Former Open champion talks about Meldrum House situation
Happier days: Paul Lawrie and Meldrum House Golf Club chairman Bob Edwards after Paul had opened the club's practice facilities (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency). Click to enlarge.Paul Lawrie: It's incredible how things can
escalate out of nothing at all
Paul Lawrie, his honorary membership at Meldrum House Golf Club cancelled as well as being told not to return to the Oldmeldrum facility even to meet his coach Neil Marr, has been elaborating on his side of the story:
"I played at Meldrum House during the Easter holidays with my two boys," he recalled. "Afterwards I asked the starter: What's happening with the greens?'. He said it wasn't his department. I then asked the course manager the same question and he said What do you mean?
"I said Well, they're not very good. The ball's bouncing about all over the place and that's unusual for here because they're usually good.' He then said Are you winding me up?' and I said No, it's just my opinion'. I sensed he was not happy with me asking.
"We had a conversation. It was not an argument. There were no voices raised and the whole thing lasted 20 seconds and I went back to the boys. That's all that happened with him.
"A few days later I was playing at Deeside and I texted the head greenkeeper at Meldrum House, Kenny Harper, whom I have known for years upon years. It said: Deeside greens are really good unlike your sh*te.' That's what it said and it was to someone I've known for a long, long time.
"He texted me back: Tiger Woods is really good, unlike ' Meaning me. Now that is a fantastic bit of banter between friends. The next thing I get a letter (from the Meldrum House board of directors) saying: Due to your recent comments and text messages we feel it is in everyone's best interests that you no longer return to Meldrum House Golf Club.
"I swear that is what happened. I sent an e-mail to Bob Edwards, the chairman, explaining that the texts were banter and saying I find it incredible the action he and his directors had taken. I got a strong email back calling me for unprofessional behaviour.
"It's incredible how things can come out of nothing. I believe they want me to apologise for what I've done and I'll be welcome back with open arms, but I would not go back no matter what they did now. You can't treat people like that. I am an honorary member and an Open champion and I have done nothing to apologise for.
"Why couldn't Mr Edwards have phoned me before he sent the letter? He has my phone number. Then I could have explained all this and that it was all a misunderstanding. I merely asked what was happening with the greens and the text to Kenny was banter.
"The story is everywhere now. I was in the players' meeting last night (to decide an increase in Ryder Cup wild cards from two to three) and when I came out I had 14 voice messages. This thing has grown out of all proportion. They are adamant that I was serious about the texts but there is no way I was.
"I wish I had never said what I had said, but if you are a member of a golf club you are entitled to give your comments and opinions, whatever they are. Can you imagine if they banned every member of every golf club in the world who asked what was happening with the greens?
"Neil (Marr, his coach) and I will do our work at Pine Lodge, a driving range in Kemnay. My father built a house there but sold it before they built the range and I like the atmosphere there."
escalate out of nothing at all
Paul Lawrie, his honorary membership at Meldrum House Golf Club cancelled as well as being told not to return to the Oldmeldrum facility even to meet his coach Neil Marr, has been elaborating on his side of the story:
"I played at Meldrum House during the Easter holidays with my two boys," he recalled. "Afterwards I asked the starter: What's happening with the greens?'. He said it wasn't his department. I then asked the course manager the same question and he said What do you mean?
"I said Well, they're not very good. The ball's bouncing about all over the place and that's unusual for here because they're usually good.' He then said Are you winding me up?' and I said No, it's just my opinion'. I sensed he was not happy with me asking.
"We had a conversation. It was not an argument. There were no voices raised and the whole thing lasted 20 seconds and I went back to the boys. That's all that happened with him.
"A few days later I was playing at Deeside and I texted the head greenkeeper at Meldrum House, Kenny Harper, whom I have known for years upon years. It said: Deeside greens are really good unlike your sh*te.' That's what it said and it was to someone I've known for a long, long time.
"He texted me back: Tiger Woods is really good, unlike ' Meaning me. Now that is a fantastic bit of banter between friends. The next thing I get a letter (from the Meldrum House board of directors) saying: Due to your recent comments and text messages we feel it is in everyone's best interests that you no longer return to Meldrum House Golf Club.
"I swear that is what happened. I sent an e-mail to Bob Edwards, the chairman, explaining that the texts were banter and saying I find it incredible the action he and his directors had taken. I got a strong email back calling me for unprofessional behaviour.
"It's incredible how things can come out of nothing. I believe they want me to apologise for what I've done and I'll be welcome back with open arms, but I would not go back no matter what they did now. You can't treat people like that. I am an honorary member and an Open champion and I have done nothing to apologise for.
"Why couldn't Mr Edwards have phoned me before he sent the letter? He has my phone number. Then I could have explained all this and that it was all a misunderstanding. I merely asked what was happening with the greens and the text to Kenny was banter.
"The story is everywhere now. I was in the players' meeting last night (to decide an increase in Ryder Cup wild cards from two to three) and when I came out I had 14 voice messages. This thing has grown out of all proportion. They are adamant that I was serious about the texts but there is no way I was.
"I wish I had never said what I had said, but if you are a member of a golf club you are entitled to give your comments and opinions, whatever they are. Can you imagine if they banned every member of every golf club in the world who asked what was happening with the greens?
"Neil (Marr, his coach) and I will do our work at Pine Lodge, a driving range in Kemnay. My father built a house there but sold it before they built the range and I like the atmosphere there."
Editor's message to Bob Edwards and Paul Lawrie: Sounds like something that could be sorted out over a cup of tea or a pint instead of smouldering on, giving unwelcome publicity to all concerned. I know both men personally and would be happy to be the peace-maker.
Labels: GOLF NEWS
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Thursday, May 14, 2009
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