Lawrie ready for Scottish Open challenge
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FORMER Open champion Paul Lawrie was at Castle Stuart Golf Links, the host venue for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, to open the new season and launch an exciting green fee special offer initiative.
Lawrie visited Castle Stuart to officially get under way the new playing season, which will see the acclaimed Inverness venue stage the Scottish Open for the third year in succession from July 11-14th before the event moves on to Royal Aberdeen next year.
Lawrie, a long-serving ambassador for Aberdeen Asset Management, posed for pictures on the 439-yard par four first hole as a prelude to the 1999 Open champion's bid to claim a title close to his heart. However, a minor neck and back problem prevented Lawrie from hitting the intended first professional tee shot of the new season.
Watched by an audience of the Castle Stuart staff, who have worked tirelessly over the winter months to prepare the course and clubhouse for the 2013 season, Lawrie spoke of his hopes at being able to land a majority victory on home soil come July.
"I've always said if I was only ever to win one more title in my career it would be the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open," said Lawrie
"Obviously it's my national open, played just a couple of hours from my home in Aberdeen, so it would be a huge honour to be champion.
"Two of my biggest wins have been in Scotland, so it's nice when you know that people are walking round the course supporting you a little bit more than you would normally find elsewhere. And, of course, it is ideal preparation for The Open at Muirfield the following week."
As well as Lawrie officially marking the opening of the new season at Castle Stuart, general manager Stuart McColm was revealing the club's new special offer on green fees for spectators to play the classic links by purchasing tickets to the Scottish Open.
As a special thank you to everyone who has already purchased tickets for this year's event, or who buys a ticket between now and the conclusion of the tournament, Castle Stuart is pleased to make a special offer on a range of green fees to play the superb championship course.
Every person who purchases a day ticket for the event will receive a £10 voucher that can be redeemed against a green fee at Castle Stuart, or a £25 voucher on purchase of a season ticket.
Only one voucher can be used on any single green fee or local four ball. Vouchers are only valid for the 2013 golfing season at Castle Stuart, from 22nd March to 24th November.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed staging the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open for the past two years and we are confident that the third and final edition of this agreement with The European Tour will also be very special," said McColm.
"Many people have expressed a desire to play this great links course at Castle Stuart, so we felt it would be a nice gesture to assist the keen amateur golfers by offering this range of special offers, which will apply until the end of the 2013 playing season.
"It is always an exciting day for all of us at Castle Stuart when a new season gets under way, but especially so this time around with a major champion and Scotland's leading tournament professional in Paul Lawrie helping us start 2013 in great style."
Full ticket information can be found at www.aamscottishopen.com, www.europeantour.com/tickets or telephone the ticket Hotline 0800 023 2557. Postal enquiries should be sent to: European Tour Tickets, Mirren Court Three, 123 Renfrew Court Three, Paisley, PA3 4EA.
* Aberdeen Asset Management is delighted to announce the launch of a competition to 'Design a Board' at this year's Scottish Open.
Children aged under 16 at schools and golf clubs throughout Inverness and the surrounding areas are invited to submit a piece of artwork depicting golf in the highlands, which will be turned into a 2.4m x 1m on-course board, which will be on display throughout the four day tournament in July.
As well as having their artwork turned into a course board at a professional golf tournament, the winner, along with their family, will be invited to the Aberdeen Asset Management Pavilion for afternoon tea during the tournament and £1000 of junior golf equipment will also be donated to their associated school or golf club.
The runner-up will receive five tickets to the tournament, a Aberdeen golf pack and £250 in junior golf equipment for their school or golf club.
There will also be a prize awarded for the best artwork by a child aged 10 years or under, who will win an Aberdeen golf pack and £250 in junior golf equipment donated to their school or golf club.
For more information on the competition and for full terms and conditions, please visit www.aamscottishopen.com.
