PAUL LAWRIE LAUNCHESSCASTLE STUART NEW GREEN FREE INITIATIVE

Paul Lawrie and Stuart McColm, general manager at Castle Stuart golf course on the first tee today

NEWS RELEASE

Former Open Champion Paul Lawrie today visited Castle Stuart Golf Links, the host venue for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, to open the new season and launch an exciting new green fee special offer initiative.

Lawrie, who played a key role in Europe’s dramatic Ryder Cup victory at Medinah last year, visited Castle Stuart to kick-off a new playing season which will see the acclaimed Inverness venue stage the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open for the third year in succession from July 11-14 before the event moves on to Royal Aberdeen in 2014.

As the longest-serving Aberdeen Asset Management Ambassador, it was appropriate that Lawrie spent some time for a photocall at the 439 yard par four first hole on the banks of the Moray Firth as a prelude to the 1999 Open Champion’s bid to claim a title close to his heart. 

However, a minor neck and back problem prevented Lawrie from hitting the intended first professional tee shot of the new season.

Watched by an audience of the Castle Stuart staff, who have worked tirelessly over the winter months to prepare the course and Art Deco clubhouse in tip-top condition for the 2013 season, Lawrie undertook some media duties and said: “I’ve always said if I was only ever to win one more title in my career it would be the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

“Obviously it’s my national Open, played just a couple of hours from my home in Aberdeen so it would be a huge honour to be champion. Two of my biggest wins have been in Scotland so it’s nice when you know that people are walking round the course supporting you a little bit more than you would normally find elsewhere. And, of course, it is ideal preparation for The Open at Muirfield the following week.”

As Lawrie was displaying his acumen on the course, Castle Stuart General Manager, Stuart McColm, was revealing the club’s new special offer on green fees for spectators to play the classic links by purchasing tickets to the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

As a special ‘thank you’ to everyone who has already purchased tickets for the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, or who buys a ticket between now and the conclusion of the tournament, Castle Stuart is pleased to make a special offer on a range of green fees to play the superb Championship Course.

Every person who purchases a day ticket for the event will receive a £10 voucher that can be redeemed against a green fee at Castle Stuart, or a £25 voucher on purchase of a season ticket. Only one voucher can be used on any single green fee or local four ball. Vouchers are only valid for the 2013 golfing season at Castle Stuart, from March 22 to November 24.

McColm said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed staging the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open for the past two years and we are confident that the third and final edition of this agreement with The European Tour will also be very special.

“Many people have expressed a desire to play this great links course at Castle Stuart, so we felt it would be a nice gesture to assist the keen amateur golfers by offering this range of special offers, which will apply until the end of the 2013 playing season.

“It is always an exciting day for all of us at Castle Stuart when a new season gets under way, but especially so this time around with a Major Champion – and Scotland’s leading tournament professional – in Paul Lawrie helping us start 2013 in great style.”

And you can purchase tickets NOW to benefit from pre-tournament savings and to obtain the discounted green fee vouchers.

A season ticket for all four days can be bought for £70 in advance of the tournament, a saving of £10 on  admission at the gate. Adult day tickets are currently priced at £30, rising to £35 on the gate.

Concessions (60 and over) start at £50 for a season ticket and £20 for any one day tickets if purchased in advance. Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge and all car parking is also free. Entrance to the Pro-Am on Wednesday is £12 in advance and £15 on the day.

Reserved grandstand seating can also be purchased immediately for the Saturday (£10) and the Sunday (£15) of the event. Hospitality packages are also available.

Full ticket information can be found at:  www.aamscottishopen.com or www.europeantour.com/tickets or telephone Ticket Hotline:  +440800 023 2557. Postal enquiries should be sent to: European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123 Renfrew Court Three, Paisley, PA3 4EA.