Leading Scottish golfer Martin Laird has moved house and also is using one of Donald Trump’s signature courses in North Carolina as his official practice venue.
Laird has been residing in Scottsdale, Arizona with wife, Meagan.
Martin Laird in action during 2012 BMW PGA Championship. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
However the Laird’s have bought a house in Charlotte, North Carolina and Laird has begun using the facilities of the Trump National Charlotte course near Mooresville to hone his current World No. 31 ranked game.
It is believed Trump paid $US 3m for the Greg Norman designed course with the promise to invest many more millions into the course and community.
“It used to be known as The Point Lake and Golf Club but it’s now known as Trump National Charlotte and that just happened a few weeks ago,” said Laird.
“But we moved to Charlotte as it’s a lot easier to travel in and out of Charlotte.
“From the start of the year to around March about 95% of the tournaments are on the east coast of America and Charlotte is a great airport to travel from, and it’s also one of the nicest cities in America.
“So we decided to make a move east but we’ve decided to keep the house in Arizona.”
Laird first went to the States in 2000 where he attended college in California and lived in Arizona from 2005 before moving now to Charlotte.
And Laird is enjoying competing again in Britain and in front of more ‘knowledgeable’ crowds.
“The reception Rory (McIlroy), Ernie (Els) and myself have been getting has been fantastic and they’re all trying to root us along,” said Laird.
“I just love coming back here and competing as there is a little more home support back here.
“The crowds over here in Europe are so different to those in the States because many of those who come to tournaments in America are not golfers.
“Whereas over here in Britain and Europe it tends to be mainly golfers who come to the events. I am not saying one is better than the other but that’s how it is but it’s more a party atmosphere over there.
“So it’s nice to play in front of a knowledgeable crowd.
“And everyone over here walks around in golf shoes and over in America it’s a case of ‘spot the Brit’ because they’re the ones wearing golf shoes.”
