Peter is proud to be the Ambassador for the Charity Respect at the years Irish Open. Respect is the official Charity of this year’s event.

RESPECT – an Irish Registered Charity (CHY 11481) – Responsible for Fundraising Projects for People with Intellectual Disabilities of all ages within the Daughters of Charity Service in the Dublin area. Since 1892, The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul have worked hard to provide care, education and training for People with an Intellectual Disability. We provide a seamless partnership of care for people from infancy right through to old age. Our work is ultimately about people, their dignity and their quality of life. We have the responsibility of caring for 2,300 people, 800 of whom are in full-time residential care, with 1,500 attending our Specialist Centres on a daily basis.

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European Tour champion Peter Lawrie today visited St Louise’s Centre in Glenmaroon to help launch RESPECT Ireland as the Official Charity of the 2013 Irish Open, to be played at Carton House Golf Club in Co. Kildare from June 27-30.

RESPECT Ireland has been chosen by the Trustees of The European Tour charitable arm, the Tour Players Foundation (TPF), due to the sterling work it does for people of all ages with intellectual disabilities in the Dublin area and its strong association with the host venue Carton House and the venue owners, the Mallaghan Family.

The charity has two residential care projects in the Dublin area (within 20km of Carton House) – St Joseph’s, Consilla, and the other at St Louise’s Centre, Glenmaroon, both offering specially designed accommodation and hospice facilities, which were in evidence during today’s official launch.

RESPECT Ireland is an esteemed Registered Charity, responsible for fundraising projects for people with intellectual disabilities of all ages within the Daughters of Charity Service and well supported in the business and sports/entertainment sectors in Ireland.

RESPECT staff were joined by key stakeholders from this year’s Irish Open during the visit to St Louise’s Centre, the state-of-the-art second Centre opened by RESPECT Ireland which takes the form of nine specially-designed bungalows, a day care area and restaurant. The visiting party included members of the Mallaghan family and former Spanish Open champion Lawrie, who is a strong supporter of both RESPECT and the Tour Players Foundation.

The charity will benefit greatly from a number of fundraising activities which will take place during the Irish Open at Carton House, engaging sponsors, partners and spectators alike in support of the Official Charity.

Lawrie, one of the leading Irish players who will be bidding to capture the Irish Open title over the Montgomerie Course at Carton House next month, said: “I have supported RESPECT for a number of years, so its wonderful to see them benefit from the Irish Open’s return to the Dublin area, as this and their Centre in Consilla are key to the fabulous difference they make to people of all ages with intellectual disabilities.” 

Dermot Desmond, Chairman of RESPECT Ireland, said: "The Irish Open Championship hosted at Carton House will bring together the top golfers from around the world. RESPECT is very pleased to be the chosen Charity for this year’s Irish Open, offering a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work of RESPECT as we look to the future for our people with an intellectual disability and securing a better and brighter future for all of our people."

Lee Mallaghan, a Director of both Carton House and RESPECT Ireland, said: “The Mallaghan family has been involved with RESPECT for over 20 years and we feel honoured to have been able to assist in many fundraising activities during that period.  We are very grateful that a cause so close to our hearts will be directly associated with Carton House and the Irish Open and we hope it will be a wonderful event for all concerned.” 

Mark Roe, former European Tour player and Chairman of the Tour Players Foundation, commented: “RESPECT was the standout candidate for the Official Charity of this year’s Irish Open and we look forward to creating awareness of the great work that they do locally with Carton House and help them to raise much needed funds for their future projects.”

The world of horse racing and professional golf came together at the Curragh races today (Sunday April 7) when the exciting Irish ‘Double Ticket’ initiative was officially launched by famous faces from the two sports which will form part of a ‘Super Saturday’ of world class action in County Kildare on June 29.

European Tour champions Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane, who will next be seen competitively in Ireland during the Irish Open at Carton House Golf Club, together with last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winning combination of trainer Aidan O’Brien and his jockey son Joseph, were on hand to launch the innovative ticket package and present the prizes to the winning connections.

One ticket costing just €50 will permit fans of racing and golf to enjoy one of the best sporting and social occasions of the year in the third round of the Irish Open at Carton House during the day followed by the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh in the evening.

With the golf commencing early in the day, and the Derby meeting starting in late afternoon, sports enthusiasts will have the perfect opportunity to experience what promises to be two of the great summer events, both taking place in Co. Kildare and close to the capital of Dublin.

To add another touch of fun and excitement to an already packed programme, The European Tour will be opening the facilities within the Tented Village at Carton House from 7.30am on the day in order for early arrivals to the Irish Open to enjoy a hearty ‘Lions Breakfast’ and watch the second rugby union Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions (kick-off 10.00am) live on the big screens located in the village.

