Paul Lawrie, Scotland’s leading player on The European Tour last year, has further strengthened his support for junior golf with his Foundation announced as the new sponsor of the Scottish Boys Championship.
First played in 1935, the event is one of the most famous titles in Scottish Golf and will become the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Boys Championship when the country’s 256 young golfers line up at Murcar Links in Aberdeen from April 9 – 14.
The deal, announced at Ryder Cup 2014 host venue Gleneagles, marks the first time a professional golfer in Scotland has sponsored a SGU national championship event and underlines Lawrie’s commitment to junior golf, following the establishment of the Paul Lawrie Foundation 11 years ago. Among its supported graduates is David Law, who won the Scottish Boys Championship in 2009 before going on to claim two Scottish Amateur Championship titles.
Larwie, The 1999 Open Champion who finished 18th in the Race to Dubai last season, said: “We are delighted to be lending our support to the Scottish Boys Championship and strengthening what is already a fantastic event. It is championship with a rich history and one which attracts the best young golfers from all over Scotland.
“The Paul Lawrie Foundation is committed to supporting junior golf and increasing the opportunities for our young golfers to develop. We are proud to be working towards these goals alongside the Scottish Golf Union and confident our sponsorship can enhance what has already been achieved.”
The Scottish Boys Championship provides the traditional kick-start to the domestic amateur golf season and attracted players from more than 140 different clubs in 2011, when Troon Welbeck’s David Wilson emerged as the champion, defeating Liam Johnston at the second extra hole after a remarkable comeback.
The event has been staged at some of Scotland’s most historic venues, including North Berwick, Royal Aberdeen, West Kilbride and Dunbar, and returns to Lawrie’s native north-east in April when Murcar Links hosts the championship for the third time. Previous winners include Andrew Coltart (1987) and Steven O’Hara (1998), while recent champions Michael Stewart and James White, in addition to Law, have progressed to achieve great success in the Men’s game.
In welcoming Lawrie’s support, SGU chairman Douglas Connon said: “This sponsorship is a great boost for the Scottish Boys Championship and highlights Paul’s fantastic commitment to helping develop young golfers across Scotland.
“He is a superb ambassador for Scottish Golf and a great role model for young sportsmen and women to follow, given how he conducts himself on and off the course. He has been a trailblazer already through what he has achieved with the Paul Lawrie Foundation and we are delighted to have him on board as one of our growing list of sponsors.”
Entries for the 2012 Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Boys Championship will open at the end of January with a handicap limit of 6.4, costing £36.
This year’s Scottish Hydro Boys Order of Merit will also include the Paul Lawrie Foundation Junior Jug Final, taking place at Elgin (September1-2).
