MURIEL THOMSON WINS SUNDERLAND
AWARD FOR INDIA ORPHANS WORK

Portlethen Golf Club professional Muriel Thomson, one of Scotland’s golfing pioneers, has been awarded the Toby Sunderland Award for her volunteer charitable work in orphans in India.
Muriel, who became the first female head golf club professional in Scotland in early 1990 when she retired from a successful career as a tour pro, was presented with the prestigious award at the BMW PGA championship at Wentworth.
The award recognised her efforts in raising thousands of £s to send orphans to school in the Indian city of Chennai.
The award, presented annually by the famous Scottish golf rainwear manufacturer, recognises outstanding charity work by PGA pros.
Moved by her experiences as a volunteer at the St Joseph’s Social Service Centre 15 months ago, the 52-year-old Portlethen professional has found the time and funds to provide 11 of the children with a full-time education at a nearby English speaking school, an after-school teacher to assist with their studies as well as providing 100 children at the centre with regular health checks.
Thomson returned home determined her association didn’t come to an abrupt end and has raised the cash through a series of talks at golf clubs in the North-east and farther afield about the orphanage and her time there – she made a return visit earlier this year after the initial trip early in 2006.
Muriel has also introduced golf to the children at the school with the assistance of the Golf Foundation and the R&A.
“I had an amazing time and at the end of the month I felt I couldn’t just turn my back on these people,” said Muriel
LIFELINE OUT OF POVERTY
“I agreed to go back and to put one child, a little girl, through the English speaking school and to give her a lifeline out of the poverty level but that has increased to11 already.
“I’ve been a PGA tour and club professional and had a good life but this makes you look at your whole life. It was a life-changing experience and makes you realise how lucky you are.
“A lot of things give you a jolt and make you take stock of life. For me, I lived with them for a month and it gave me a right good shake-up. I feel like I’ve only just started. There’s so much more that can be done.”
Aberdeen-born Muriel Thomson – she is a triplet – was a Murcar Golf Club member during a successful amateur career when she gained Curtis Cup honours. She gave up a possible career in banking to become a professional golfer in 1979 and won nine tournaments on the WPGA Tour as well as heading its Order of Merit in 1981 and 1983.
In early 1990, she decided she had had enough of playing golf out of a suitcase and was appointed its first professional by the fledgling Portlethen Golf Club, near Aberdeen.
“Winning this award is a great honour but, more important to me, it means I will be able to add another £1,000 to the fund for helping the kids in India.”