News The Scottish Open – Can You Afford Not To?09/08/17They say prior preparation prevents poor performance and never has that been more apparent than at this year’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns. Seven of the top ten finishers at Royal Birkdale played in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Dundonald Links the week before. Eight of the top ten finishers at Kingsbarns played in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links the week before including all of the top five. For many of the top ten finishers at both events, one of the biggest takeaways has to be that preparation at the Scottish Open – on a links course in links weather – gave them a significant advantage when it came to competing at the Major the following week. Six of the last eight Claret Jug winners have warmed-up in the home of golf at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, with American Matt Kuchar very nearly adding his name to that list – only for Jordan Spieth to claim an astonishing victory at Royal Birkdale last month. “The Scottish Open was a perfect tune-up for Birkdale,” said Kuchar. “We had a couple of awfully challenging days at the Scottish Open. I remember being on the course at one point on the Saturday having 129 yards to the pin at the 12th and hitting a 6-iron. I thought to myself, ‘I am glad I’m over here doing this’” Those that also seemed to benefit from teeing it up at this year’s Scottish Open were third-placed Haotong Li from China as well as the two players in joint-fourth – Rory McIlroy and Scottish Open Champion, Rafael Cabrera-Bello. Throw in Alex Noren, Matthew Southgate and Branden Grace who all finished tied sixth at The Open, and the value in preparing on a links course and the Scottish Open is obvious. On the other hand, those that didn’t prepare at the Scottish Open did seem to regret their decision. Phil Mickelson, who completed back to back victories at the 2013 Scottish Open and Open Championship at Muirfield, failed to make it to the weekend at Royal Birkdale and put some of that down to skipping the opportunity to play at Dundonald. “I think playing a week before at the Scottish is very helpful and it may have made a difference,” said Mickelson. “It’s hard to say, but this further proves that when I don’t play the week before a major, I am often not as sharp and ready to play as I need to be.” Not only did those players that took a week off the week before The Open fair worse with their results, but those that played in the opposite PGA Tour event to the Scottish Open (John Deere Classic) also failed to reach the dizzy heights of the leaderboard. Not one of the John Deere field finished in the top 10 at The Open and the average score of those that made the cut was +1.4 shots more than those that played the Scottish Open. In the women’s game, all of the top five finishers at last week’s Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns (In-Kyung Kim, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Michelle Wie, Caroline Masson, Georgia Hall), prepared by playing links golf in unfavourable weather conditions at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open the week before. South Korea’s In-Kyung Kim, who finished tied ninth at the Ladies Scottish Open, held off a brilliant challenge from England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff to claim her first major title at Kingsbarns and both Kim and Shadoff acknowledged how valuable a two week stretch of links golf really was. “I think playing last week in the Scottish Open really helped me with the weather and the wind and everything,” said Shadoff. “I’ve typically never played well in links golf but this year I’ve been working with my coach a lot and he’s helped me control my ball flight.” Thoughts also echoed by tied third place finisher, Michelle Wie. “I felt like I struggled a little bit in the past at British Opens, so I made it a point to come to the Scottish Open last week and get some good practice in,” said Wie, whose previous best finish at the Women’s British Open was also tied third 12 years ago. “I felt like that really helped me a lot, just getting used to playing links golf as it is so different.” World no.2, Lexi Thompson, was one of the bigger named players to skip the newly co-sanctioned LET/LPGA Ladies Scottish Open this year and despite finishing tied 11th it may not be that long before Scottish golf fans get to see her preparing differently. On whether she would consider playing Gullane next year, Thompson said “Yeah, definitely. It is a good warmup to get used to the weather conditions coming over. And then before a major, it’s important.” For title sponsors of both events Aberdeen Asset Management, it is clear that if a player wants to do well in The Open or Women’s British Open they know where to come. Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management said, “The Scottish Opens have proven to be ideal preparation for The Open or Women’s British Open. Playing links tournament golf the week before these two majors has been the secret weapon for golfers in recent seasons. “After the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale and Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns the value is even more obvious. To have so many of the top ten finishers at both events play in the Scottish Open the week before is testament to the strength of both tournaments. “I would say it’s a no-brainer to play at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open or Ladies Scottish Open at Gullane next year.” The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will return to East Lothian next year when Gullane Golf Club hosts Scotland’s National Open for the second time from July 12-15, 2018. This will be followed two weeks later by the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open played over the same course from July 26-29, 2018. ... Read more...Mi Hyang Lee wins Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open30/07/17Mi Hyang Lee of South Korea shot a six-under-par 66 in fine and breezy