SCOTTISH PGA SEC MICHAEL MACDOUGALL LEAVING TO JOIN PAUL LAWRIE TEAM

FROM THE ABERDEEN PRESS AND JOURNAL
Scottish PGA secretary Michael MacDougall will leave the organisation next month to take up a role with Paul Lawrie.

MacDougall, who has worked for the PGA for nine years and been the Tartan Tour supremo for the past five, has been based at the PGA Scotland headquarters at Gleneagles. 
He will move to Aberdeen to take up his new role in April.
He said: "I'm looking forward to working with Paul. Between his foundation and the golf centre, Paul's workload off the golf course has increased dramatically and he wants some help in managing the process.
"He has sponsors locally and those who support him on his tour clothes and kit, and requires someone to help him manage those relationships.
"Paul is in America for a couple of weeks so we still have not finalised exactly what the arrangement will be but I'm sure it will be a varied and exciting one."
Liam Greasley, PGA director of regions and membership, said:
"Michael has been a great asset and we wish him all the best in his new venture."  

SEARCH FOR SUCCESSOR HAS BEGUN
 
FROM THE PGA WEBSITE
The PGA in Scotland has embarked on a search for a successor to current secretary Michael MacDougall who is leaving the organisation.
MacDougall has announced he will be joining Paul Lawrie Golf at the end of March after nine years with The PGA.
His departure creates a unique opportunity in Scottish golf with the high profile role including responsibility for the Tartan Tour and developing The PGA's partnerships with other golfing bodies.
A key part of the position will be looking after the interests and needs of Scotland's 650 PGA members and assistant professionals who are pivotal in growing and promoting the game through such initiatives as ClubGolf - the national programme which has introduced more than 40,000 youngsters to the game.
"Michael has been a great asset to The PGA and we wish him all the best in his new venture," said Liam Greasley, PGA Director of Regions and Membership.
"His departure obviously creates a fantastic opportunity to lead The PGA in Scotland in what has probably never been a more exciting time for Scottish golf with the build-up to the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles gaining momentum and a packed Tartan Tour schedule already in place for 2013.
"The PGA and its members play a very important role at golfing facilities across Scotland, whether as coaches and teachers, club professionals or in more senior managerial positions and we look forward to appointing a similarly high calibre person to succeed Michael in representing them as Secretary of The PGA in Scotland."