Paul Lawrie tees-up at Blair

Apr 8 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A BIG County golf club is rolling out the red carpet for one of the country’s top golfers.

Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Carnoustie Open winner and recent Andalucian Open champion is to partner Blairgowrie Golf Club professional Charles Dernie in an exhibition match against two of the Perthshire club’s finest golfers, George Brass, runner-up in the club championship, and Stuart Graham, the Perth and Kinross County match play champion.

Paul is looking forward to teaming-up again with Charles, a top international referee with Ryder Cup experience.

The pair worked together at Banchory GC and they’re teaming-up for an eagerly awaited one-off match over the Rosemount Course on Wednesday, April 20.

Ryder Cup veteran Lawrie (32) returned to winning ways in Andalucia this month but it’s his Major win at Carnoustie which is forever etched into Scottish golfing folklore.

Blair managing secretary Douglas Cleeton yesterday said: “It is a real honour to have a player of Paul’s calibre play at the club.

“We are very grateful that Paul, who continues to perform at the highest level and who has many commitments to his Golf Foundation, has taken the time to play here.

“It’s not that often that members of a golf club get to see a top-class professional in an informal match but this is a golden opportunity for our members, and those with a golfing interest, to see how the game should be played.”

The April 20 match tees-off at 1pm on the Rosemount Golf Course.

Members and their guests, family and friends, and local golf enthusiasts are all welcome to spectate at a unique event for the Blairgowrie club.