conditions to win the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open by a stroke from Australian Karrie Webb and compatriot Mi Jung Hur on a dramatic final day at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire. The 24-year-old world number 49, from Incheon, wasted little time as she made six birdies against a bogey in her first nine holes to catch the experienced overnight co-leader Webb, before closing with a birdie on 18 for a 72-hole total of 282, six-under-par. While Hur set the clubhouse target with her own 66, Webb was two strokes ahead of the chasing pack after chipping in for eagle on the long 14th, but then sensationally dropped three strokes in two holes. The Hall of Famer uncharacteristically three-putted 16 and then hit her tee shot into a deep pot bunker on the 17th fairway, from where she had to play out backwards, only to find another bunker with her third shot, running up a costly double bogey. Webb needed to hole a greenside bunker shot for eagle on the final hole to force a play-off, but made an up and down for birdie and a final round of 73. Lee looked totally shocked as she was told that she had won her third professional title, following the LET’s New Zealand Women’s Open and the LPGA’s Mizuno Classic in 2014. She said afterwards: “It was really a surprise for me. My front nine was amazing, and then I think I got a good start from my first hole. “The first and second round, I hit it really good, but just I missed a lot of putts, so I tried to practice my putting with the wind.” Webb was extremely disappointed as she thought she had hit the perfect tee shot on 17, but it had kicked into the fairway bunker. “I absolutely knotted my 3-wood exactly how I wanted and my caddie said it kicked into the bunker. I have no idea how it did that,” she said afterwards. Carlota Ciganda and Cristie Kerr were also in contention up until the final hole, but ended in a tie for fourth place after final rounds of 70 and 72 respectively. “I played enough birdies to be up there. I made a few bogeys, a bogey on 10 and 11. Those two were tough, the same as yesterday. Overall, I’m happy. I played solid this week and I think I’m ready for next week,” said Ciganda, ahead of the Ricoh Women’s British Open. South Korean pair Sun Young Yoo and Sei Young Kim tied for sixth place, with Minjee Lee a stroke further back in eighth place. European Solheim Cup rankings leader Georgia Hall came home in 31 to tie for ninth place with Caroline Masson and In-Kyung Kim. The three Ladies European Tour Members who qualified for the season’s fourth women’s Major championship at Kingsbarns were Lina Boqvist, Olafia Kristinsdottir and Becky Morgan, who edged Katie Burnett with a better back nine score, both players having shot a final round of 69 to tie for 33rd position. Jessica Karlsson dropped three shots in her last two holes to miss her spot in the season’s fourth Major and will now head to Final Qualifying looking to seal one of the 22 spots available at The Castle Course, St Andrews, tomorrow.... Read more...Kim and Webb defy wild weather to share lead at Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open29/07/17Sei Young Kim and Karrie Webb played through sideways rain and 30mph winds to share the lead at six-under-par heading into the final round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. Kim and Webb shot rounds of 69 and 70 at Dundonald Links on Saturday to hold a two-stroke lead over the halfway leader Cristie Kerr. Carlota Ciganda and Sun Young Yoo are two strokes further back. Webb made back to back birdies on the second and third holes to regain the lead she had held after her opening round, of 65. The 42-year-old Australian then extended her advantage with a birdie at the seventh and held a one stroke lead after an outward total of 33, three-under-par. The Hall of Famer, who is now in her 23rd season as a professional, made two bogeys and some sensational saves on the back nine, before she and Kim showed their mettle as they birdied the 17th in a torrential rainstorm. Coming down the par-5 18th, Kim hit a beautiful second shot up to 10 feet from the hole and faced an eagle putt to move one-stroke ahead, but the wind buffeted her ball and it ended just left of the hole. Speaking after her round, the 24-year-old world number 11 from Seoul seemed thrilled. Kim said: “I’ve never played before in this weather. It was a really great experience. It’s rare to play with veteran players, like Cristie Kerr and Karrie Webb: they are really great players. It was really tough to focus on each shot, but I kept focused for a few seconds.” Webb was pleased with the way she battled in the conditions. “I felt very comfortable out there early on and got off to a good start, so that settled any nerves. I really just hung in there on the back nine. I actually got a couple of good breaks when it was raining. I made some good up and downs as well.” Kerr, who signed for a 73, gave up on using an umbrella in the end, as she was completely soaked. She said after her round: “I played a lot better than the score. I had two three-putts on the back nine, which were kind of uncharacteristic. I’ve just got to do better.” With Ciganda only four shots from the lead, there is now the scintillating possibility of a Spanish double, following Rafa Cabrera Bello’s win in the men’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open a fortnight ago. Ciganda said: “I’ve been playing good the last week, so I’m trying to stay patient and stick to my plan. I’m having a good time out there with my caddie, Terry (MacNamara). I’m learning a lot and he’s teaching me so many things. I still have lots to learn, but I’m having fun and I’ll try my best tomorrow.” Another potential Solheim Cup player in the hunt is Georgia Hall, who shares sixth place with Olafia Kristinsdottir and Mi Hyang Lee on level par. Hall, who carded a 72, said: “It was windier than the first two days, and I didn’t think it could get any windier. It was probably a four-club wind and then the back nine, it was less windy but then the rain started. “I think