Lawrie bunkered for golf comments

Paul Lawrie won the Open golf championship in 1999

Former Open golf champion Paul Lawrie has been barred from an exclusive club after reportedly criticising the state of the course's greens.

Aberdeen golfer Lawrie famously won the Open at Carnoustie in 1999.

However, he has been told not to return to Meldrum House Golf Club - although the club said that could change if an apology was made.

The golfer, due to play in the Irish Open this week, has so far been unavailable for comment.

A Meldrum House spokesman said: "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.

606: DEBATE Definitely food for thought for any of us who have ever aired our feelings about poor course conditions or issues with the way the club was being run chillidipper

"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."

'Discuss the problem'

A friend of the golfer - prominent local hotelier Stewart Spence - said he hoped things could be sorted out.

Mr Spence told BBC Scotland: "It's a long-term relationship dating back to when Paul won the Open.

"You do not like to see divorces happen. The best thing to do is bang some heads and discuss the problem."

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.