To get the initiative off the first tee and out of the starting stalls today, The European Tour sponsored the inaugural Irish Open Alleged Stakes (Listed), one of the main features on the competitive seven-race card, with many well known personalities from golf and racing attending a reception which took place before the first race.

Meanwhile, on June 29, Irish Derby sponsors, Dubai Duty Free, have kindly extended an invitation to the Irish Open competitors, their wives and partners to enjoy the spectacle of Ireland’s Classic race once they have completed their ‘day job’ at Carton House.

Evan Arkwright, Commercial Manager of the Curragh Racecourse, commented: “The Irish Double initiative is an extension of the very good partnership that we enjoyed with The European Tour during The 2006 Ryder Cup and it is a fantastic opportunity to strongly link both events in order to maximise the potential to attract visitors from all over the world to come to County Kildare for two fantastic events as part of the Gathering.”

He added, “In addition to the joint ticket we plan to unveil other exciting promotions between us over the coming months.”

Antonia Beggs, Irish Open Championship Director, commented: “We are thrilled to be participating in one of the great days of sport on June 29. ‘Super Saturday’ is an appropriate name for a day which starts with the Lions at breakfast, continues with the all-important third round of the Irish Open at Carton House and concludes with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

“We believe that €50 to gain access to two world class sporting events represents tremendous value for money and we are delighted to be working once again in partnership with the Curragh following the success of The Ryder Cup initiative in 2006. Fans of golf and racing alike are sure to have a day to remember.”

Lawrie and McGrane presenting the prizes to the winning connections after the Irish Open Alleged Stakes.

The winner of the Irish Open Alleged Stakes (Listed Race), ran over 1 mile 2 furlongs, was Parish Hall, the 11/8 favourite, owned by Mrs J S Bolger, trained by Jim Bolger and ridden by Kevin Manning.

Golf and racing fans hoping to take advantage of the €50 ‘double ticket’ offer can purchase this, or any other ticket, now from www.europeantour.com/tickets / www.curragh.ie or telephone EUROPEAN TOUR Ticket Hotline: +440800 023 2557. Irish callers can phone: 1890 252 698 or call the Curragh on +353 45 441205

To: All Members Categories 1-15

Date: 30th November 2012

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

Further to my earlier Memorandum, Nominations for election to the Tournament Committee closed on 31st October 2012.

This year, the retiring members were Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, Richard Finch and Barry Lane.

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño and Richard Finch both offered themselves for re-election and Barry Lanedecided to resign his position on the Tournament Committee.

Three new nominations were received from Fredrik Andersson Hed, Peter Lawrie and Francesco Molinari.

These three new nominations added to the two retiring members offering themselves for re-electionmeant that there were five people standing for election this year.

57 members voted at the recent election to fill the 3 vacancies on the Tournament Committee.

As a result of this election, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, Peter Lawrie and Francesco Molinari have beenelected to office and your Tournament Committee for 2013 now comprises the following:-

Thomas Björn - Chairman
Felipe Aguilar
Paul Casey
Darren Clarke
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño
Joakim Haeggman
David Howell
Raphaël Jacquelin
Miguel Angel Jiménez
Peter Lawrie
Robert Karlsson
Paul McGinley
Francesco Molinari
Colin Montgomerie
Henrik Stenson

Kind regards,
Jonathan Orr
Company Secretary

Peter Lawrie started the week clutching the final ticket to the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, and the Irishman appears on course to end it with his berth booked for the season finale after signing for his second successive round of 68 at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

Lawrie came into this week’s US$2million tournament a mere €14,997 ahead of his nearest Race to Dubai rival, Englishman David Howell, but has consolidated his position in the top 60 of the Rankings with a polished performance at Hong Kong Golf Club.

The former Open de España champion suffered an early wobble this morning, bogeying the fourth hole, but subsequently made light of the stiff breeze with restorative birdies at the seventh and eighth.

Lawrie eagled the par five 13th on the opening day, and he again showed his liking for the hole with a birdie on day two to move to four under par and within sight of the leaders – and indeed a trip to Dubai.

He said: “I came into the week in 60th position, which could be fortunate or unfortunate, depending on what way you look at it. I’ve been moving down the Rankings all the time over the last five weeks, after not getting into tournaments. So it’s quite difficult to get that out of your head this week.

“As I said to a few people at home, I have to try to play mind games with myself this week and try to get past it. I was in a similar position last year and managed to make Dubai, so hopefully we can get there again.

