Scottish Hydro back emerging golf pros

Feb 25 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOP Perth golfer Gavin Dear is powering ahead thanks to a £600,000 support programme for Scottish golf.

It was launched at Edinburgh Castle by Fair City-based Scottish Hydro, with European Tour stars Paul Lawrie, Stephen Gallacher and Andrew Coltart present along with George O’Grady, the Tour chief executive.

Now, five young professionals under the Team Scottish Hydro banner will be receiving financial and strategic support in a bid to produce more Scottish European Tour and Ryder Cup stars.

Scottish Hydro, one of the UK’s leading energy companies, has pledged to cover all tournament-related expenses for the potentially famous five at the start of each season. That could add up to more than £30,000 a head.

Each year, the five members of Team Scottish Hydro will have full playing rights on the European Challenge Tour and will be selected by a panel comprising senior players, Tour professionals, coaches and the media.

They will receive financial and strategic support at a time when young Scottish players are struggling to generate the required sponsorship to fund a full-time touring career, giving the players the opportunity to focus entirely on their games as they bid to make their way onto The European Tour.

The players chosen for 2011 are Gavin Dear, Chris Doak, Craig Lee, Callum Macaulay and Jamie McLeary.

Former Walker Cup star and Eisenhower world team champion Gavin, who learned his game at Murrayshall, said: “This is a huge help in turning our dreams into a reality. To have this kind of backing means so much. We are now able to navigate our way around the Tour with a level of support that has never been there before and I know it is going to make a huge difference.”

Carnoustie Open winner Lawrie, who played in the 1999 Ryder Cup alongside Coltart, endorsed the new initiative saying: “Getting to the top of the game is a difficult business and having financial and strategic support behind you, like Team Scottish Hydro offers, will mean that the journey is greatly assisted along the way.”

Alistair Phillips-Davies, Scottish Hydro generation and supply director added: “We are delighted to lend a hand to the emerging talent of Scottish professional golf and play our part in their goal of reaching the European Tour.

“The players in Team Scottish Hydro are all extremely talented and our support will help them to realise their full potential.”

Iain Stoddart, partner at Bounce Sports Marketing and project director of Team Scottish Hydro added: “A lot of people know that we have championed this type of model for a while and I would personally like to thank Scottish Hydro for their vision and commitment.