Lions spotted on the fairways

Eagle-eyed Blairgowrie Golf Club members may have spotted Lions prowling the sun-kissed Rosemount Championship Course.

Former British and Irish Lions captain Gavin Hastings was joined by Kenny Milne and Andy Irvine, who featured on three tours and filled the role as tour manager for the Lions in 2013 when they beat Australia over three Tests.

Carbon Financial and international rugby stars have been long-time supporters of the Bill McLaren Foundation Golf Day.

Gavin entertained guests with tales of his recent trip to London, where he joined fellow past Lions captains for the announcement of the GB&I squad which will tour Australia this summer.

The international veterans clocked-up more than 150 Scotland caps between them.

The golf day honours were taken by a team which included the legendary commentator’s daughter Linda Lawson and her husband Alan, another Scotland international.

The charity has raised more than £1.7 million through 55 events over the last 15 years, benefiting a wide range of sports at the grassroots level.

Gordon Wilson, managing director of Carbon Financial, said: “We are longstanding supporters of the Foundation which does fantastic work in memory of Bill McLaren, promoting grassroots sport and the values he believed in.”

The latest beneficiaries include two promising young netball players based in Shetland, who had their transport costs funded for international squad training sessions in Glasgow, a Dundee rugby project and rugby coaching in Malawi.

Linda thanked the club for the warmth of their welcome and Carbon Financial for their support.

She said her father had fond memories of golfing at Blairgowrie, having featured with fellow commentator and honorary member Peter Alliss in a 1980 recording of the programme “Around with Alliss,” winning four of their six holes together.

British and Irish Lions veterans Gavin Hastings (left), Kenny Milne and Andy Irvine played in the Bill McLaren Foundation Golf Day at Blairgowrie

Former Lions skipper Gavin Hastings shared tour tales with guests

Gordon Wilson, managing director of Carbon Financial, presented the prizes to the winning team (from left) Alan Lawson, Linda Lawson, George Kean and Grigor Stirling. Pic credit Fraser Band Photography

Team GB Olympic curling coach David Hay, British Lions veteran Kenny Milne, Carbon Financial director Mark Christie and Blairgowrie member Gordon Bannerman