Lawrie maintains family ties for Scottish Hydro Challenge

Published on Monday 1 June 2009 22:50

PAUL Lawrie will bring a major winner's distinction to the Scottish Hydro Challenge, a European Challenge Tour event, at Spey Valley in Aviemore from 30 July-2 August, in a gesture of support for tournament golf in Scotland.

The Open champion at Carnoustie in 1999 is a past winner on the Challenge Tour, albeit at the start of his professional career all of 17 years ago when he won the Scottish Brewers Championship. Lawrie is keen to repeat that victory and overcome a new generation of aspiring competitors.

It is unlikely, however, that any of the major winner's young rivals will have a caddie on duty as fresh faced as Lawrie's 14-year-old son, Craig.

"Craig is very excited about his role, although he might see a different side to his father than the one he's used to," cautioned the 40-year-old. "Mind you, I don't think I'll be as harsh with him as I am with my regular caddie Andy Forsyth – I think his mum might have something to say if I was.

"In terms of preparation and play however, I'm going to treat it like a normal week on the European Tour. I'm certainly not going up there on holiday – I'm going there to win, because I don't play in tournaments unless I feel I can win them.

"Tournaments like the Scottish Challenge are crucial in raising the profile, not only of the Challenge Tour, but also of tournament golf in Scotland in general as we look ahead to the Ryder Cup in five years' time.

"I wish I'd played the Scottish Challenge in 2006 when it was in Aberdeen, but unfortunately it was up against the European Open at that time. But, whenever possible, I think it's important guys from the main Tour play in tournaments in our own country like the Scottish Challenge."

There was more positive news for the only development tour event staged in Scotland when Scottish Hydro, the energy company, announced a three-year title sponsorship deal.

Already involved with commercial support for community rugby, shinty and football with a skills challenge at St Johnstone, Scottish Hydro are also keen to back the next generation of emerging golfers.

Head of marketing Wendy Barbour said: "The Ryder Cup coming to Scotland in 2014, together with an exciting summer of golf this year including the Open returning to Turnberry after 15 years, is really putting Scottish golf in the spotlight. The Scottish Hydro Challenge allows for the development of future Open winners and Ryder Cup golfers and shows our commitment to supporting the development of golf in Scotland."

Although no figure was put on the scale of the firm's financial support, other than to acknowledge "a considerable investment" on the part of Scottish Hydro, the deal is a welcome boost for golf at a time when the economic downturn has turned sports sponsorship into a luxury for many companies.

Challenge Tour director Alain de Soultrait said: "Without question (Scottish Hydro's] three-year title sponsorship deal is a massive boost not only to the tournament but to the Challenge Tour as a whole in these uncertain economic times."