David Law can vaguely remember Paul Lawrie winning the Open at Carnoustie in 1999.  Ten years on and Scotland’s most recent major champion is now one of the youngsters most influential mentors. 

The Hazlehead 17-year-old, a member of the Grampian Institute of Sport, is recognised as one of our best young talents, and he will be one of the favourites to collect the prestigious Scottish Boys’ Championship at Royal Aberdeen this month. 

Second behind Michael Stewart in last year’s Scottish Golf Union’s Boys’ Order of Merit, David is among an impressive stable of golfers coached by Neil Marr at Meldrum House in Aberdeenshire.  The list also includes Curtis Cup star Michele Thomson and Chris Robb, who just sneaked in ahead of Law in last month’s opening SGU Junior Tournament of the season at Kingbarns. 

“Paul is also coached by Neil and I see him a lot whenever he’s at home,” said Law. “He’s been a great help to me, giving me little tips and lots of advice. I do remember him winning the Open and now it’s great to be working with him. He’s done an awful lot for junior golf in Scotland.”

One day, Law would love to emulate his fellow Aberdonian. And he already has a plan mapped out to take him to the very top of the golfing tree. Since last August, he has been a full-time golfer.

“I went back to school (Aberdeen Grammar) for my sixth year, but left after a few weeks because I decided it wasn’t worth while staying on. I was really just wasting my time,” explained Law, who left with a Higher in physical education.   

Now he is putting his extra hours to good use. “It’s made an enormous difference becoming a full-time golfer,” he continued.  “I can practise whenever I want and get into the gym at least three times a week. It’s just brilliant to be able to plan my time so well.”

Now he hopes to translate the perfect training routine into results on the tournament circuit. The Scottish Boys’ Championship will be the first test, but this is the season that Law, who turns 18 in May, wants to start making a name for himself at senior level.

“I would love to get into the men’s Home International Team, and I’ll be playing in all the boys’ and senior events in Scotland this season,” he said. “I’m also going to enter the British Amateur.” 

Another target will be to help Scotland mount a successful campaign at the European Boys’ Championships in July – he certainly hopes to be a team member.

Looking further ahead, and the masterplan extends to the day when he turns his passion into a career.  “Yes, I definitely want to turn professional,” he confirmed. “The idea is to make the switch after the 2011 Walker Cup.”

As for more current goals, he admits it would be a dream come true to win the Scottish Boys’ title in home turf this month. Last year – at Southerness – he reached the semi-finals, losing out to the eventual winner, Michael Stewart.  

“I’m hoping to win at Royal Aberdeen, but I know it is going to be very tough,” was how he summed up his chances. “The standard of junior golf in Scotland is very good at the moment, and it’s looking good for the future. It’s nice to be part of it. “

EB
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