Ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, some of the world’s top golfers showed their support for the tournament’s official charities in a stylish way – by wearing traditional Scottish tartan trews while playing in the Pro-Am on Wednesday.
Every professional who donned tartan at Castle Stuart Golf Links donated £500 to the Scottish Open title sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management, with all proceeds being shared by Connecting Carers and Maggie’s Highlands.
Six leading golfers got into the Scottish spirit of the event and wore tartan trews during their round at Castle Stuart: Scotsmen Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird, Defending Champion Jeev Milkha Singh and European Ryder Cup stars Padraig Harrington, Nicolas Colsaerts and Miguel Angel Jiménez all took part.
Scotmen Lawrie and Laird are accustomed to wearing tartan, whereas for others such as Colsaerts this was something out of the ordinary.
Colsaerts said: “The tartan trews I’m wearing today are a bit brighter and more colourful than the trousers I normally play golf in, but when I heard of this initiative being run by Aberdeen Asset Management for charity, I wanted to be a good sport and take part in it!”
Harrington said: “Connecting Carers and Maggie’s Highlands are both very worthy charities, and I’m delighted to be wearing my new specially made pair of tartan trews in support of them in today’s Pro-Am which, together with five fellow players, will help us all stand out from the crowd.”
The tartan trews were specially tailored by Brian Halley, who collaborated with Highlands based couturier Sandra Murray on the project.
Lynda Affleck, Head of Charitable Giving at Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “In addition to the usual charity fundraising undertaken at the tournament, we wanted to do something a little different this year so came up with the idea of tartan trews for the players. As well as generating further funds, we wanted to raise awareness of the important work carried out by the tournament charities.
“We are delighted that so many top golfers agreed to take part and I am sure everyone will agree they look very smart in the various tartans they are wearing.”
