Paul Lawrie Uniquely Placed To Assess Impact Of ‘StayAtHome’ Golfing Shutdown.

It is not a choosing he would prefer but Open Champion Paul Lawrie is in a unique position during the current Coronavirus fears.

Not only is Lawrie side-lined from his chosen profession but outside of the European Tour competition ropes the proud Scot is a golf-related businessman.

Lawrie, 51 runs the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre located at South Deeside in his beloved Aberdeen.

The Centre boasts a nine-hole par-3 golf course, a 26 bay driving range and a world class short game area.  The Centre also has three PGA Coaching Professionals on hand to provide instruction in fully equipped private coaching bays.

There’s also a custom fitting bay, a well equipped shop and the appropriately named ‘Clarets’ coffee shop in honour of the golfer who won the 1999 Open Championship just ‘down the road’ at Carnoustie.

The Aberdeen Standard Investments ambassador also set-up his ‘5Star Sports Agency’ that manages the business affairs of fellow Scottish golfers Sam Locke, David Law, Hannan McCook, Craig Howie and son, Craig.

Paul Lawrie is uniquely places to assess the impact of the ‘StayAtHome’ golfing shutdown. (Photo @europeantour)

Thus in being a professional golfer, the owner of a Scottish-based golfing establishment and the owner of a sports management company it seemingly places Lawrie in a unique position to assess the pressure of what is certain to be a lengthy ‘StayatHome’ Scotland-wide complete golf shutdown.

“The golf centre closed and we closed that before people were told to close things,” he said.

“We thought it was right because it was a driving range as well as the golf course. We have gates that we can lock and we felt it was important to close it for the sake of the staff and the customers. It took up a few days to get all that shut up.

“We employ a number of staff and the furlough scheme is going to be a huge benefit to us. But we obviously have a lot of other things  that we can’t stop. There’s a lot of money going out at the moment that we can’t do anything about.

“But everyone is in that position, not just me, so I’m not moaning about that. That’s just life and you’ve got to get on with it. The Foundation is totally stopped at the minute as well. It’s not great, but it’s just life at the minute.”

Lawrie the European Tour member had competed in five of the 2019/20 wraparound events from last December to the first week of March in contesting the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, and event he’s won twice in his illustrious career including 1999 and in the year he won The Open.

He was asked how he is coping not being out on the Tour.

“I’ve not been playing any golf due to the courses closing here a week ago,” he said.  “I can’t say I’ve been doing anything with my game in the house – yet!  Maybe as the weeks progress I might start doing that.

“I’ve also been chipping a few balls in the garden. We also put one of the foundation nets up so that me and the boys can hit a few balls, but we’ve done very little at the moment.

“It’s the uncertainty of it all. Nobody knows how long it is going to be and I think it is going to be longer than this initial spell. It’s not great, but you’ve just got to get on with it. I’m not a scientist so I don’t know how long this is going to be.”



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