Former Open Champion Paul Lawrie dropped into the Scotland, the Home of Golf stand at The Open at Royal Troon today to sign autographs for spectators and highlight his own upcoming European Tour event at Archerfield Links in August.
The Aberdonian, who won The Open with an outstanding final-day display at Carnoustie in 1999, will compete in his 24th Open Championship this week at Royal Troon and although he still has aspirations of lifting another Claret Jug, he will have half an eye on preparing for the Paul Lawrie Match Play event in a few weeks’ time.
Lawrie, who has 12 professional wins to his name, was eager to back a tournament in his own country and was delighted with the inaugural staging of the event last year at Murcar Links.
Now the 47-year-old, who is also a vice-captain for the European Team in The 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, hopes the 2016 staging of the Paul Lawrie Match Play will prove just as successful.
He said: “It has always been an aspiration of mine to back a tournament in my home country. Scotland is the Home of Golf and we have the best spectators in the world – as the fans here at Royal Troon will demonstrate this week.
“My fellow players always tell me that it is a special feeling to come to play competitively in Scotland and I am delighted to be able to give back to the country that has given me so much support by bringing another world-class event here.
“Archerfield Links is a fantastic venue and we are confident of yet another extremely strong field. I very much hope that the spectators here at Royal Troon will come over to support the Paul Lawrie Match Play, which continues a fantastic summer of golf in Scotland.”
The event takes place from 4– 7 August and is a 64-man knock out tournament which is part of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai schedule. As per last year ticket prices have been kept low to encourage families to come and spend a day out and watch the players showcase their match play abilities. Adult day tickets are £15, while Under 18’s can enter for free. There will be fun interactive opportunities in the public village along with local food and drink retailers – all making a great day out. Spectators purchasing a ticket at the Paul Lawrie Match Play at Archerfield Links from 4-7 August will be given free access to the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Seniors Open (19-21 August) at the same venue just a few weeks later.
The event also has the backing of VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourism organisation which promotes the country as a key golf events and tourism destination.
Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said: “Golf is one of Scotland’s most famous exports and is a vital part of the visitor economy with the ripple effect felt in shops, hotels, restaurants and a wide variety of other businesses across the country. Hosting high profile events don’t just provide entertainment – they represent a multi-million pound benefit to Scotland – both urban and rural.
“We are lucky in Scotland to have a great ambassador such as Paul Lawrie and his support of the Paul Lawrie Match Play shows how much the country means to him.
“The Paul Lawrie Match Play at Archerfield Links is part of an exciting portfolio of world-class golf events across Scotland in 2016 and we very much hope spectators will come out to support this event, just as they will this week at Royal Troon.”
SUMMER OF GOLF ITINERY 2016
Date: 21 – 24 July
Event: Senior Open Championship
Location: Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus
Date: 22 – 24 July
Event: Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open
Location: Dundonald Links, South Ayrshire
Date: 4 – 7 August
Event: Paul Lawrie Match Play
Location: Archerfield Links Golf Club, East Lothian
Date: 19 – 21 August
Event: Scottish Seniors Open
Location: Archerfield Links Golf Club, East Lothian
Date: 19 – 21 August
Event: Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Location: Old Course, St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, all Fife
VisitScotland www.visitscotland.com