not cause damage and identify any weaknesses in their development,” he said. 

 “The programme has been developed specifically for golfers and the strength and conditioning training is aimed at the muscles that are required for golf. There's a lot of core strength work and flexibility too. 

“Chris Gaittens is in year three with me and also supported by the Highland Institute.  The difference he has made is very evident.  The kids that are in a position to get strength and conditioning support have a far better understanding of their own bodies and what they can and can't do. 

“They are able to generate power without trying whereas the kids that haven't had it think they have to belt the ball to make it go further.

“A lot of kids develop and their golf gets worse because it takes time to adjust to the fact their body isn't the same as it was six months ago.  He's now moving with it and adapting his golf as when he stops growing he should have a head start on a lot of people.”

Whilst Calum's extra power will develop his driving skills, the Scottish climate will ensure that his short game is not neglected. 

“The nearest indoor range is at Inverness, at least an hour and a quarter away,” he said.  “So if the weather's bad I just concentrate on putting.”

If 2008 is anything like last year, there's a very strong chance his putting skills will flourish.