“I attempted to work out what I would need to guarantee my place when I got here on Monday, but I ripped it up straightaway and said to myself: 'Don’t even go there, Peter'. Apart from anything, it’s complicated by the fact that South Africa finishes after us. So you could be on the plane to Dubai thinking you’ve made it, and all of a sudden you find out you haven’t.  But we’ll just work away and see where it takes us.”

Meanwhile, at the SA Open Championship, Henrik Stenson, the man directly above Lawrie in the rankings, opened up a four shot lead at the Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate.

The Dubai resident produced a scintillating seven under par round of 65, which was highlighted by a number of booming drives to set up five birdies and an eagle.

"It's nice to get the feel back with the driver and get a bit of confidence,” he said.

“It's a huge advantage - there are probably seven or eight holes where it makes a difference.”

In many ways the predicaments of Lawrie and Stenson are nice ones in contrast to the battle to claim a coveted place on The 2013 European Tour International Schedule, which is altogether more intense.

Andrew Dodt, currently in 122nd place in The Race to Dubai, gave himself every chance of retaining his playing privileges with an opening round of 65 in Hong Kong, but seemingly undid some of his hard work after dropping five shots in his last five holes on day two.

However, the Australian is comfortably inside the cut mark on two under par, and so has two rounds left this season to try to earn enough money to force his way into the top 119 – unlike Welshman Bradley Dredge (121st in The Race to Dubai), who is on his way home after finishing on three par.

In South Africa, Lloyd Saltman moved himself up the leaderboard with seven birdies, although only a win will ensure he guarantees a spot on the Tour.

“It's a sort of last-chance saloon for me,” he conceded.

Tommy Fleetwood needs to leap above five players in the rankings to retain his place next season and he put himself in a prime position to do just that.

The Englishman picked up five shots on the front nine’s first six holes before the elements curtailed his run.

Italian Molinari was among the later starters and in a week of low scoring he probably expected to see himself overtaken before he resumed.

And Lawrie was first to draw level with The Ryder Cup star on ten under par after a hattrick of birdies from the 13th - his fourth – and a further gain at the 17th.

Spaniard Alejandro Cañizares bogeyed the first to fall three behind, but Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez, England’s Anthony Wall and former US PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer were all going well to join the swelling group tied for third on seven under.

Phil Mickelson's attempt to fight his way back into the event was given a huge boost when he holed a 60 yard shot on his very first hole.

The three-time Masters Tournament champion was not even in the top 120 after an opening one over par 73 at Castle Stuart Golf Links left him 11 strokes behind Molinari.

Making an eagle two at the 363 yard tenth instantly moved him up 37 places, although he was still outside the predicted halfway cut mark.

The early drama also included a hole-in-one by Scot Peter Whiteford at the 168 yard 11th to take him to five under - but the prize of 168 bottles of champagne was claimed yesterday by England's Andrew Johnston. Lawrie, with one European Tour win in nearly 300 events, remained out in front with Molinari, but up into third place only one back was 2009 champion Kaymer.

It was some comeback after the German finished last of those who made the cut in the Alstom Open de France last week.

Mickelson had to settle for five successive pars after his initial eagle and at one under he knew he needed to make more progress to be around for the weekend.

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Stephen and Peter discuss their new Sponsor "GREENi."

Watch the video here

Scot David Drysdale and Ireland's Peter Lawrie continued to set the pace in the early stages of the BMW PGA Championship second round at Wentworth today.

The pair started with six under par rounds of 66 and were back on the course before 8am on another glorious morning.

Drysdale, 291st in the world, bogeyed the first, but came back with birdies at the fourth and fifth.

Lawrie, ranked 212th, also picked up a birdie at the long fourth and at seven under they were a stroke ahead of Welshman Jamie Donaldson, Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and Italian Francesco Molinari.

Donaldson, still seeking his first European Tour victory after more than 250 starts, recovered from an opening bogey with an eagle at the 552-yard fourth, while recent Spanish Open winner Molinari birdied the first two holes and Quiros showed he was not all about big-hitting by holing from 18 feet on the short second.

He was playing with World Number Two Luke Donald and World Number Ten Justin Rose. Donald hit his opening drive into a bunker and bogeyed, but then holed from 14 feet on the next to return to four under, while Rose remained five under.

World Number One Rory McIlroy and third-ranked Lee Westwood were among the later starters. They stood two under and two over respectively.

Drysdale's third birdie in four holes came on the 391 yard eighth, but it was only moments before Lawrie joined him again with a three at the 418 yard sixth.

Rose, who feared he might have to pull out before the start on Thursday because of dizziness, matched the Dubliner's birdies on the fourth and sixth and at seven under was up into a tie for third with Quiros and Molinari, but Donaldson, joint leader after a two at the short fifth, bogeyed two of the next three.

