CRAIG GROUP TO SPONSOR ROOKIE PRO JAMES BYRNE

            JAMES BYRNE IN WALKER CUP ACTION.  Image by Rob Eyton-Jones


NEWS RELEASEAberdeen ’s Craig Group, a global shipping and energy services firm, has entered a sponsorship agreement with one of Scotland’s top young local golfers, James Byrne, who is currently competing in the Singapore Open.
The 22-year-old, who was born in Gorleston, England, but relocated to Banchory three weeks later and has lived there ever since, played a key role in the recent Great Britain and Ireland’s Walker Cup victory over the United States.
He has also recently enjoyed a top-30 finish in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, as well as a top-50 finish in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Golf has been central to James’ life for several years - since 2005 he has represented Scotland at every age group and has enjoyed a very successful amateur career, including a win at the 2007 Scottish Boys’ Strokeplay Championship and four wins on the Scottish Order of Merit circuit.
Last year, the Arizona State University graduate finished runner-up in the British Amateur Championship and in recognition of his successful season he was awarded Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year 2010.
James said he is particularly pleased to have secured sponsorship from The Craig Group.
He said: “I’m really grateful for the overwhelming support being shown by The Craig Group – if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be able to compete in distant locations nor afford the coaching and caddying help that I need.
“I have an extremely exciting and busy year ahead and am looking forward to the challenge of competing against the best golfers in the world.”
Commenting on the sponsorship, chairman and managing director of The Craig Group, Douglas Craig, said: “The Craig Group is delighted to help James get the best possible start in his professional golfing career. As a local family business it’s important to support the community and one part of that is encouraging and supporting the golfing talent in the North East of Scotland.
“We have always been supportive of golf, in particular young and up-coming golfers, and James is a credit to the sport.
“I wish him every success in the future.”
James missed the cut in the Singapore Open today but moves on to the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia from November 17 to 20. Then it will be the JBWere Australian Masters in December.
The Craig Group continues to sponsor Aberdeen PGA European Tour Pro Richie Ramsay while the Kings Links Golf Centre, which is owned by the Craig Group, continues to sponsor Aberdeen golfer Scott Henderson, underlining its commitment to the region’s more experienced players.
Kings Links Golf Centre, the largest independent facility of its kind in the North East, continues to attract thousands of golfers each year looking to take advantage of the PGA professional instructors, such as Paul Girvan, Steve Craig, Gary Lochhead and Katie Thomson, to give expert advice on the game