In a press conference yesterday at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre on the outskirts of Aberdeen, the 1999 Open Champion, together with the PGA, announced three separate initiatives in support of professional golf in Scotland.
Firstly, the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre will be headline sponsor of this year's Northern Open Championship to be contested at Murcar Golf Links on June 17-19. First staged in 1931, the Northern Open is one of only two 72-hole events on the Tartan Tour calendar. It's an event that Paul has a strong affinity with.
"I remember fondly playing the Northern Open so it's nice to be part of that history," he said. "Murcar was on the rota of courses that regularly hosted the Northern Open, so it's good to see it back in Aberdeen."
Murcar Golf Club captain David Grant commented, "It's a great honour that the PGA and sponsors are taking such a prestigious tournament back to Murcar Links. We are delighted to host the 2014 Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Northern Open and will extend a warm welcome to players, officials and spectators."
The support of the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre will result in an increased prize-fund of £35,000 for the 2014 championship.
"A number of the young guys on the Tartan Tour are looking forward towards the big tours," he said. "It's great to be able to offer 54 and 72 hole events domestically. It gives the players more of an idea of what to expect and how to deal with the longer tournaments."
The field size for this year's Paul Lawrie Invitational will be increased from 66 to 72 players and will carry a prize fund of £40,000 - £5,000 up on last year.
"My invitational was always designed to bring together some of the younger, up-and-coming talents in Scotland and give them a chance to test themselves against experienced PGA pros and one or two guys playing at the highest level," said Paul "We've grown the event year on year and the fact it's now an Order of Merit counter on the Tartan Tour strengthens the schedule."
There are to be five events this year at - Fairmont St Andrews, Murcar Links, Dundonald Links, Macdonald Cardrona and Marriott Dalmahoy. Each will have a prize fund of £6,000 and, this season, the tournaments will be contested over 36-holes rather than a single round as they were last year.
"We want to provide a platform for the lady pros and amateurs to prepare for the day they tackle Q school and beyond," said Paul. "Getting them used to playing two-round tournaments is a step in that direction."
Brian Mair, secretary of the PGA in Scotland expressed his thanks for Paul's support. "Not only does Paul continue to compete at the highest level, but his ever-increasing backing for grass-roots golf and the domestic circuit makes him a tremendous ambassador for golf and the north east of Scotland."
