Paul Lawrie keen to get started at Whitekirk

PAUL Lawrie is relishing the prospect of transforming an East Lothian golf course after being confirmed as co-designer on a project at Whitekirk.

PAUL Lawrie is relishing the prospect of transforming an East Lothian golf course after being confirmed as co-designer on a project at Whitekirk.

As predicted in The Scotsman last November, the 1999 Open champion is to be a central figure in a re-design of the course, which opened in 1995 but was recently bought over by a consortium. “I have been fortunate enough to visit and play the best courses all over the world and gained a vast knowledge of what golfers want in a championship course,.” said the Aberdonian.

Lawrie will work in collaboration with Team Niblick’s Graeme Webster, who designed Meldrum House near Aberdeen and also the par-3 course on the outskirts of the city that is now the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre. “I am confident that we will shape and mould Whitekirk into a leading course that golfers worldwide will want to play,” added Scotland’s top-ranked player.

While Whitekirk has hosted events on the PGA MasterCard Tour and PGA Europro Tour, its new owners are looking to create a fresh challenge.

“Whitekirk, which has been acquired by Whitekirk Consortium Ltd and is managed by Prestige Hotel Management, is embarking on an exciting journey that will transform it into one of the leading golf destinations in the United Kingdom,” said general manager David Brodie.