I may need a couple under, a few under, to be in with a chance tomorrow, which if you hole the putts, is definitely possible. I think the key is hitting fairways and being on the greens in regulation. Birdie is really rare to get, especially out here, a birdie feels like an eagle.” The final round is set to be another classic test of links golf, with sunny skies expected in the morning, followed by cloudier skies and slightly less wind than Saturday. Of the leading players, all have extremely impressive records. Karrie Webb has held at least a share of the 54-hole lead 37 times in her career, converting 26 into victories for a 70.3% record. The last time Webb held a lead after 54-holes was the 2014 HSBC Women’s Champions where she finished third. Sei Young Kim has held the 54-lead three times winning the last two, at the 2015 LOTTE Championship and the 2015 Blue Bay LPGA. Webb has gone 71 events since her last win on the LPGA Tour at the 2014 Founders Cup while Kim won earlier this year at the Lorena Ochoa Matchplay. The final group of Webb (41), Kim (6) and Cristie Kerr (19) have combined for 66 LPGA career wins in total.... Read more...Aberdeen Asset Management Leadership Forum29/07/17Putting gender on the agenda: insights from the top Ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open teeing off at Dundonald Links, a number of high profile speakers including Ruth Davidson, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives and Unionist Party, Elaine C Smith, actress and comedian and Sir Clive Woodward, English former Rugby Union player and coach assembled at the North Ayrshire venue for the Aberdeen Asset Management Leadership Forum: Putting gender on the agenda: insights from the top. The event, which took place in the tournament pavilion, explored the opportunities and challenges for women in business, politics, entertainment and sport. Speakers drew upon personal experiences and explored how to drive change. Ms. Davidson spoke about the criticism female politicians face on social media: “Yes we get criticised a lot, and I think part of the rise of our individual and collective, sort of rise within Scottish politics has come along at the same time as the rise of social media and therefore there is more abuse that is publically available to see” She also discussed the need to get more women into politics, by properly getting across what politics is all about: “There are people who think that politics is all that you see on the television, so they think that the only part to politics is me shouting at Nicola, Nicola shouting back at me, me shouting back at Nicola and we all go home having had a good shout. And they don’t see the work that happens collaboratively. They see it as a confrontational existence rather than a collaborative existence. They don’t see the work that goes on in committees, the work that happens cross-party to bring an issue to the fore.” Other speakers on Ruth’s panel, ‘empowering women in business and politics’, included Petra Wetzel, entrepreneur and founder of WEST Brewery, Rachel Short, Director at Why Women Work, and Lucy O’Carroll, Chief Economist, Aberdeen Asset Management. The panel was moderated by Sarah Smith. Actress and comedian, Elaine C Smith then spoke to Sarah Smith about progressing in the entertainment industry as a woman: “All the people ahead of me were men. So comedy is a male domain. I was always the one woman with the four guys. I generally felt very alone, wanted to be liked, wanted to be nice, didn’t want to rock the boat too much. I’ve learned different now. But then there was that desire in young woman to be liked, to be popular, to not say anything with all these talented men around about you as well. Now when I look back, I don’t really understand where I got the confidence.” She also discussed the huge emphasis on women’s looks in the industry: “Too many of my female counterparts, who are very talented, worry too much about whether they’ll be attractive.” Former England rugby coach, Sir Clive Woodward spoke about the need to get more women into coaching positions: “From a coaching point of view, one of the biggest opportunities in sports or leadership is to get more women involved in coaching of the actual sports themselves. I would encourage any sport, if you’re on the governing body of a sport, to really put a huge amount of emphasis on how we can more females coaching.” He also discussed women’s rugby: “In 2003 when we won the World Cup the women’s game was definitely there. But they were totally amateur. There was no money in the game. The whole world of rugby has done really well in terms of warming women’s rugby and the last World Cup was a phenomenon success. The biggest step forward has been the sevens and the Olympics.” Other speakers on Sir Clive’s panel ‘Leveling the playing field: how we can promote female leadership in sport’ included Sheila Begbie, Head of women’s and girls’ rugby at Scottish Rugby, Hala Ousta, Head of Diversity at the SFA, and Beth Allen, professional golfer. Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management closed proceedings at the event, that was attended by over 120 people to reiterate Aberdeen Asset Management’s commitment to get more women into leadership positions, as signatories of the Women in Finance Charter. ... Read more...KERR TAKES HALFWAY LEAD AT ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT LADIES SCOTTISH OPEN28/07/17United States veteran Cristie Kerr produced three birdies in her last six holes for a second round of 73 to hold a slender one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. The 39-year-old from Florida carded a double bogey at the long fifth and dropped shots at the short sixth and 11th in a near gale at Dundonald Links on Friday, but then fought back with birdies on the 13th, 14th and 17th to move ahead at five-under-par. Australian Karrie Webb lies in second after a 75, while South Korean pair Sei Young Kim and Sun Young Yoo fired rounds of 72 and 69 respectively to sit a shot further back at three-under-par. Kerr, who claimed her 19th LPGA title at the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii in April, said: “It was tough. I hit it so well yesterday, and I mean, that shows you the difference. I didn’t hit it that great today but I still managed. My caddie and I managed the golf course well, and we made the recovery shots when we needed to. I’m trying not to get ahead of myself in this weather.” Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum carded a 73 to lie in fifth position on two-under, while Iceland’s Olafia Kristinsdottir recorded a 70 to sit in sixth place in the co-sanctioned LET and LPGA event, which is being played at the same venue as the men’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open a fortnight ago. Kristinsdottir, who held the lead at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open as an LET rookie in 2016, said that she was motivated by the prospect of gaining an exemption into next week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns, either as the winner, or as one of the top three Ladies European Tour Members not otherwise exempt. “I unfortunately didn’t fulfil the criteria to do the Monday qualifier, so this is my only shot,” said Kristinsdottir, whose Scottish coach, Derrick Moore, gave her some tips for playing links golf. “You’ve just got to accept what you get, and I’ve had a lot of experience in bad weather in Iceland, so it’s definitely helpful,” she added. Long-hitting Frenchwoman Joanna Klatten shot the round of the day – a four-under-par 68 – which included an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys – to climb 78 places into a tie for seventh alongside Georgia Hall, Minjee Lee and Carlota Ciganda. The 2012 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open champion Carly Booth, who is already exempt into next week’s Major, delighted her home fans with a two-under-par 70 on Friday to share 11th spot with 12 other players. The world number one, So Yeon Ryu, shot a second-round of 77 to make the cut, but Isabelle Boineau’s tenure as champion ended with a 75, for a 36-hole total of seven-over, which was two strokes too many to play at the weekend. ... Read more...WEBB MAKES HERSELF AT HOME AT DUNDONALD LINKS27/07/17Australian Karrie Webb defied blustery conditions to conjure a stunning 65 for a one stroke lead on the opening day of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. The 42-year-old from Ayr in Queensland sprinted in with six birdies – including five in a row from the 11th – for a back-nine total of 30 at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire. Webb is a stroke ahead of fellow former world number one Cristie Kerr from the United States, who shot a 66 in winds gusting up to 25mph in the morning. The veteran pair have 60 LPGA wins and two Major championship titles between them, while four more experienced competitors are lined up behind them on three-under-par. Olympic gold medallist Inbee Park, Stacy Lewis, Sei Young Kim and Pornanong Phatlum all made light of the tough conditions, while Ladies European Tour players Kylie Henry and Michele Thomson lead the field’s nine Scottish players, with one-over 73s. Most were left astonished by Webb’s magnificent performance, after the Hall of Famer produced some precision iron-play to set up eight birdies in total. She birdied the second and then made a solitary bogey on the third, before picking up a shot at the ninth hole. After a run of five birdies on the back nine, she made another at the last hole to move one ahead of the field. “I sort of really hung in there through the front nine and made a nice birdie on nine to turn at one-under, and then just really started swinging at it well and hitting it quite close and had some good birdie chances and made the most of them,” she said afterwards. “I did start to hit some good shots, and I just kept telling myself to just keep going. When you make a few birdies, not to just go into the mode of holding on. I felt like I was swinging it pretty well and seeing the reads well and hitting solid putts. I was just tell myself just to keep going and make as many birdies as I could.” Webb’s last victories came in 2014, when she won both the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and JTBC Founders Cup and she had been struggling this season until recently, with her best finish being a tie for 17th at the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer in February. “You know, my iron game, really for most of this year, but a little bit of last year, hasn’t been great. I pride myself on being a good iron player. I think that really took a toll on me mentally because that was always something I could trust. I didn’t really have to worry about that. “I really hit my irons probably the best I had for four rounds at the U.S. Open, so I think mentally, I got over that hump,” she added. For more than half the day, it looked as though Kerr had an unassailable lead, having shot a bogey-free 66 in the worst of the weather in the morning. The 39-year-old from Miami said after her round: “I just controlled my ball really well out there, with the crosswinds and trajectory and I had a great day. I just kind of hit the ball where I was trying to hit it in the areas I was trying to hit it in, and made some putts. “The score added up really well, but it was tough to stand over the shots and be able to execute. It’s never easy here, so I’m very pleased with the score. I hit the ball in the areas I was trying to hit it in and made some putts as well. It was a great day. It’s never easy here and you can never take anything for granted.” Of the large group of players on two-under-par, England’s Annabel Dimmock is the leading British player, with Georgia Hall and Inci Mehmet a stroke further back. Conditions are expected to be similar on Friday, but with winds a notch higher. The second round gets under way at 6.45am and Webb will tee off early at 7.15am, in a marquee group with Inbee Park and Michelle Wie. ... Read more...GOLFING STARS TEED UP TO MAKE MATHS COUNT27/07/17(From left to right): Elma Murray, Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council, Scottish Government Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell, Freya Barclay, pupil from Ardrossan Academy and Maureen McKenna, Chair of the Making Maths Count Group at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, Dundonald Links. Strongest ever field faced with an extra challenge on the first day’s play of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. Aberdeen Asset Management together with the Scottish Government and North Ayrshire Council has come up with a novel idea to encourage greater enthusiasm for maths. Competitors at this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open have had to use their arithmetic skills to navigate the course on the first day of play, as the 18 pin flags all have mathematic calculations depicting their number. The Scottish Government’s ‘Making Maths Count’ initiative ran a competition for primary and secondary schools across North Ayrshire to come up with the calculations to be printed on the flags. A panel of four judges from the competition organisers selected their favourite calculations to be used at the Championships. Scottish Government Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell was joined by Maureen McKenna, Chair of the Making Maths Count Group, Elma Murray the Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council as well as Freya Barclay, a pupil from Ardrossan Academy who provided the calculation for the 16th pin flag to discuss the competition and see the calculations on display at Dundonald Links. World no.1 So Yeon Ryu headlines the strongest ever Ladies Scottish Open field that includes five of the worlds top ten as well as major Champions, Suzann Pettersen, Michelle Wie and early leader, Karrie Webb who set this pace with a 7-under 65. Aileen Campbell, Minister for Sport said: “Involving young people in an event like the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is an exciting and creative way to showcase how valuable maths skills are to us all and how young people themselves are encouraging others to engage with our Making Maths Count campaign. “To see the work of these Ayrshire pupils on display for a worldwide sporting audience is wonderful and it has been great to join Freya and other young people to see their work on the Making Maths Count campaign on display across the championship. “Linking up with such a prestigious event helps us encourage young people to take an interest and really demonstrates that maths skills are a vital part of everyday life.” The competition was a great way for the young people to apply their maths skills in the context of sport and the removal of the regular 1-18 pin flags certainly made the full 156 player field, that includes nine Scots pay extra attention during their rounds. Scotland’s two-time Ladies Scottish Open winner Catriona Matthew said: “It was interesting to see such creative calculations used on the pin flags at Dundonald today and I’m sure quite a few of them probably caught a few of the players by surprise! Any initiative that can link schooling with sport is great and hats off to the organisers for thinking of something different here at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open.” Aberdeen Asset Management Chief Executive, Martin Gilbert, is represented on the Scottish Government’s Making Maths Count expert group. He said: “I am delighted that through our sponsorships of both the men’s and ladies’ Scottish Opens we could do our bit to make maths more engaging for pupils which is absolutely crucial. I was lucky enough to have an inspirational maths teacher at school and that has certainly been of huge benefit to me throughout my career. Initiatives of this kind raise awareness of the importance of these essential skills and I’m delighted Aberdeen Asset Management is contributing to the Making Maths Count initiative.” Making Maths Count is a Scottish Government initiative to encourage greater enthusiasm for maths amongst children and young people, their parents and carers and the wider public. North Ayrshire Council, Chief Executive, Elma Murray said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this fantastic initiative which has really helped engage our young people with maths in a local and fun way. All our winners will be thrilled to see their flags on display during the event.” Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns in 2017, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, from 27-30 July, kicks off a superb two weeks of links golf in Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the Men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both Championships. The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is also a key element of Scotland’s commitments to the staging of The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Watch the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open LIVE on Sky Sports on Thursday/Friday from 14:00-17:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 15:00-18:00. For further information, please visit: https://ladiesscottishopen.com/ or follow the event at @AberdeenLSO ... Read more...#GiveGolfAGo Provides Boost For Scottish Girls’ Golf27/07/17The Ladies European Tour presented Scottish Golf with a cheque for US$5000, to be used towards girls’ golf development, ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. More than 130 juniors have already experienced golf at this year’s tournament, through a Kid’s Activation Clinic sponsored by Bank of Scotland, which took place on Wednesday morning in the Golf Zone of the tented village. LET Player President Helen Alfredsson and fellow Tour members Hannah Burke, Gemma Dryburgh, Lydia Hall, Vikki Laing, Ann-Kathrin Lindner, Catriona Matthew, Michele Thomson and Sally Watson were on hand to motivate the juniors and to share their skills and knowledge. The Scottish Golf National Team Group enjoyed a special behind-the-scenes tour and met LET professional Nicole Garcia, who gave them valuable advice on preparation and routines during and before tournaments. They also met the defending champion Isabelle Boineau and joined a press conference with the two-time tournament winner Catriona Matthew. In a further thrill, six girls were part of two Pro-Am teams competing in the star-studded event, offering them a superb opportunity to gain valuable experience and learn from the world’s best players in a professional environment. LET Player President Helen Alfredsson commented: “It’s really important to us to support the junior game and girls’ golf development in Scotland, especially over the next two years as we head towards The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. The juniors attending the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will have an incredible experience, which will no doubt inspire them to take their golf further.” The Scottish Government’s stated ambition is to use The 2019 Solheim Cup to help grow golf among younger age groups and increase participation. Scottish Golf is also working hard to grow female participation at all ages in Scotland, notably through the successful ClubGolf and Get into Golf programmes. Blane Dodds, CEO at Scottish Golf, said: “We are grateful for the support from the Ladies European Tour, ahead of an exciting week at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. The support will help boost the development of our #ThisGirlGolfs and Get into Golf programmes, as we seek to encourage females of all ages into the sport. We will be having a focus on this area of the game in our forthcoming new strategy for Scottish Golf.” The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is being played at Dundonald Links from 27-30 July, a fortnight after the men’s Scottish Open at the same venue. For the first time, in 2017, the event is co-sanctioned by the LET and LPGA, showcasing the best of women’s world golf both locally and to a global audience.... Read more...BOINEAU LOOKING TO DEFEND HER CROWN26/07/17Five of the world’s top ten headline strongest-ever Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open Dundonald, 25 July, 2017 – The stage is set to make Ladies Scottish Open history with the strongest-ever field assembled for the 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open from 27th – 30th July at Dundonald Links. Defending champion, Isabelle Boineau, who won her maiden Ladies European Tour title in spectacular fashion last year with a final round of 68, faces stiff competition to defend her crown with this year’s tournament featuring 156 of the world’s best players from both the LET and the LPGA, in the newly co-sanctioned $1.5m event. Headed by world no. 1, So Yeon Ryu, who is making her debut at the North Ayrshire links venue alongside 2016 LET No. 1, Beth Allen, and the world’s youngest no. 1, Lydia Ko, the 2017 field comprises of 5 of the world’s top 10 and 15 of the top 30. Compared with last year’s championship, which featured just 2 of the world’s top 100. Joining them as part of the elite field, comprising of 19 Major Champions and 18 former Solheim Cup players, is Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, World no.2 Ariya Jutanugarn, Grand Slam Major Champion Inbee Park, Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and popular American Michelle Wie. Looking to ‘Rule the Links’ for a second year, Boineau will begin her title defence alongside Japanese sensation, Ai Miyazato and Korean six-time LPGA winner Sei Young Kim; whilst Scottish star and two-time winner, Matthew, tees off with Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and Germany’s Caroline Masson. Commenting on defending her title, Boineau, said, “I’m really happy and proud to have won last year in Scotland, The Home of Golf and I’m pleased to be here at a course I really enjoy. Last year’s win feels like it was ten years ago but the feeling I got when I won was just like a drug, I feel like I need it again because if not, I won’t be satisfied.” Catriona Matthew, who will be joined by eight other Scots in the field, said, “I’m pleased to return to Scotland and with the event co-sanctioned for the first year, it’s a much bigger event with more buzz about it. The conditions will play a huge part in who will be crowned champion on Sunday but I’ll do everything I can to put in a good performance.” World no. 1, So Yeon Ryu, said, “Links golf is very different to the courses I usually play and I’m very excited about the challenge ahead this week. Just playing for one week is not enough time to get used to this style of course and so this is the perfect preparation ahead of next week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open. From what I have seen so far the course here at Dundonald is fantastic and I love being in Scotland – the Home of Golf where it all started.” Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns in 2017, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open kicks off a superb two weeks of links golf in Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the Men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both Championships. The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is also a key element of Scotland’s commitments to the staging of The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Watch the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open LIVE on Sky Sports on Thursday/Friday from 14:00-17:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 15:00-18:00. For further information, please visit: https://ladiesscottishopen.com/ or follow us at @AberdeenLSO ... Read more...Field Set for Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open23/07/17Scottish duo complete strongest-ever Ladies Scottish Open field Dundonald, 21 July, 2017 – The strongest Ladies Scottish Open field in history is set, with four official tournament invites awarded today to Scottish duo Sally Watson and Michele Thomson, England’s Inci Mehmet and Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow ahead of this year’s Championship at Dundonald Links from 27th – 30th July. Sally Watson, who makes her fourth appearance in the Championship, is one of nine Scots confirmed to tee it up at Dundonald Golf Links and the most experienced of the four invites, having finished no worse than19th as she looks to better her previous best finish of solo third in 2014. Joining her in the line-up which includes 5 of the world’s top 10 and 15 of the top 30, is Scottish debutant, Michele Thomson, who currently ranks 36th on this year’s LET Order of Merit and LPGA Tour star Stephanie Meadow, who rose to prominence in 2014 with a 3rd place finish at the U.S Women’s Open. Ladies European Tour rookie, Inci Mehmet, completes the list of invites and joins Thomson and Meadow in making her tournament debut. Mehmet is looking to capitalise on her early season form that saw her finish T14th in her first ever Ladies European Tour appearance at the Lalla Meryem Cup. The four hopefuls are part of an elite list of 20 Major champions already confirmed in the 156-strong player field including Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, Ariya Jutanugarn, Inbee Park, Lydia Ko, Suzann Pettersen, Michelle Wie and current world no. 1, So Yeon Ryu. For the first time in Ladies Scottish Open history, the tournament is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA with an illustrious list of over 72 champions with 467 titles set to compete at Dundonald Links, which played host to the Aberdeen Asset Management Men’s Scottish Open last week. Scottish players qualified: – Carly Booth – Gemma Dryburgh – Kylie Henry – Vikki Laing – Kelsey MacDonald – Catriona Matthew – Pamela Pretswell – Michele Thomson – Sally Watson Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns in 2017, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will kick off a superb two weeks of links golf in Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the Men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both Championships. The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is also a key element of Scotland’s commitments to the staging of The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Watch the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open LIVE on Sky Sports on Thursday/Friday from 14:00-17:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 15:00-18:00. For further information, please visit: https://ladiesscottishopen.com/ or follow us at @AberdeenLSO ... Read more...Ariya Juanugarn headlines Bank of Scotland ‘Give Golf a Go’ Junior Clinic14/07/17Golf Trick Shot Boys join the fun at Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open Dundonald, 12th July 2017 – World No. 2. Ariya Jutanugarn heads to Dundonald Links for her Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open debut this summer (27-30 July) but before she tees it up against the world’s best players from the LET and LPGA, she’ll be on hand at the free to attend ‘Give Golf a Go’ Junior Clinic. Supported by Bank of Scotland to engage and inspire the next generation of Scottish talent, Jutanugarn is joined by the Golf Trick Shot Boys and a number of Ladies European Tour players to deliver the insightful and informal teaching clinic on Wednesday 26th July, aimed at junior golfers of all abilities from local schools and golf clubs in North Ayrshire. Famous for their unique show involving unicycles, Swiss balls and other golfing gadgets, the Golf Trick Shot boys kick-start the day before the children then take on a number of different challenges with tuition from the Scottish golf coaches and Tour professionals. At the end of the day, attendees will also have the opportunity to watch their favourite players including Lydia Ko and Charlie Hull in the pro am as well as receive two complimentary tickets for the Championship. For more information about the day, including details of how to attend please visit – https://ladiesscottishopen.com/give-golf-a-go/ World no. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn is joined in the field by Major champions Lydia Ko, Michelle Wie, Suzann Pettersen and Catriona Matthew, 2016 Ladies European Tour No. 1, Beth Allen, English sensation, Charley Hull, and of course 2016 champion, Isabelle Boineau, looking to defend her crown. In a ground-breaking co-sanctioned agreement between the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA, the Championship will now have the highest prize fund on the LET outside the Majors with the 156-strong player field contesting for US$1.5m. For the first time in history, the 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open takes place at the same venue as the Men’s Scottish Open with Dundonald Links playing host to both events over a three-week period. Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns in 2017, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will kick off a superb two weeks of links golf in Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the Men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both Championships. The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is also a key element of Scotland’s commitments to the staging of The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. For further information, please visit: https://ladiesscottishopen.com/ or follow us at @AberdeenLSO ... Read more...Beatson Cancer Charity Announced as Official Charity at 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open10/07/17Professional golfer, Kelsey MacDonald, supports ‘birdie pledge’ initiative Dundonald, 9 July, 2017 – The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is proud to announce Beatson Cancer Charity, a Scottish based cancer charity, as the Official Charity of the Championship at Dundonald Links from 27th – 30th July. For the third year in a row, Beatson Cancer Charity has been named the official charity of the Championship with close to £20,000 being raised in the last two tournaments. This year, for the first time in Ladies Scottish Open history, the event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA, giving the ‘birdie pledge’ initiative supported by title sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management extra significance. With