Latest news with #Laird
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Four-time PGA Tour winner tees up first Scottish appearance since 2018
Martin Laird set to be part of strong home contingent in Nexo Championship at Donald Trump's Aberdeen course Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Four-time PGA Tour winner Martin Laird is set to be among a minimum of 13 Scottish players teeing up in the Nexo Championship, the first DP World Tour event to be held at Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen. Laird, who has been based in the US throughout his professional career after staying on at the end of his college campaign, last played on home soil in the 2018 Scottish Open, which was sponsored by Aberdeen Standard Investments at the time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Martin Laird pictured during the recent ISCO Championship at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky |But the 42-year-old has teed up an exciting return in a fortnight's time after deciding to commit to the upcoming $2.75 million event in Aberdeenshire ahead of the entries closing on Friday morning. Laird will be playing through the category introduced through the Strategic Alliance between the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, which offers spots for a maximum of five players who finished in positions 126-200 on the FedEX Cup Standings the previous year. Laird, who has played more than 400 events on the PGA Tour and has amassed career earnings of close to $23 million, ended up 147th to lose his full playing privileges and has been mainly playing this year on the Korn Ferry Tour. The Glaswegian, who finished just outside the top ten in the recent Barracuda Championship in California, will be flying the Saltire at Trump International Golf Links, which is staging a DP World Tour event for the first time, as part of a strong Caledonian contingent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Connor Syme and Calum Hill, winners of the KLM Open and Joburg Open respectively this year, will spearhead the home challenge along with three-time DP World Tour winner Ewen Ferguson. Grant Forrest, who finished as the leading home player in the Genesis Scottish Open just under a fortnight ago, will be aiming to build on that encouraging effort while Richie Ramsay, who will be teeing up in his home city, and Scott Jamieson are also in the line up. David Law acknowledges fans after clincing his recent win on the HotelPlanner Tour in the D+D REAL Czech Challenge | Getty Images David Law, another Aberdonian and a recent winner on the HotelPlanner Tour, is teeing up as well, as are Daniel Young and Euan Walker, who are also making strong bids to secure step ups to the DP World Tour at the end of the season. Three-time DP World Tour winner Marc Warren, meanwhile, has secured a sponsor's invitation, with three more of those still up for grabs along with an amateur spot. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Also in the field are Paul O'Hara and Graeme Robertson, the pair having been handed the two national spots through topping the Arnold Clark PGA in Scotland Tartan Tour and Tartan Pro Tour points lists respectively last season. In addition to the posse of home players, fans heading to the event will get to see the new crop of winners on the DP World Tour this season, including Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra, Frenchman Martin Couvra and Norway's Kristoffer Reitan. Others teeing up include English stars Dan Brown, Jordan Smith, Richard Mansell and Marco Penge, who won the Scottish Stroke-Play Championship at Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth as an amateur in 2015. The event is part of a double-header at Trump International Golf Links, where the Stasysure PGA Senior Championship also takes place next week and is set to feature Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scottish Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
King Charles launches bizarre new product using a midge-repellant plant found near a Royal estate
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KING Charles has launched his own range of beard grooming products - made from a midge-repellant plant found on the Balmoral estate. The monarch's 50,000 acre residence in Aberdeenshire is selling a collection of beard oils, washes and balms. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Chieftain Organic Beard Oil is priced at £25 3 Balmoral Castle, nr Crathie, Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland 3 King Charles III is launching his own range of beard grooming products The new range, which also includes organic body washes, has been made in collaboration with local beard care firm Hairy Highlander. The products have all been infused with wild bog myrtle, hand-foraged from the grounds of the Balmoral estate. The plant is common in the north of Scotland and it has been used for centuries by Highlanders to keep midges away. Its leaves and twigs, when crushed and rubbed on the skin, release a fragrant oil that acts as a natural insect repellent. Balmoral Castle and Estate said the shrub 'has long been valued in Highland tradition as part of skin-soothing botanical care - especially in harsh, weather-exposed conditions'. The beard care products feature two signature scents. They are Laird – a bright, citrus-spiced blend of pink grapefruit, lemon verbena, and cinnamon leaf - and Chieftain – a grounding mix of Norwegian fir, cedarwood, and patchouli, inspired by Highland forests. A 30ml of the Chieftain Organic Beard Oil is priced at £25 on the Balmoral online store while a 200ml bottle of the Laird Organic Beard Wash costs £32. In a statement, Balmoral Castle and Estate said: 'Introducing our new collection of organic body washes, beard oils, and balms; created exclusively for Balmoral Castle and infused with wild Bog Myrtle, hand-foraged from the Balmoral Estate. 'Expertly crafted in the Highlands by Hairy Highlander. Huge Prince Harry update as he arranges peace summit with King Charles 'within weeks' – but has no plans to meet William 'Now available as part of the Balmoral Exclusive Collection.' Family firm Hairy Highlander crafts organic grooming products from wild-harvested botanicals and donates 10 per cent of its profits to rewilding northern Scotland, helping restore native habitats and support long-term ecological regeneration. The company said it was 'a real honour to create this bespoke grooming range for Balmoral Castle'. Balmoral estate launched an online shop to sell merchandise last year and other products include a tartan throw priced at almost £1,000. The store features a range of gifts inspired by the Royal residence including socks, dog leads, baby clothing and beanie hats. The centrepiece of the collection is items made using the newly launched Balmoral hunting tartan which was created by leading designer Araminta Birse-Stewart. They include a £962 cashmere tartan throw, a tartan scarf priced at £385 and a shawl made using the fabric which costs £140. The tartan has also been used to create a hot water bottle and a hair scrunchie. Balmoral, in the heart of Royal Deeside, has been a Scottish holiday home for the Royal Family for decades and Queen Elizabeth died there aged 96 in September 2022.
The Age
19-07-2025
- The Age
Homophobia: Melbourne's gay scene defies hate
'These things were almost in our past,' he said. '[But] I think over time we've seen this escalate, where people start to feel a confidence [that they can] shut down these events. And it just builds and builds and builds. And I think there's too much confidence in this far-right activity at the moment.' Loading Ball was part of a forum recently held at The Laird alongside Victoria Police to talk to members of the community about how to stay safe on the back of more than 35 arrests since October for assault, robbery, false imprisonment and even extortion in a new form of homophobic violence in which perpetrators use apps such as TikTok to post and boast about their crimes. Last month, three 20-year-old men pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the County Court of Victoria, claiming their actions were a case of 'mistaken vigilantism' against men they suspected to be sex offenders. The court heard disturbing details of the trio's crimes including how they lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff, using fake profiles, before brutally assaulting and robbing them. In one incident, a victim aged in his 50s was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy after first matching with one of the men who used a fake profile of a 22-year-old man. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, showed the victim being set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole. Loading A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was 'absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society' and urged any victims to come forward – even for historical incidents – when ready. 'It's crucial that the community understands that dating apps are not investigators – police are the only ones able to conduct a criminal investigation and hold perpetrators to account.' While police hunt for the Laird vandals, community leaders are demanding wider government action. Greens state MP for Richmond Gabrielle De Vietri said the attack was part of a 'co-ordinated pattern of far-right, homophobic violence that's becoming increasingly emboldened'. She has requested the premier and minister for equality 'urgently meet with our community who deserve to be heard and to feel safe'. Commissioner Ball says the rise in hateful conduct requires a multipronged government response. He welcomed that Premier Jacinta Allan had discussed expanding the new anti-hate taskforce beyond its initial focus on antisemitism to include attacks on the queer community. He is also calling for a new, independent reporting tool to track incidents for data purposes, separate from the criminal justice system. Loading 'We know already there are far more instances where gay men have been bashed than have been reported, and that's because people are quite afraid [to go to police],' he says. Responding to The Age , Minister for Equality Vicki Ward said in a statement: 'Any violence targeting LGBTIQA+ communities is abhorrent and unacceptable. These are not isolated incidents, and we take them very seriously.' The minister pointed to recently passed legislation. 'We've passed stronger anti-vilification laws, including specifically protecting the LGBTIQA+ community. We've banned the public display of the Nazi symbol and introduced new 'post and boast' laws to criminalise violent, hate-driven crimes being glorified online.' Back at The Laird, business continues as usual and management aren't taking a backwards step. Owner Brett Lasham's staff had the rainbow flags up over the graffiti as soon as it was spotted, and it was scrubbed off by the time patrons rocked up for their first beer at 3pm. Loading Lasham says that as a 53-year-old bloke, he isn't intimidated – he even plans to print T-shirts using the vandals 'fag' tag to wear at the bar – but he is fiercely protective of his patrons and their sense of feeling safe. 'I'd love to sit at a table with one of these people [and ask] what is it that made you want to do that?' Arcuri, who first found the vandalism, has also built up a thick skin after years of being targeted as drag performer. 'It didn't hurt me. It was just like, 'God, this is an annoying way to spend my Sunday morning' … I don't have a key to get the paint,' he says. He's learnt that every instance of hate is an opportunity to reframe the narrative for the gay community on their terms. 'People walk out of this place tall. They don't walk out of this place small,' Arcuri said. 'It's a space that lets them be themselves, affirm who they are.' Anyone with information is urged to contact Collingwood Police Station on (03) 8413 1700, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline: 1800 497 212.
Sydney Morning Herald
18-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘People walk out tall': Melbourne's gay scene defies hate
'These things were almost in our past,' he said. '[But] I think over time we've seen this escalate, where people start to feel a confidence [that they can] shut down these events. And it just builds and builds and builds. And I think there's too much confidence in this far-right activity at the moment.' Ball was part of a forum recently held at The Laird alongside Victoria Police to talk to members of the community about how to stay safe on the back of more than 35 arrests since October for assault, robbery, false imprisonment and even extortion in a new form of homophobic violence in which perpetrators use apps such as TikTok to post and boast about their crimes. Loading Last month three 20-year-old men pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the County Court of Victoria, claiming their actions were a case of 'mistaken vigilantism' against men they suspected to be sex offenders. The court heard disturbing details of the trio's crimes including how they lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff, using fake profiles, before brutally assaulting and robbing them. In one incident, a victim aged in his 50s was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy after first matching with one of the men who used a fake profile of a 22-year-old man. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, showed the victim being set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was 'absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society' and urged any victims to come forward – even for historic incidents – when ready. 'It's crucial that the community understands that dating apps are not investigators – police are the only ones able to conduct a criminal investigation and hold perpetrators to account.' While police hunt for the Laird vandals, community leaders are demanding wider government action. Greens state member for Richmond, Gabrielle De Vietri, said the attack was part of a 'co-ordinated pattern of far-right, homophobic violence that's becoming increasingly emboldened'. She has requested the premier and minister for equality 'urgently meet with our community who deserve to be heard and to feel safe'. Commissioner Ball says the rise in hateful conduct requires a multipronged government response. He welcomed that Premier Jacinta Allan had discussed expanding the new anti-hate taskforce beyond its initial focus on antisemitism to include attacks on the queer community. He is also calling for a new, independent reporting tool to track incidents for data purposes, separate from the criminal justice system. 'We know already there are far more instances where gay men have been bashed than have been reported, and that's because people are quite afraid [to go to police],' he says. Loading Responding to The Age, Minister for Equality Vicki Ward said in a statement that, 'Any violence targeting LGBTIQA+ communities is abhorrent and unacceptable. These are not isolated incidents, and we take them very seriously.' The minister pointed to recently passed legislation. 'We've passed stronger anti-vilification laws, including specifically protecting the LGBTIQA+ community. We've banned the public display of the Nazi symbol and introduced new 'post and boast' laws to criminalise violent, hate-driven crimes being glorified online.' Back at The Laird, business continues as usual and management aren't taking a backwards step. Owner Brett Lasham's staff had the rainbow flags up over the graffiti as soon as it was spotted, and it was scrubbed off by the time patrons rocked up for their first beer as 3pm. Lasham says as a 53-year-old bloke he isn't intimidated – he even plans to print T-shirts using the vandals 'FAG' tag to wear at the bar– but he is fiercely protective of his patrons and their sense of feeling safe. 'I'd love to sit at a table with one of these people [and ask] what is it that made you want to do that?' Arcuri, who first found the vandalism, has also built up a thick skin after years of being targeted as drag performer. 'It didn't hurt me. It was just like, 'God, this is an annoying way to spend my Sunday morning' … I don't have a key to get the paint,' he said. He's learned every instance of hate is an opportunity to reframe the narrative for the gay community on their terms.
