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Lawrie 'not returning to course' Lawrie 'not returning to course'
(about 12 hours later)
Former Open champion Paul Lawrie has vowed never to return to an exclusive golf club after he was barred over "joke" comments about the course.Former Open champion Paul Lawrie has vowed never to return to an exclusive golf club after he was barred over "joke" comments about the course.
Aberdeen golfer Lawrie - who famously won the Open at Carnoustie in 1999 - criticised the state of the course's greens at Meldrum House Golf Club.Aberdeen golfer Lawrie - who famously won the Open at Carnoustie in 1999 - criticised the state of the course's greens at Meldrum House Golf Club.
He was told not to return, although the club said that could change if an apology was made.He was told not to return, although the club said that could change if an apology was made.
Lawrie said: "I will never apologise. I will never set foot in the place."Lawrie said: "I will never apologise. I will never set foot in the place."
He said: "I was out playing golf with my two boys at Meldrum House in the first week of the Easter holidays and thought the greens were very poor.He said: "I was out playing golf with my two boys at Meldrum House in the first week of the Easter holidays and thought the greens were very poor.
You can't get banned from a golf club for sending joke texts. It is unbelievable Paul LawrieYou can't get banned from a golf club for sending joke texts. It is unbelievable Paul Lawrie
"The greenkeeper asked what was wrong and I said the balls were bubbling about all over the place, they were not very good."The greenkeeper asked what was wrong and I said the balls were bubbling about all over the place, they were not very good.
"He said 'Are you winding me up?' and I started laughing. He was taking it badly. I was just giving my opinion as an honorary member.""He said 'Are you winding me up?' and I started laughing. He was taking it badly. I was just giving my opinion as an honorary member."
Lawrie said he sent a text to the head greenkeeper at the Aberdeenshire club as a "bit of banter".Lawrie said he sent a text to the head greenkeeper at the Aberdeenshire club as a "bit of banter".
He said: "Then I got a letter saying due to my comments and text messages I could no longer go to the golf club. It was all blown out of proportion.He said: "Then I got a letter saying due to my comments and text messages I could no longer go to the golf club. It was all blown out of proportion.
"You can't get banned from a golf club for sending joke texts. It is unbelievable."You can't get banned from a golf club for sending joke texts. It is unbelievable.
"If I said something bad to someone I would be the first person to apologise.""If I said something bad to someone I would be the first person to apologise."
'Wholly unacceptable''Wholly unacceptable'
A Meldrum House spokesman said earlier: "While the club recognises that any member, or qualified individual, has the right to offer constructive input into the course and facilities at Meldrum House, it finds Mr Lawrie's recent conduct towards members of staff wholly unacceptable and certainly not befitting the status he has been granted at the club, or as a professional golfer.A Meldrum House spokesman said earlier: "While the club recognises that any member, or qualified individual, has the right to offer constructive input into the course and facilities at Meldrum House, it finds Mr Lawrie's recent conduct towards members of staff wholly unacceptable and certainly not befitting the status he has been granted at the club, or as a professional golfer.
"As a result, the directors have asked Mr Lawrie not to return to Meldrum House."As a result, the directors have asked Mr Lawrie not to return to Meldrum House.
"This situation would be reviewed if a full and unreserved apology was made to the club and staff.""This situation would be reviewed if a full and unreserved apology was made to the club and staff."
The golfer is playing in the Irish Open which starts on Thursday. The golfer is playing in the Irish Open which started on Thursday morning.
He made a flawless start, finishing on six under par thanks to six birdies in the space of just seven holes, and no bogeys.
Lawrie is currently spearheading the development of a £115m golf resort on the outskirts of Aberdeen.Lawrie is currently spearheading the development of a £115m golf resort on the outskirts of Aberdeen.
He is designing the course at Blairs, which has already been given the go ahead by Scottish ministers.He is designing the course at Blairs, which has already been given the go ahead by Scottish ministers.