At the Pro-Am immediately prior to the 2006 British Open Champions each amateur will receive a “Pitch in For Kids” divot tool courtesy of South Ayrshire Council along with other items from the tournament sponsors.

The Council has purchased one hundred of the divot tools that while being a momento for the golfers will, very importantly, see money going to help Scotland’s vulnerable children and to help discover Scotland’s young golf champions of the future.

South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan said: “The Senior British Open Championship is a unique event, it attracts players and spectators from all over the world, and is an ideal venue to raise the profile of a good cause.

"People who buy the ‘Pitch in for Kids’ divot tool will be giving to two schemes that will benefit children, CHILDREN 1st and Paul Lawrie Junior Golf and will have a useful keepsake of the 2006 Open Championship. The divot tools will be available to members of the public at the Championship for a suggested donation of £1.”

Open Champion Paul Lawrie officially launched the “Pitch in Ford Kids” campaign at Gleneagles in June this year. The divot tool, which enables golfers to repair any damage they have made to the course, is an exclusive design, and will be sold for a suggested donation of £1 at the Championship. All profits from the sale of the divot tools will go to the Paul Lawrie Junior Golf and the Scottish charity Children 1st.

CHILDREN 1st one of Scotland’s leading child welfare charities, works to give every child in Scotland a safe and secure childhood. Across Scotland CHILDREN 1st services help children and families with a wide range of need allowing children to fulfil their potential.

Paul Lawrie said: “I was delighted when I found out that South Ayrshire Council had decided to donate some of the special divot tools. The funds will provide some crucial help for vulnerable children across Scotland and help those in CHILDREN 1st who carry out incredibly difficult work. As part of the funds will go towards identifying and assisting champion golfers of the future, I thought it only natural that the fundraising should be done using a golfing tool.”

Anyone who would like further information about CHILDREN 1ST should log onto www.children1st.org.uk. Or to find out more about Paul Lawrie Junior Golf log on to www.paullawriegolf.com.

July 2006