The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Major winners to mentor Scotland’s best young talent
Sc o tt i s h Golf has brought Scotland’s last two major champions, Catriona Matthew and Paul Lawrie, into the fold to act as mentors to the country’s best young players and be part of a review of the governing body ’s elite performance programmes.
The pair are to begin a mentoring programme with top Scottish talent to help develop them into future elite Tour players.
Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion, already performs such a role with his successful Foundation in the north east which has already helped produce a European Tour winner in David Law, but this new programme will be country-wide.
Matthew, who won the Women’s Open in 2009, has already mentored a number of young female players in her native East Lothian, but will take hands-on role.
There’s also to be a broad review of the structure of Scottish Golf’s performance programmes and player pathway, with both the major champions involved.
The review, which will be conducted over the winter and in collaboration with a range of other key external stakeholders, will aim to further develop and improve the output of Scottish Golf’s performance programmes and ensure resources are being allocated in the most appropriate and effective manner.
Karin Sharp, chief operating officer at Scottish Golf, described it as “very exciting” that Matthew and Lawrie had agreed to come on board.
“I can’t think of anyone more appropriate to help us further develop our performance programmes a more than two of Scotland’s most successful golfers,” she said.
“I have no doubt that the expertise and experience Catriona and Paul will bring to the table will be enormously valuable.
“Moving forward, it is vital that we are getting the right support to the right players at the right time and I’m certain that this new partnership will help us do just that.”
Matthew said: “I can’t wait to get started in this role and I’m incredibly excited about the cha l lenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
“The game has given me so much over the years and I hope that by sharing my experience, and mentoring the next generation, I can give something back.
“There is a wealth of potential golf talent in Scotland and anything we can do to help identify and nurture that talent will hopefully help more Scottish golfers find success at the elite level.”
Lawrie said: “Over the years I have been very proud of the work my foundation has done in Scotland, helping players like Dav i d L aw come through and win on Tour.
“I am now looking forward to working with S c o tt i s h Golf to help mentor and develop some of the country’s top up-andcoming players.
“By working together and utilising all of the golfing experience we have in this country, we can help our talented young golfers achieve their goals.
“However, it is equally important to look to the longer term and ensure our best golfers continue to get the support that they need as the sport itself changes and develops.”