Marc Warren Launches Mindroom as Official Charity for 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management

Scotland’s Marc Warren, a three-time winner on The European Tour, recently visited Gullane Golf Club to help announce the appointment of Mindroom as Official Charity for the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, to be played over the unique Championship Course at Gullane from July 9-12.

Warren, currently ranked 53rd in the world, joined representatives from Mindroom, Aberdeen Asset Management, VisitScotland, The European Tour and the host club to launch a set of initiatives which will raise substantial funds for the charity.

Mindroom, established at the start of the new millennium, works with the parents and carers of children and young people with learning difficulties throughout Scotland and offers independent support to enable them to reduce family stress and bring about better outcomes for the child.

Meanwhile, The Tour Players Foundation (TPF) – the charitable arm of The European Tour and Aberdeen Asset Management who both endorsed Mindroom as the 2015 Official Charity – have joined forces once again developing a series of charitable initiatives to be launched in conjunction with this year’s campaign which should ensure that a substantial sum is raised and leave a strong legacy from the golf tournament’s visit to East Lothian.

A recent addition to Aberdeen Asset Management’s team of golfing Ambassadors, Warren, who came agonisingly close to winning the Scottish Open title in 2012 and finished third last year, commented: “This is a tournament very close to my heart for obvious reasons, and it’s great that Mindroom should be appointed as the Official Charity of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

“With the event coming to Gullane for the first time just two months from now, it is rewarding to know that we are able to raise valuable funds and also increase the awareness of Mindroom’s outstanding charitable work throughout Scotland thanks to a series of exciting fundraising initiatives during the event week.”

This year will see the continuation of the Championship’s charity Birdie Pledge, which sees a set amount pledged by the TPF and the title sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management, and which will take place during the four rounds of the championship.

Spectators can also play their part by supporting Mindroom by buying tickets in the Championship Grand Prize Draw, a donation of £1 per ticket will give the chance of winning a number of fantastic prizes, such as tee times for four golfers at Scottish Open venues past and present.  100% of donations will go directly to Mindroom.

Peter Adams, Championship Director of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, said: “On behalf of the European Tour and the Tour Players Foundation, I would like to thank Marc for his generous support to the Official Charity Launch at Gullane Golf Club today.

“Marc’s presence here underlines the importance of the Championship embracing a very deserving Scottish charity. We are all looking forward to a highly successful partnership between Mindroom and a tournament which ranks among the very best on The European Tour as can be seen by the quality of this year’s field, which brings together Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Phil Mickelson and Scotland’s very own Ryder Cup winners, Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher, in this spectacular golfing enclave in East Lothian in July.”

Stephen Docherty, Head of Global Equities at Aberdeen Asset Management, added: “It is with great delight that we are able to announce our support of Mindroom for this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. A big thank you must go to Marc for showing his support today to what is such a worthy cause, and we look forward to helping Mindroom raise funds in an exciting Scottish summer of golf.”

Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said: “The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is well known for undertaking some very innovative charitable initiatives with great backing from the players as Marc has illustrated today. I am delighted that Mindroom, an organisation which does great work in the Lothians and across Scotland, will benefit from the 2015 tournament at Gullane in Scotland, the Home of Golf.”

Sophie Dow, Founder of Mindroom, commented: “We are so grateful for this opportunity to highlight the needs of children and young people with learning difficulties and raise funds to enable Mindroom to help them get the best support possible.  Unless you have close connections with a child who has ‘additional support needs’ it may be very difficult to understand the reality of day to day life where spending a half day at school is an achievement and over-worked and under-resourced services struggle to help everyone.

“Parents feel guilt, frustration and helplessness and need someone who can stand alongside them to find a way forward. Thanks to this wonderful opportunity presented to us by Aberdeen Asset Management and The European Tour, Mindroom will now be able to help so many more children and their families in desperate need of our support. Thank you!”

A season ticket for the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open can be purchased for £70 in advance of the tournament, a saving of £10 on admission at the gate. Adult day tickets are currently priced at £30, rising to £35 on the gate.

Concessions (60 and over) start at £50 for a season ticket and £20 for any one day tickets, if
purchased in advance. Under-16s accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge, and all car parking is also free. Entry to the Pro-Am on Wednesday is £12 in advance, and £15 on the day.

To book tickets, visit www.europeantour.com/tickets or call 0800 023 2557.

Further information can also be found at www.aamscottishopen.com