Paul Lawrie visits Glasgow on the eve of the inaugural European Golf Team Championships
With the Glasgow 2018 European Championships well underway, Scotland’s last men’s golf Major Champion, Paul Lawrie, visited Glasgow to see how the City is embracing the latest multi-sport event to be held in the country.
On the eve of the inaugural European Golf Team Championships at Gleneagles, which represents the only new event as part of Glasgow 2018, Lawrie witnessed how golf has been brought to an urban environment as part of the Festival 2018 celebrations.
Lawrie played referee to a unique challenge match at the King Putt’s: Putting Holes in Happiness Crazy Golf Course that has been curated by artist Rob Kennedy as part of Festival 2018, the cultural programme that runs alongside the championships. Situated in Tontine Lane the crazy golf course will host a challenge match between Marc Chapman, the current MiniGolf World Champion, Andy Wilde, the reigning British Masters MiniGolf Champion, BBC golf anchor Eilidh Barbour and Scotland Rugby Sevens captain Scott Riddell.
The group were also joined by trick shot artist Kevin Carpenter, who challenged double Commonwealth Games badminton medallist, Kirsty Gilmour to some ball-juggling activities and a trick or two. Kevin will be performing a series of shows at Gleneagles and GO LIVE! at the Green throughout the Championships.
As part of his visit, Lawrie also toured the Festival 2018 GO LIVE! at the Green where he was on hand to give expert tuition to aspiring golfers in the “Have a Go” golf zones run by Scottish Golf. He also participated in a Family Healthy Eating cookery demonstration at the Kitchen Garden and a Q&A for Capital Radio on the main stage.
The 1999 Open Champion from Aberdeen said: “It is great to be here in Glasgow to see first-hand both Glasgow 2018 and Festival 2018 in action. King Putt’s: Putting Holes in Happiness crazy golf course as well the “Have a Go” activity at Glasgow Green is fantastic way to bring golf to crowds as part of a multi-sport environment.
He added: “Tomorrow will be a historic moment as the inaugural European Golf Team Championships tees off at Gleneagles. The Championships are a hugely innovative and exciting format and will provide a historic moment for equality in sport with men and women competing together in the Mixed Team event on Saturday.”
Rob Kennedy, the artist behind King Putt’s: Putting Holes in Happiness crazy golf course, said: “It’s a completely free and open to the public course in an unused space in Glasgow City Centre. It’s been constructed entirely from waste and recycled materials provided by Glasgow City Council. It is an artwork, but one that needs to be played rather than just contemplated.
“Working with local Glasgow artists and community groups on both the design and construction has meant there are many people’s creative ideas in the final mix to show that competition, collaboration and the sociability of playing games can help us to understand each other better and the world around us.”
Scotland Rugby Sevens captain, Scott Riddell, said: “Swapping the rugby pitch for a crazy golf course on the streets of Glasgow has been great fun. I’ve really enjoyed getting out to experience Festival 2018 and play alongside this impressive line-up for this challenge match.
“It’s great to have this innovative multi-sport event in Scotland and I’ve been enjoying the sporting action so far. As a golf fan, I’m looking forward to the start of the competition in Gleneagles tomorrow, especially the mixed team competition on Saturday.”
Double Commonwealth Games medallist, Kirsty Gilmour, said: “It was great to swap my badminton racket for a golf club and learn some fun tricks from Kevin as part of Glasgow 2018. I have great memories of last time the city hosted a multi-sport championships when I picked up a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, so to have this innovative new event in the city is fantastic. I hope the athletes have as much fun as I did in 2014.”
GO LIVE! at the Green is part of the 11-day long sporting and cultural celebrations in the city as part of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships. A unique and exhilarating experience, it offers fun sport and fitness activities, fantastic Scottish food and drink, innovative performances and thrilling entertainment. And best of all, it is FREE to attend!
Here’s a taster of what to expect:
The Main Stage
Enjoy ‘morning energiser’ and ‘evening wind-down’ work-out sessions, join the Science Centre’s interactive journey of discovery and take in a host of top musical performances from solo artists, rock bands and the best of young Scottish creative talent.
The Kitchen Garden
This will be home to the best in Scottish food & drink during the 11 days of GO LIVE! at The Green. Pick up tips from celebrity chefs, take part in cookery workshops or sample tasty snacks from suppliers and producers – there’s something to suit every taste!
Sport & Fitness
Sport and physical fitness is, as you’d expect, high on the agenda at GO LIVE! at The Green. You can have a go at a huge range of sports including beginners’ golf activities, computer-generated swimming challenges, indoor-rowing machine races and gymnastics taster-sessions.
Mind, Body and Soul
It’s not just physical fitness that’s important – positive mental health is also a priority and there are lots of wellbeing and nature activities on offer. Find out more about health and nature walks from Greenspace Scotland or enter the Labyrinth path and just take the opportunity to be mindful and enjoy the peace and calmness of open space. There will also be advice on volunteering, wellbeing challenges and visualisation sessions to support your dreams and aspirations.
The Big Top
Celebrate 250 years of circus in the UK by taking in breath-taking acrobatics, gravity-defying aerial feats and spectacular juggling displays in the colourful Big Top.
Thrills and Spills
Jump aboard the fabulous Ferris Wheel and revel in the panoramic views across the city or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, enjoy the exhilaration of the AirBag Freedrop by jumping from the top of a high tower and experiencing the ultimate land-based freefall activity. (Charges apply for these activities)
Year of Young People
2018 is the Year of Young People and everything in this zone has been designed by young people from across the city and beyond. Take part in Bubble Football, Human Table Football or watch stand-out performances from talented young Scottish musicians and singers.
GO LIVE! at The Green is the biggest and best, friendliest and most affordable family event of recent years so make sure you don’t miss out! Find out more at www.glasgow2018.com/go-live
