The 2016 Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play finds itself in a prime position the New Year schedule sandwiched between the PGA Championship and the start of the Olympic Games when it is returns to the Murcar Links Golf Club and to be staged from August 4-7, 2016.
The PGA Championship is a week before at Baltusrol in New Jersey while the Summer Olympics, and heralding a return of golf to the world’s biggest sporting spectacle, commences in Rio do Janeiro for the men on August 11th and on August 17th for the women.
The format for the match-play will remain as a 64-man match play straight knock-out featuring the leading players in The Race to Dubai.
“I’m delighted to see the event returning to Murcar Links again next year. The course was in fantastic condition for the inaugural event, and the feedback from the players on the venue and format has been very positive,” said Lawrie.
“We all thought the course was set up perfectly for match play and we saw some exciting golf being played this year, so it’s great to give the players another shot on this fantastic course.”
With the event taking place during the summer holidays in 2016, entries for Under 18s will again be free.
Mike Loggie, CEO of Saltire Energy, said: “Given the popularity of the inaugural Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play, we are delighted to extend our support for the 2016 event, which we are positive will build on the success of the 2015 tournament.
The 2016 Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie match play will be staged a week after the PGA Championship and a week prior to the Olympic Games.
- “We are particularly proud that the event is again to be held at Murcar Links Golf Club. Saltire Energy is passionate about supporting the local community within which we operate, and this again provides an opportunity to highlight some of the fantastic sporting facilities in Aberdeen.”
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “I am delighted to see the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play return to our schedule next season. Last year’s tournament concluded the day before I took office officially, and I vividly remember my first day at Wentworth people talking to me about the excitement of the tournament which had just finished in Aberdeen.
“We are always looking to be innovative on The European Tour, and a pure knock-out match play tournament certainly fits that bill. Paul is one of our most respected members and I want to thank him personally for the effort he has put into this tournament, alongside sponsors Saltire Energy and everyone at Murcar Golf Club.”
Malcolm Gunnyeon, Club Captain of Mucar Links, said: “It is fantastic for Murcar to be asked to host the tournament again. We were delighted that the course received such great feedback from both players and spectators this year, and we will be working hard to ensure it is in as good, if not better, condition for next year.
“All of us at the Club are really looking forward to working with everyone involved to make the 2016 event an even bigger success and once again showcasing what Murcar has to offer our members and visitors.”
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat captured the title in the first edition of the event, winning on the last hole in a dramatic final against Sweden’s Robert Karlsson.
- Story thanks to www.europeantour.com
