Chairman And "liar In Chief"

Meet Ralph Thompson, the big man who does a little bit of everything at Askernish

Asked how he became chairman and "liar in chief" of Askernish Golf Club, Ralph Thompson answers with alacrity. "Self-appointed," he says. "I was the biggest guy, see?"

At 6'5" and 21 stone (294 pounds), Thompson is, indeed, the biggest guy at most gatherings. He's the biggest talker and biggest rascal, as well. So it should surprise no one that he has become the biggest reason that links enthusiasts have heard about the ghost course in the Western Isles.

It was Thompson who lured consultant Gordon Irvine to South Uist to see the mighty dunes. It was Thompson who, as one of the Gang of Five, helped secure community ownership of the island's machair lands. It was Thompson who peddled the first overseas lifetime memberships ... who got Scottish football icon Kenny Dalglish to hit the ceremonial first drive ... who cold e-mailed Bandon Dunes developer Mike Keiser, now the club's overseas angel.

"Ralph's not afraid to speak up and approach people," says Donald MacInnes, the club's captain. "He belongs to the can't-hurt-to-ask school."

Thompson, 55, lived in Aberdeen between the ages of 16 and 32, but he returned to South Uist upon the death of his father, in 1988, taking a job at a community co-op. He runs Aird Ruaraidh Consultancy Services, which, he's the first to admit, doesn't tell you much. "Most people in Uist probably wonder what I do every day," he wrote in a recent e-mail. "Difficult to explain easily, so here is last week's work diary:

Monday Biosecurity analyst

Tuesday Accountant

Wednesday Agricultural chemical adviser and supplier

Thursday Mussel farm manager