ABERDEEN ASSET EXTEND SPONSORSHIP OF SGU ELITE SQUAD

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT. Left to right: James Byrne, Philip McLean, David Law, Michael Stewart and Ross Kellett celebrate the SGU’s new sponsorship deal with Aberdeen Asset Management on the rooftop of the company’s Edinburgh office overlooking Princes Street. Picture by courtesy of Alistair Devine/SGU.

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Global investment group Aberdeen Asset Management has strengthened its commitment to golf in Scotland with a one-year extension of its official sponsorship of the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad.
The investment marks Aberdeen Asset Management’s fifth year of partnership with the Scottish Golf Union, having begun their support of the Men’s Elite Squad and Academy back in 2007, coupled with their sponsorship of the SLGA which commenced last year.
As part of the sponsorship, Aberdeen Asset Management will also support the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad’s forthcoming trip to South Africa, which will see ten of the country’s most promising amateur players competing in five events on the South African circuit as well as a Test Match against their hosts.
The players will leave for Johannesburg on Tuesday, January 25 and will be overseas for eight weeks, returning to Scotland on Monday, March 21.
They will compete in the Gauteng North Open, the South African amateur stroke-play championship, the Free State and Northern Cape Open, the South African amateur match-play championship and the Northern Amateur.
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said:
“We are very pleased to be extending our sponsorship of the Scottish Golf Union and the Scotland Men’s Elite Squad having enjoyed a successful partnership over the past four years. Our investment has helped bring some exciting young talent through the amateur ranks and we look forward to seeing these players progressing further.”
“Golf is hugely important to Aberdeen Asset Management and we are committed to every level of the game in Scotland with a strong desire to see our players flourish, from the leading Tour professionals to the youngsters in the Scottish Golf Academy,” added Gilbert.
Hamish Grey, Chief Executive of the Scottish Golf Union, welcomed the extension to the sponsorship:
“Martin and his team at Aberdeen Asset Management have been fantastic supporters of Scottish Golf and their commitment over the past four years has allowed the SGU to enhance our player development programmes” said Grey.
“The training camps to the United Arab Emirates and South Africa this winter have been made possible with their extended support and our players are extremely grateful for the new opportunities they have been given.”
Scotland players competing at boys’, men’s and seniors’ level will continue to wear the Aberdeen Asset Management logo on their national team apparel and golf bags, while also benefiting from working with Colin Montgomerie, Sandy Lyle and Paul Lawrie.
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SCOTS’ SOUTH AFRICAN ITINERARY
Jan 25 Leave UK for South Africa
Jan 26-28 Training and practice Johannesburg
Jan 29-30 Gauteng North Open Stroke Play (Pecanwood GC).
Jan 31-Feb 4 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Feb 5 - 7 Practice for South African stroke-play championship (Mount Edgecombe No 1).
Feb 8–11 South African stroke-play championship (Mount Edgecombe No 1).
Feb 12-15 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Feb 16-17 Practice for Free State and Northern Cape stroke-play championship (Bloemfontain)
Feb 18–20 Free State and Northern Cape stroke-play championship (Bloemfontain).
Feb 21-24 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Feb 25-26 Practice for South African amateur match-play championship (Vaal de Grace).
Feb 27–Mar 4 South African amateur match-play championship (Vaal de Grace).
Mar 5–6 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Mar 7-10 Test Match v South Africa (Leopard’s Creek).
Mar 11-12 Practice for Northern Amateur Open (Randpark Club).
Mar 13-18 Northern Amateur Open (Randpark Club).
Mar 19-20 Training and practice (Johannesburg).
Mar 21 Depart South Africa for UK

 +Scots entered for the South African amateur stroke-play championship (February 8 to 11) are:
Jordan Findlay, Scott Gibson, Ross Kellett, David Law, Philip McLean, Kris Nicol, Greg Paterson, Paul Shields, Michael Stewart and James White.

IT IS NOW DOWN TO THE PLAYERS TO DELIVER, SAYS HAMISH GREY

Admitting there would be extra pressure on the Elite Squad players to deliver when the domestic season teed off in April, SGU CEO Hamish Grey told Martin Dempster of "The Scotsman":
"We are looking to see a number of Scots in the Walker Cup team this year and there is no room for excuses. We've done all we can and it is now down to the players, who will get the plaudits when they deliver."