Former Open Champion Paul Lawrie is now lending his name to the Scottish Girls Championship being played this year at the acclaimed Craighead course at Crail in Fife.

The event to be known at the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Girls Championship will take place in July on the Gil Hanse designed course at Crail.

The Paul Lawrie Foundation now supporting Scottish Girls Championship at Crail.

Earlier this month Lawrie was on hand at the Murcar course to witness his two sons compete in the Paul Lawrie Foundation Scottish Boys Championship.

The event was first played in 1958 and has been won by many of the top lady golfers, including Catriona Matthew, Janice Moodie, Mhairi McKay and Vikki Laing.   This is the first time it has been held over one of the courses at Crail.

The Paul Lawrie Foundation, which was established by the former Open Champion in 2001, has a programme for golfers aged under 18 which encourages them to fully develop their potential.

Lawrie commented, “I’m very pleased we have been able to support such a great event.   National championships are major events in the junior calendar and the sponsorship will only enhance what is already a fantastic event.”

Expressing her delight at the support, Shona Malcolm, Chairperson of the SLGA, which runs the championship, said, “There is no doubt that this support will enhance the competitiveness and profile of the Championship.   The players will be excited to have the former Open Champion taking an interest in girls’ golf and they could not have a better role model to follow.”