For the first time in its 125-year history, The Nairn Golf Club has given its support to a touring professional competing at the highest level. The historic commitment means Ladies European Tour-rookie Pamela Pretswell will sport the famous cross-club logo and represent the prestigious Highland club during her first season on tour.
The association is especially significant as Pamela’s last amateur match was played out over the famous Scottish links when she helped GB&I to win the Curtis Cup in a historic victory over America last year. The remarkable result, and the bonds that were formed during it, created the perfect foundations on which to base a formal arrangement between the club and Pamela.
“I have been back many times to Nairn since the Curtis Cup and, to be honest, it feels like my second home,” she said. “I love it there; the people are so friendly, the views are stunning and there aren’t many golf courses like it. I feel very proud to be representing a great club like Nairn with such a long history and an established worldwide reputation. The whole thing gives me a lot of confidence.”
Created through the combined creative efforts of Archie Simpson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid and Ben Sayers, The Nairn Golf Club is a regular entry in various top 25 course rankings and is one of Scotland’s most treasured links courses. Until now, the club has resisted the idea of formalising relationships with tour players but the historic home win seems to have presented the perfect opportunity to make its first notable commitment.
“Pamela is a phenomenal talent and The Nairn Golf Club is proud to support her at the start of her professional career,” noted Ian Cooper, the club’s captain. “Pamela’s involvement in last year’s Curtis Cup was immense and we felt it was appropriate that our first association with a professional golfer should be with one of the key members of that historic winning team. We look forward to helping Pamela throughout her career and no doubt celebrating with her in the future.”
The Nairn Golf Club joins two other sponsors actively supporting Pamela during her first season on the Ladies European Tour. As Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management, noted, the 23-year-old’s attributes both on and of the course make her a perfect brand ambassador.
“Dedication and hard work are qualities we actively look for in our global golf ambassadors and Pamela is currently doing a great job representing our brand all over the world,” he said. “We wish her every success and the best of luck for the remainder of the season.”
In a similar vain, Glenmuir and Sunderland’s managing director Colin Mee said he was delighted to be involved in the sponsorship arrangement: “Pamela looks to have the ability and desire to go far in professional golf. She knows how to win and we have no doubt she will be a fantastic ambassador for Glenmuir, Sunderland and Scottish golf in general.”