Lawrie falls out with Meldrum House head

greenkeeper - membership is terminated

FROM TODAY'S PRESS AND JOURNAL
Former Open champion Paul Lawrie has been banned by an exclusive Aberdeenshire golf club for criticising the condition of its greens.
The Aberdonian, a member of £1,500-a-year Meldrum House Golf Club at Oldmeldrum, had a row with its head greenkeeper.
But his comments about the conditon of the greens angered the club's directors who terminated his membership. Mr Lawrie was also told he is no longer welcome to use its practice facilities or work with coach and club head professional Neil Marr at the Aberdeenshire course.
The golfer is understood to have send head greenkeeper Kenny Harper a series of text messages from his mobile phone.
A club source said: " Apparently, it all started off as a bit of a joke, a bit of friendly banter. Paul has known Kenny for years but had not been in touch with him for a while.
"So when the greenkeeper got a text from him saying the Meldrum House greens were in a bit of a state, he was not a happy man.
"Kenny sent an irate text straight back, saying he did not think much of Paul's golfing abilities."
It is understood one of Mr Lawie's texts read:
"Deeside greens awesome, Meldrum House s****."
The source added: "Hopefully, Paul will be man enough to apolgise and the matter will soon be resolved."
Last night, the club said in a statement:
"Meldrum House Golf Club has extended courtesy of its golf course and extensive practice facilities to Paul Lawrie for more than five years and in that time enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship.
"While the club recognises that any member, or qualified individual, has the right to offer constructive input into the course and facilities at Meldrum House, it finds Mr Lawrie's recent conduct towards members of staff wholly unacceptable and certainly not befitting the status he has been granted at the club or as a professional golfer.
"As a result, the directrors have asked Mr Lawrie not to return to Meldrum House. This situation would be reviewed if a full and unreserved apology was made to the club and staff.
"Mr Lawrie's relationship with the club's professional, Neil Marr, his coach for the past two years, is subject to another matter and not for discussion at this time."
Paul Lawrie was formerly attached to Meldrum House but is now affiliated with The Carrick at Loch Lomond course.