PD&MS ENERGY BACK KRIS NICOL'S EUROPEAN TOUR DREAM

Kris Nicol, left, and Dave MacKay, CEO of PD&MS Businesses

 

  NEWS RELEASE

North-east golfer Kris Nicol is being tipped for a bright future in the sport thanks to continued backing from leading oil and gas engineering consultancy PD&MS Energy.

 

The Aberdeen-based business is providing sponsorship for the second year in a row. And Kris, who is also supported by the Paul Lawrie Foundation, is planning to make 2013 a year to remember.

 

In 2012, Kris competed on the Alps Tour in his first year as a professional. Travelling across Europe and North Africa, including courses in Austria, France, Morocco and Spain, he finished 41^st in the order of merit. His highest finish last year was 8^th at the Valle d’Aosta Open in Italy.

 

The Alps Tour is a ‘feeder’ to the sport’s Challenge Tour, which in turn can lead to a European Tour card. In order to progress to the Challenge Tour, a top-five finish in the Alps’ order of merit is required.

 

Kris, 28, has recently returned from two weeks of competition in Egypt where he finished 22^nd and 19^th respectively at the first two events of this season’s Alps Tour.

 

Next up for Kris are events in Spain and France where he hopes to build upon the experience he gained last year. He is confident of securing a high finish this year to potentially earn a place in the 2014 Challenge field.

 

Kris, originally from Fraserburgh, said: “I cannot thank PD&MS Energy enough for this opportunity. Their support has been a terrific confidence boost and allowed me to compete without having to worry about additional pressures off the course. This means I can focus solely on my golf.

 

“My goal for this year is to continue to improve and learn. I will be in a better position to do well this year having been on the tour last year and played most of the courses.

 

“Hopefully by the end of the season I can secure a place in the top 5 which would allow me to progress to the next level. I have been working hard over the winter months to improve my game and feel that all aspects have come on leaps and bounds.”

 

Dave MacKay, Chief Executive Officer of PD&MS Businesses, said: “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 once again at this key stage in his career.

 

“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 began playing at Fraserburgh Golf Club as a youngster, spending five years there as a greenkeeper after leaving school.

 

He enjoyed a successful career as an amateur golfer before deciding to make the move into the professional arena. The highlight of his amateur years, when he regularly represented Scotland in international events, was a place in the 2012 Walker Cup Squad. He narrowly missed out on a place in the final team.

 

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 200, it focuses upon brownfield engineering including upgrades and fabric maintenance for platforms and rigs.