Paul Lawrie wins PGA Reconition Award
for outstanding contribution to golf
PGA NEWS RELEASE
By Matthew Suddaby
The 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie
OBE is the 2015 recipient of the PGA Recognition Award for his
outstanding contribution to golf.
The Aberdonian collected the honour today at
The PGA’s annual fundraising lunch at the Grosvenor House Hotel in
London
Lawrie, who as a young golfer
qualified as a PGA professional before establishing himself on tour, has
tasted many career highlights, notably winning the 1999 Open, at
Carnoustie and as a key member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team at the Miracle
of Medinah in 2012
But despite his personal
success, Lawrie has always found time to support golf in Scotland both
at grass roots with the Paul Lawrie Foundation and up to elite level
where he is a mentor to a number of promising players in their bid to
succeed on tour.
His foundation also supports a number of other sports.
Despite winning arguably golf’s
greatest tournament, and playing a vital part in one of the most
memorable Ryder Cups ever, thoughts of playing tour golf were not a high
priority for a teenage Lawrie.
But his fledgling talent was
spotted by the late Banchory Golf Club pro Doug Smart during one of Lawrie’s
outings with the taxi drivers of Aberdeen – one of whom was his dad who
owned a cab firm
Eagle-eyed Smart was impressed by the young Lawrie and hinted to his father that a potential career route with The PGA beckoned.
From raw beginnings as an assistant at Banchory, Lawrie
turned himself into one of the finest ball-strikers on tour and with 25
years on tour under his belt, can reflect on an impressive career which
has brought eight European Tour wins and most memorably his famous Open
triumph at Carnoustie in 1999.
An Honorary Life Member of the
European Tour, Lawrie’s commitment to golf was highlighted this year by
hosting his own Tour event - the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play
at Murcar Links.
“I’m honoured to receive the
PGA’s Recognition Award as I’m proud to be a member of The PGA,” said
Lawrie who joins an illustrious list of names to have won the award
including the late Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie and current Ryder
Cup captain Darren Clarke.
“I started my career as an
assistant at Banchory, training under Doug Smart, and learned skills
that I still put in to practice today.
“It means a great deal that the
work that my wife Marian and I have done building the Foundation to the
level it is at today is being recognised by The Association, alongside
my playing career.”
Sandy Jones, PGA chief
executive, said: “I’m delighted that Paul has received the PGA
Recognition Award. Having known Paul since he was a young PGA assistant,
I know how hard he has worked to scale the heights of the game and
no-one deserves their success more than him.
“What is even more remarkable is
his determination and dedication to give something back to the sport
through the Paul Lawrie Foundation.
“He is a credit to the PGA, the European Tour and the wider game of golf.”
Money raised from the lunch will
go towards the PGA Bevenolent Fund which goes towards helping PGA
Members who have fallen on difficult times.
Picture at the top of the article by courtesy of Tom
Dulat/Getty Images.
Paul Lawrie receives his PGA Recognition Award
from PGA captain Nicky Lumb.
Labels: PGA
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