PAUL LAWRIE'S 18-YEAR-OLD SON CRAIG TURNS PROFESSIONAL

NEWS RELEASE

Today at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre in Aberdeen, Craig Lawrie, 

elder son of the 1999 Open Champion, announced that he will take 

the leap to join the Professional ranks with immediate effect.

He will be supported by three principal sponsors – Aberdeen Asset 

Management, Hunting Energy (both of whom are also long-term 

supporters of Paul) and M I Swaco, part of the Schlumberger 

group.  

Craig will be attached to the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre and represent 

the facility where he practises.  He will play Titleist equipment and 

golf balls whilst wearing Oakley apparel.

Following an amateur career in which he won the North-east  of 

Scotland District Youths in 2012 and finished 10^th on the 2013 

SGU Order of Merit in the same year that he became the Junior 

Champion at his home golf club (Deeside), Craig, who plays off a 

handicap of +1, has taken the decision to test himself on the 

professional circuit.

Initially Craig’s schedule will consist of a mixture of events on the 

Europro, EPD (German PGA Tour) and  Alps Tours and will be 

managed by 4SPORTS, the same agency that represents Paul.

On his decision to follow in the footsteps of his father Craig said:  

“I’m excited to test my game at a new level of competition.  I feel 

like I’ve really improved in the last 6-12 months and the experience 

I’ve gained playing with dad in practice rounds as well as at his 

Invitational event in September and alongside Peter Baker in the 

British Par 3 Championships will all help when I tee up in my first 

event as a Professional.  

"I know how difficult it will be and how high the standard is at the 

top level but I am prepared to work hard and see what comes.”

Paul commented: “It will be really interesting to see how Craig 

gets on.  I’ve always encouraged both of our boys to play the 

game but never pushed them in one direction or another.  Craig 

is certainly a better golfer at this stage than I was at 18.

" It’s well known that I turned pro playing off 5, so, looking at it 

purely on these terms, he’s much better than I was when I made 

the transition.  There’s a huge leap from amateur golf to making 

a living from the game”.

Craig will make his debut as a professional golfer at McDonald, Ellon Golf Club tomorrow (30^th October) at 10.03am when he 

tees off with fellow Paul Lawrie Foundation Professionals Jordan 

Findlay, Kris Nicol and Philip McLean in the North-east Alliance's 

weekly 18-hole competition.

CRAIG LAWRIE'S AMATEUR CAREER RECORD

Handicap: +1

     2013 Junior Club Champion – Deeside Golf Club

• 2013 Deeside Mens Strokeplay Champion – Deeside Golf Club
• 2013 British Par 3 – Amateur Champion
• 2013 Paul Lawrie Foundation Matchplay Champion
• 2013 10^th on SGU Order of Merit
• 2013 Scratch winner on North-east Alliance circuit.

Michael MacDougall

Paul Lawrie Golf

07803786423

www.paullawriegolf.com

 

CRAIG SEEKS TO BE A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

PAUL LAWRIE 

Became an assistant professional at Banchory Golf Club in 1986. He was 17 years old with an amateur handicap of 5.

Paul has played on the European Tour since 1992.

He won the Open at Carnoustie in 1999.

He was won eight European Tour events and earned 11,894,026 Euros in prize money alone.

Played in the Ryder Cup matches of 1999 and 2012. 

SOME QUOTES FROM THIS MORNING'S PRESS

CONFERENCE AT PAUL LAWRIE GOLF CENTRE 

"Some players take a little bit of time to find their feet as professionals. The best advice I can give to Craig is not to get too downhearted too early over the first few months if he does not do as well in tournaments as he would have liked. The first year or so is a learning experience." - PAUL 

"Craig is very strong from tee to green and regularly outdrives me in our bounce matches. He struggles a little bit on and around the greens." - PAUL

 "I could not have a better person to guide me in my pro career than my father who has won the Open championship, played Ryder Cup matches, won European Tour events and so on." - CRAIG

"There is no rush to set myself goals. The first year is all about gaining experience. I am young enough to switch from being a tour pro to start PGA training after a year or two down the line." - CRAIG

"Craig's younger brother, Michael, is 14 years old with two of a handicap. He could be the third member of the Lawrie family to

join the professional golf ranks when he is a little bit older." - PAUL 

"It is appropriate that Craig will make his debut on the North-east Alliance golf circuit where I cut my teeth competitively as a professional in the 1980s." - PAUL