Paul Lawrie becomes an ambassador for Loch Lomond Whiskies


NEWS RELEASE
Loch Lomond Whiskies, The Official Spirit of The Open, has agreed an exciting partnership with 1999 Open Champion, Paul Lawrie.

The independent Scotch whisky distiller recently announced a five-year agreement with The RandA to become Official Spirit of The Open and Women’s British Open. Lawrie joins fellow Scottish golfing legend Colin Montgomerie as an ambassador for the brand.

Over a golf career spanning more than 30 years, Lawrie has competed in more than 600 European Tour events and represented Europe in the Ryder Cup in both 1999 and 2012 – arguably the two most dramatic in its history.

However, his most famous victory came at Carnoustie in 1999. Then ranked 241st in the world, Lawrie came through a 36-hole qualifying tournament at Downfield before a remarkable charge on the Sunday saw him force a play-off, despite starting the day ten shots off the lead. Lawrie overcame Justin Leonard and Jean van de Velde to lift the Claret Jug, and remains the last Scot to have done so.

Lawrie has been working with the Master Blender at Loch Lomond Whiskies to create the Paul Lawrie Autograph Edition, which will go on sale before the world’s best golfers return to Carnoustie in July for The 147th Open.

Lawrie said: “I certainly know what it’s like to be the underdog and to overcome the odds. I can see parallels with my story and how Loch Lomond Whiskies have emerged out of the pack over the last couple of years and are now becoming one of the most dynamic, exciting and innovative brands in the world of scotch whisky.

“I’m genuinely thrilled to begin working with the experts at The Loch Lomond Group, who share my passion for arguably two of the country’s most loved exports – golf and whisky – and I’m impressed with how they’ve established themselves in the sport in such a brief period.

“In the short term I’m looking forward to developing my Autograph Edition before returning to Carnoustie – a course which is obviously very close to my heart.”

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, said: “To be able to bring a player of Paul’s calibre and reputation on board really demonstrates the commitment we have to both growing our brands around the world and growing our presence in golf.

“We’re absolutely delighted to start working with Paul and know that his Autograph Edition will prove a huge hit with golfers and whisky fans alike.”

As part of the agreement, Loch Lomond Whiskies will also participate at the Scottish Par 3 Championship, which takes place at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre on the South Deeside Road, Aberdeen on June 14 and 15.

A Loch Lomond Whiskies cask full of the highly coveted Loch Lomond Whisky and worth more than £15,000 will be up for grabs should any of the players register an ace on the sponsored hole during the tournament.