Champ Paul Lawrie hands out golfing tips to kids at The Carrick

Jul 10 2009 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

FORMER Open champion Paul Lawrie handed out some top tips to young golf enthusiasts at The Carrick on Loch Lomond golf course this week.

The 1999 winner, together with 19 European Tour stars, was in the area, on the eve of the Barclay’s Scottish Open, for a special fund raising event in aid of the Paul Lawrie Foundation.

Local schoolchildren were invited to the resort to enjoy a short game clinic from Lawrie who was later joined by some of the European Tour’s biggest names, including Darren Clarke, and recently crowned BMW International Open Champion, Nick Dougherty, for a fundraising Pro-Am event.

The foundation was created in 2001 following Lawrie’s outstanding victory at Carnoustie, and has been instrumental in developing golf in youngsters in Aberdeenshire.

“I am very proud of my foundation and am keen to develop it further afield than Aberdeenshire, and hopefully one day unearth a future major champion,” said Lawrie.

“The Carrick course is a great place to welcome guests and it has been fantastic to be able to invite some of my tour friends to enjoy the course and hospitality.

“I would like to thank all the sponsors, players and everyone at The Carrick for a great day, which has hopefully inspired some of Scotland’s next golfing stars.”