Paul Lawrie expands foundation into Highlands

• Former Open champion expands junior initiative’s reach
• North-East foundation will now have a Highlands branch
• “This is an exciting development,” says Lawrie

The Paul Lawrie Foundation has started a new chapter in its history, announcing an expansion of activities into the Highland region of Scotland.

In the 14 years since its inception, the foundation has assisted children from Paul’s native North-East to experience and enjoy golf through the provision of flag and Stableford competitions in various age groups, as well as supporting U18s Junior Opens and offering professional coaching to a large number of children through the foundation’s academy, based at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre.

Over time, and thanks to the support of the Foundation’s existing sponsors, the programme has grown to include a stable of 11 playing professionals and also lends backing to football teams, a rhythmic gymnastics club, and talented individuals involved in swimming, tennis and table tennis, amongst other sports.

The Highlands expansion is being backed by four ‘Founding Sponsors’: Cairngorm Windows, Clubhouse Hotel, Hawco Group and The Nairn Golf Club.  The support of these local businesses will allow the foundation to stage a number of events similar to those provided by PLF as part of the North-East programme’s activity and also provide expert coaching, led by PGA professionals, in a number of locations throughout the Highland region.

Speaking at The Nairn Golf Club, Lawrie outlined the decision to extend the activities of his foundation.

“It’s an exciting development for the foundation,” he said. “I’m grateful, of course, to the Founding Sponsors of the Highland programme for their backing and understanding of what it is we want to do.

“The Paul Lawrie Foundation moving into the Highlands is great news for everyone involved in the sport here.” – Fraser Cromarty, CEO, The Nairn Golf Club

“I sat down with representatives of each of the organisations here at The Nairn Golf Club a few weeks ago to outline our plans, ideas and aspirations. All of them could see straight away the benefits of what we do and our vision for the foundation in the Highlands. They are all locally based companies and organisations who want to see more opportunities for the children in the area. I am looking forward to working with them to get more kids participating in and enjoying this great game.”

Fraser Cromarty, CEO of The Nairn Golf Club and chairman of the Highland Golf Links partnership organisation, said: “The Paul Lawrie Foundation has done a fantastic job promoting and supporting junior golf in the north east of Scotland and moving into the Highlands is great news for everyone involved in the sport here.

“Junior golf needs all the encouragement it can get and having the support of such an iconic figure and major champion like Paul Lawrie gives everyone a tremendous lift. The help from the foundation will go hand in hand with the work that clubs and other bodies are doing to help young players.

“I strongly believe that sport in general, and golf in particular, can teach young people so much, like discipline and etiquette, which will help them for the rest of their lives.

“With the help of professional coaches, our juniors will get the best opportunity to develop their talent, compete at the highest level and, hopefully, one day we can produce a champion from this area.”

Paul Lawrie Foundation :: Find out more

For more information on Paul Lawrie’s junior golf foundation, log-on to www.paullawriefoundation.co.uk

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor