ABERDEEN COMPANY PD&MS TO SPONSOR KRIS NICOL AS HE FINDS HIS FEET AS ROOKIE TOUR PRO

 Kris Nicol, left, and Dave MacKay, Chief Executive Officer PD&MS Businesses

NEWS RELEASE

Up-and-coming Fraserburgh golf professional Kris Nicol is aiming to tee up a career at the top of his sport – with backing from leading oil and gas engineering company PD&MS Energy.

The Aberdeen-based business, part of the Wilton Group, is providing sponsorship support for the Fraserburgh ace who turned pro last year – and who has already made his mark in the game.

Kris was the only Scot to gain full playing rights on the 2012 Alps Tour after sharing joint first place at a qualifying event in Italy in November. He’s just taken part in a tour event in Barcelona, where he missed the cut by three shots after recording 71s in both first and second rounds. His next event is in Italy in two weeks.

“Kris possesses all the attributes to rise through the ranks and become a big name in the world of international golf, and we’re delighted to be helping him at this key stage in his career,” says Chief Executive Officer PD&MS Businesses Dave MacKay.

“His qualities of talent, commitment and ambition are ones we recognise within our own organisation, and that’s why we want to support him as he pursues his sporting goals.”

Kris, 27, enjoyed a successful career as an amateur golfer, latterly playing off a handicap of +4, before deciding to make the move into the professional arena.

“It’s a huge boost to have the support of PD&MS in this early part of my career,” he says. “It would be extremely difficult to continue without the financial support and I’m very grateful to the group for its assistance.

“I’m aiming to repay that faith by doing well in 2012 and taking my career to new levels in the years beyond.” 

The Alps Tour is a ‘feeder’ to the sport’s Challenge and European Tours and Kris is confident of securing a high finish this year to earn a place in the 2013 Challenge field. 

Kris began playing at Fraserburgh Golf Club as a youngster and spent five years as a greenkeeper there after he left school.

The highlight of his amateur years, when he regularly represented Scotland in international events, was a place in the 2012 GB and I preliminary Walker Cup squad. He narrowly missed out on a place in the final team for the Royal Aberdeen match against the United States last September.

“I felt I’d gone as far as I could as an amateur and the time felt right to take on a new challenge,” explains Kris. “I was really pleased to get my card for the Alps Tour and I’m looking forward to gaining valuable experience during the year.”

Kris cites the emergence of Tiger Woods in the 1990s as one of his boyhood inspirations, while Aberdeen’s Paul Lawrie has remained a role model over the years.

 “For any young golfer, Paul is a fantastic example of what can be achieved in the sport,” says. “He also does a great deal to support youngsters via his foundation programme, and he’s always been happy to offer me guidance and advice.”

+PD&MS Energy, part of the Teesside-based Wilton Group, delivers full project management and design engineering support to the oil and gas industry.  With a workforce of more than 160, it focuses upon brownfield engineering including upgrades and fabric maintenance for platforms and rigs.