DG : Not to start on a negative , but we must kick things off talking about the pandemic . 2020 was an unprecedented year in the golf industry , but how did the Covid-19 pandemic affect you ?
PL : We own a golf club , the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre , and we have the Paul Lawrie Golf Foundation that lays on events and coaching for juniors . The biggest hit for us was with the Foundation . We did not feel that we could safely run events and coaching for young children , so we decided just to take the year off . We did some TopTracer stuff at the golf centre but when we opened after the first lockdown it was , as you can imagine , mega busy . Obviously the pandemic has been horrendous , but I think we can see some sort of light at the end of the tunnel . The vaccine programme has really got going in the UK for nstance . I have had my first jab and I am 52 , so I think we are getting there . When times are tough , you dig deep , and do what you can to make sure your business survives and your family is safe .
DG : Going back to the beginning , where did you learn to play golf and how did you get into it ??
PL : My first golf club was called Kemnay Golf Club . It was a nice par-3 course back then … and now a beautiful 18-hole course about 20-mins from where we live . I was introduced to the game by my father who played off about 7 and my brother who is 2-years older than me and played off about 5 . The three of us played a good bit but I played more football than golf in my youth , so I took to golf quite late . I was about 15 or 16 before I really started playing on a regular basis and turned pro at 17 as soon as my handicap was low enough .
DG : Let ’ s chat about your MBE in 1999 and then an OBE in 2013 , recognising your tremendous contribution to developing junior golf via the Paul Lawrie foundation . That must make you very proud .
PL : Yeah , I got the MBE after I won The Open , so I assume that was for my golf , and then I got the OBE for my services
to junior golf , which again is lovely . It is not why my wife and I got into it , but when you do receive them it is obviously a humbling experience . I received both from Prince Charles , and I never thought in my lifetime that I would receive such things , so it is pretty cool .
DG : And now you have your own facility , can you tell us a bit more about the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre ?
PL : It was called the Aspire Golf Centre back then , and my wife and I purchased it in 2012 with a couple of local business guys as shareholders : Martin Gilbert , who is ex-Aberdeen Standard Investments , and Steve Spencer , who is a hotelier in Aberdeen . There is the par-3 course , a large golf shop where we also offer custom fitting , and a coffee shop that overlooks the property . We have three full-time golf pros each with their own space to coach , short game area and putting green . We have about 450-500 members and about 20 staff . I also have own bay there so I often hit balls and do my practice sessions there .
DG : What about course records , who has got the best on your par-3 course for example ?
PL : My kids probably get the better of me these days , which is kind of frustrating ! My oldest son is a pro for the last 6-years and Michael , my youngest , is plus one or two now . The course is quite a challenging par-3 course , it is not a pitch & putt , and we have a few holes over 200 yards . I think my best round is seven under for 9-holes . But it is great fun and always in top condition .
DG : There are many wonderful courses around you in the North East such as Royal Aberdeen , Murcar Links , Trump International , Cruden Bay and we are fans of the lesser known Newburgh-on-Ythan , as well . Aberdeen is a top-quality golf destination really , wouldn ’ t you agree ?
PL : Yeah , I think we are extremely lucky in this area to have so many big-name courses , but also so many hidden gems . I mentioned Kemnay which is lovely , but also
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