Major PGA recognition for Paul

Scot is described as a ‘credit to the game’ as he receives prestigious award from association

By Michael McEwan

Former Open champion Paul Lawrie has been rewarded for his outstanding contribution to golf with the 2015 PGA Recognition Award.

The Scot, who famously claimed the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1999, collected the honour at the PGA’s annual fundraising lunch at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London ahead of embarking on his 30th season as a professional and his 25th on the European Tour.

As well as the Open, Lawrie has won seven other times on tour and twice represented Europe in the Ryder Cup, including the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012.

METTLE

However, despite his busy schedule travelling and competing around the world, he has continued to make time to support golf in Scotland both at grass-roots level through his eponymous foundation and all the way up to elite level where he is a mentor to a number of promising young players, including David Law and Laura Murray.

He also operates a successful golf facility on the outskirts of his native Aberdeen and has proved his mettle as a golf tournament promoter at all levels of the game.

Lawrie joins an illustrious list of famous names to have received the PGA honour, including the late Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie and current Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke.

RECOGNISED

“I’m honoured to receive the PGA’s Recognition Award as I’m proud to be a member of the PGA,” said the 47-year-old. “I started my career as an assistant at Banchory, training under Doug Smart, and learned skills that I still put in to practise 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, the chief executive of the PGA, paid his own tribute to the Scot, whom he has known since his early days working at Banchory.

“I’m delighted that Paul has received the PGA Recognition Award,” said Jones. “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.”

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