The Age
18-07-2025
- The Age
‘People walk out tall': Melbourne's gay scene defies hate
'These things were almost in our past,' he said. '[But] I think over time we've seen this escalate, where people start to feel a confidence [that they can] shut down these events. And it just builds and builds and builds. And I think there's too much confidence in this far-right activity at the moment.' Ball was part of a forum recently held at The Laird alongside Victoria Police to talk to members of the community about how to stay safe on the back of more than 35 arrests since October for assault, robbery, false imprisonment and even extortion in a new form of homophobic violence in which perpetrators use apps such as TikTok to post and boast about their crimes. Loading Last month three 20-year-old men pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the County Court of Victoria, claiming their actions were a case of 'mistaken vigilantism' against men they suspected to be sex offenders. The court heard disturbing details of the trio's crimes including how they lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff, using fake profiles, before brutally assaulting and robbing them. In one incident, a victim aged in his 50s was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy after first matching with one of the men who used a fake profile of a 22-year-old man. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, showed the victim being set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was 'absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society' and urged any victims to come forward – even for historic incidents – when ready. 'It's crucial that the community understands that dating apps are not investigators – police are the only ones able to conduct a criminal investigation and hold perpetrators to account.' While police hunt for the Laird vandals, community leaders are demanding wider government action. Greens state member for Richmond, Gabrielle De Vietri, said the attack was part of a 'co-ordinated pattern of far-right, homophobic violence that's becoming increasingly emboldened'. She has requested the premier and minister for equality 'urgently meet with our community who deserve to be heard and to feel safe'. Commissioner Ball says the rise in hateful conduct requires a multipronged government response. He welcomed that Premier Jacinta Allan had discussed expanding the new anti-hate taskforce beyond its initial focus on antisemitism to include attacks on the queer community. He is also calling for a new, independent reporting tool to track incidents for data purposes, separate from the criminal justice system. 'We know already there are far more instances where gay men have been bashed than have been reported, and that's because people are quite afraid [to go to police],' he says. Loading Responding to The Age, Minister for Equality Vicki Ward said in a statement that, 'Any violence targeting LGBTIQA+ communities is abhorrent and unacceptable. These are not isolated incidents, and we take them very seriously.' The minister pointed to recently passed legislation. 'We've passed stronger anti-vilification laws, including specifically protecting the LGBTIQA+ community. We've banned the public display of the Nazi symbol and introduced new 'post and boast' laws to criminalise violent, hate-driven crimes being glorified online.' Back at The Laird, business continues as usual and management aren't taking a backwards step. Owner Brett Lasham's staff had the rainbow flags up over the graffiti as soon as it was spotted, and it was scrubbed off by the time patrons rocked up for their first beer as 3pm. Lasham says as a 53-year-old bloke he isn't intimidated – he even plans to print T-shirts using the vandals 'FAG' tag to wear at the bar– but he is fiercely protective of his patrons and their sense of feeling safe. 'I'd love to sit at a table with one of these people [and ask] what is it that made you want to do that?' Arcuri, who first found the vandalism, has also built up a thick skin after years of being targeted as drag performer. 'It didn't hurt me. It was just like, 'God, this is an annoying way to spend my Sunday morning' … I don't have a key to get the paint,' he said. He's learned every instance of hate is an opportunity to reframe the narrative for the gay community on their terms.
