R&A Appoints New Director in Latin America

Golf authority the R&A has appointed experienced golf administrator Mark Lawrie as its Director in Latin America.

Lawrie will join The R&A from the Asociación Argentina de Golf, cough where he has served as Executive Director since 2000.

In his new role, viagra Lawrie will be closely involved in the staging of the Latin America Amateur Championship, a joint initiative between The R&A, the Masters and the USGA, which will be played for the first time at Pilar Golf in Buenos Aires from 15-18 January 2015.

His wider responsibilities will include overseeing The R&A’s development work in Latin America. The R&A supports a range of existing championships in the region, Rules education programmes and development projects in several countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay which, in many cases, have led to the establishment of public golf courses and facilities.

Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark on board and believe his appointment will enable us to enhance our co-ordination of the increasing range of initiatives we are supporting in Latin America. We have taken a similar approach in the Asia-Pacific region which has proved extremely effective.

“The R&A has been actively supporting golf in Latin America for more than a decade and we have invested considerably in championships and development projects. With golf set to return to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 there is a real opportunity to attract more people to take up the sport.”

Lawrie, who will continue to be based in Buenos Aires, said, “I am very pleased to be joining The R&A and to have the opportunity to assist with the important work it does in developing golf in Latin America. The advent of the Latin America Amateur Championship is a major step forward and will create an important platform for elite amateurs to compete and progress their careers.

“I will also be working closely with The R&A’s affiliated organisations in the region to ensure that we are effectively supporting their work in encouraging participation in golf.”

He will take up his new role with The R&A with immediate effect.