Donald continued to lurk menacingly. He picked up more shots on the fourth and fifth to stand six under and joint sixth, while 48 year old three-time winner Colin Montgomerie was not doing badly either. He was another to birdie the fourth and that took him to four under.

Source: European Tour

Defending champion Luke Donald and Ireland's Peter Lawrie were the new leaders at the BMW PGA Championship as the third round developed at Wentworth Club.

The pair reached ten under par, two ahead of Justin Rose, as overnight leader James Morrison struggled.

The 27 year old began the day with a four stroke lead after the former England Youth cricketer - he played with Alastair Cook and Tim Bresnan - had gone round in a sparkling 64 to take charge of The European Tour's flagship event.

But on his return the World Number 236 had two eights and two bogeys in the first eight holes and by the turn was seven strokes behind.

Morrison bogeyed the first after hitting his second into sand and then found all manner of trouble on the long fourth. It is rated the easiest hole on the course, but proved anything but for Morrison. In the right rough off the tee he hooked out of bounds, hit his fourth shot back into the trees, duffed a chip and by taking three more fell one behind.

He could not get up and down from another bunker at the next, then had a quadruple bogey on the eighth. There he was in the trees for one and in water for three.

Playing partner David Drysdale was suffering almost as much. He put two balls in the drink at the eighth and also took eight, bogeyed the next, double-bogeyed the short tenth and dropped another shot on the 11th to be only one under.

Donald, needing a top eight finish to go back to World Number One after Rory McIlroy's second successive missed cut, was also bunkered on the first, but saved par from 12 feet.

He was then on in two at the fourth and two-putted for birdie, then rattled off seven pars in a row before picking up another shot at the long 12th.

Former Open de España champion Lawrie, playing alongside him, birdied the fourth, eighth and tenth. The best early score was a 69 from Ian Poulter that took him to three under, while Lee Westwood had a 70 for one under that included six birdies, but also a 30 foot putt for a triple bogey seven on the 13th, where he twice left shots in a fairway bunker and had a penalty drop in between.

Source: European Tour

GREENi, which debuts at the BMW PGA Championship, is a new player mapping service aimed at observing the pace of play in golf tournaments and allowing spectators to find exactly where players are on the course, will be showcased at The European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, this week.

Using the latest GPS technology attached to each walking scorer, GREENi tracks each group over 18 holes, providing player location data which is then used by European Tour Rules Officials to measure, monitor and manage the pace of play.

Spectators can also use GREENi to establish the exact location of their favourite player on the course through mobile devices and tablets, enhancing their experience at an event.

Launched last year, it is being employed for the first time this week over the famous West Course at Wentworth Club, where Luke Donald will defend his title at the BMW PGA Championship.

David Garland, The European Tour's Director of Tour Operations, said: "The European Tour is, and always has been, serious about improving the pace of play at all of our tournaments and using new technology such as GREENi is another tool that could help us."

Steve Schindler, Director of GP Sports, said: "GREENi allows us to see exactly where players are on the course at any time which can help Rules Officials to easily identify and speed up any slow groups, while the spectator experience is enhanced by the ability to know where your favourite player is on the course at any given time.

"This is the first time the service has been used at a professional event and we hope The European Tour will find it very beneficial and it can be used at many more tournaments around the world."

European Tour professional and GREENi Ambassador Peter Lawrie said: "With the help of the GREENi service, the situation on the golf course will never again be an unknown. It is also the ideal service for tournament spectators who are able to pinpoint exactly where their favourite players are."

To learn more about the service visit www.greeni.com. Spectators attending the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club should look for the screens around the Village and beside the Big Screen to locate their favourite player on the West Course.

Exciting week ahead, Greeni being launched at BMW PGA Championships at Wentworth.

Peter has agreed terms with the Finnish Technology company, Greeni, to act as both their Ambassador and Agent throughout the UK & Ireland.

European Tour 2012

1. "Lawrie Leads in Siciliy..." Sky Sports News March 2012


2. Peter Lawrie stormed to an eight under par 64 to lead after the opening round of the Sicilian Open at Verdura Golf Resort & Spa European Tour

We are delighted to welcome 2 new sponsors to Team Lawrie this season:

1. Amanatlas Golf Academy, which is a purpose built 7* On site Golf Academy and Luxury Villa. Please see their website and book a visit, Lotfi Elarabi the owner, will personally be your perfect host.


2. Axia, which is a Swiss Independent Portfolio Company, Peter has forged very strong relationship with their owner Lawrence Lewinson.