Lawrie heads field at Pinmar Golf charity day

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  • July 30, 2017

Former Open champion Paul Lawrie and Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher head a list of more than 300 golfers taking part in the annual Pinmar Golf charity event at Mallorca's number-one golf destination, Son Gual.

Well established as one of the island's biggest charity events – and a highlight of the superyacht industry's social calendar – the Pinmar Golf has raised almost €850,000 for worthy causes in its 28 previous outings.

The 29th edition, from October 19-21, is the first to be attended by Lawrie in his new role as golf ambassador for Pinmar, the global industry leader for yacht painting services.

The 1999 Open champion and eight-time European Tour winner said: "I got to know Remy (Millott, chief executive of Pinmar's parent company GYG plc) through my former manager who introduced us. Remy told me they were looking for someone to come and host the golf tournament, run a clinic, have a round with some guests, do a Q&A and award prizes.

"We really got along, so the deal easily came together. I've now got the Pinmar logo on the right side of my cap and am looking forward to the golf at Son Gual. Everyone I've spoken to about it raves about Son Gual so I'm sure we'll have a great time."

Millott added: "I am particularly excited about this year's plans for the Pinmar Golf 2017. Whilst preserving the values of friendship, charity and enjoyment that serve the event so well each year, this time we have introduced several carefully considered venue changes, an all-new theatrical performance from international show director Martyn Smith, and the presence of fresh high-profile celebrity ambassadors in the shape of Paul and Kirsty – alongside Faithless' Sister Bliss for the After Party.

"Add 320 amateur golfers competing in 80 teams and 1,000 VIP guests to the mix and we have an entertainment-packed weekend. The Pinmar Golf 2017 is sure to be the best yet."

Last year's event raised more than €81,000 and organisers are looking to better that total this year. In a twist, the winners of the Pinmar Golf decide where half of the charity money goes, so each team is playing for a substantial sum.

Last year's beneficiaries included the Shambhala Fundacion, which takes care of vulnerable youths in Mallorca; the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which saves lives at sea; La Sonrisa Medica, which brings joy, music and laughter to Mallorca's public hospitals; and ALKFI, which helps disadvantaged Filipino families through childcare, disaster management and environmental conservation.

A dozen or more worthy causes, many of them relating to the nautical industry, also feature as recipients of the Pinmar Golf's fundraising efforts.

Son Gual's €30m Thomas Himmel-designed 7,240-yards, par-70 course celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. It features large lakes, 66 bunkers, 800 olive trees – some more than a thousand years old – wild flowers in the rough and vineyards in several areas around the course. It includes several outstanding, memorable holes, including a closing hole described by one reviewer as a "serious contender for Europe's best par-five and Spain's most dramatic 18th", plus one of the best collections of par-three holes in Spain.

Son Gual is also a regular celebrity haunt – visitors have included German FIFA World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthäus; German national football manager Joachim Löw; the former mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg; tennis' 15-time grand-slam event winner Rafael Nadal; and any number of instantly recognizable faces from the worlds of TV and entertainment.

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