an increased 156-strong player field taking to Dundonald Links, the fundraising target looks set to be high with Aberdeen donating £5 for every birdie and £10 for every eagle scored over the course of the Championship. Beatson Cancer Charity is committed to raising significant funds to enhance the experience, treatment, outcomes and wellbeing of current and former cancer patients and their families across Scotland and beyond. The charity has history with the tournament, with former close supporters and friends of the tournament receiving treatment at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre whilst Ladies European Tour player and 2017 competitor, Kelsey MacDonald’s Grandad spent 18 months being cared for by the centre. Talking about the announcement Kelsey MacDonald, said, “It’s fantastic news to hear that the Championship has Beatson as their official charity again and with it being a bigger event, I’m sure the spotlight will be on them a little more and it will provide them with some great publicity. From a personal point of view, my Grandad received care there and my family, especially my Gran, always wants to give Beatson support whenever she can and she is going to come and watch me play during the week to offer more support.” Speaking about the pledge, Kelsey continued, “It’s such an amazing pledge and with the field being bigger and having better players, I’m confident that a decent amount of money will be raised. I’ll be doing everything I can to make as many birdies and I’ll certainly have the pledge in mind on my way around the course.” Joyce Ross Corporate Partnerships Manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said, “We’re very grateful to Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open for their committed and unwavering support. We are delighted to be back with them for the third year. The funds raised by the birdie pledge will be vital in helping us to continue to support patients and families affected by cancer.” Claire Drummond, Head of Charitable Giving at Aberdeen Asset Management, said, “It is with great delight that we’re able to carry on our support of Beatson Cancer Charity for this year’s Ladies’ Scottish Open. “We hope our support of the ‘Birdies Pledge’, as well as other initiatives associated with the event, will have a significant bearing on people who are affected by cancer, and we are very pleased to be able to help in this way.” For more information on Beatson Cancer Charity – http://www.beatsoncancercharity.org/ Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns in 2017, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will kick off a superb two weeks of links golf in Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the Men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both Championships. The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is also a key element of Scotland’s commitments to the staging of The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Watch the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open LIVE on Sky Sports on Thursday/Friday from 14:00-17:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 15:00-18:00. For further information, please visit: https://ladiesscottishopen.com/ or follow us at @AberdeenLSO ... Read more...Major Champion to make Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open Debut06/07/17KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner, Danielle Kang, joins global field Dundonald, 6 July, 2017 – 24 year-old American star, Danielle Kang, is the latest Major Champion to join the star-studded field alongside seven Scottish stars, at this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links from 27th – 30th July. Kang, who heads to Dundonald Links full of confidence following her victory at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, is part of an elite list of Major champions already confirmed in the 156-strong player field including Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, Ariya Jutanugarn, Inbee Park, Lydia Ko, Suzann Pettersen, Michelle Wie and current world no. 1, So Yeon Ryu. For the first time in Ladies Scottish Open history, the tournament is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA with an illustrious list of over 71 champions with 350 titles set to compete at Dundonald Links, which will play host to the Men’s Scottish Open just two weeks before. The stellar field currently comprises of stars from 29 nationalities and boasts six of the world’s top ten on the Official World Rolex Rankings and 27 of the top 50 in what is the strongest Ladies Scottish Open field ever assembled. Talking about the increased field strength, two-time Ladies Scottish Open champion, Catriona Matthew, said, “It’s fantastic to have the world’s best players come and compete in our national open and it’s a great experience for the local players to see how they get on against seasoned champions from around the world. The Championship has evolved so much this year and with new prize fund of US$1.5million it’s a great opportunity for an up and coming Scot to make a name for herself.” Two-time Ladies Scottish Open Champion, Catriona Matthew Commenting on the field, Martin Gilbert, CEO Aberdeen Asset Management, said, “It has always been our vision to grow this event to a point where it becomes a staple on the world’s best players’ calendars such as Danielle Kang’s. To have 27 of the world’s top 50 already confirmed vindicates our decision to elevate the tournament to an event which benefits from the best talent on both the LET and LPGA and to one that will be beamed around the world.” Paul Bush, Director of Events with VisitScotland, said: “In Scotland we are proud to host the world’s biggest golf events and I am delighted that the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is now firmly in that category. This top-class field is the strongest in the event’s history and I am pleased that our partnership with Aberdeen Asset Management, the LET and the LPGA will help showcase the world’s best players on the stunning North Ayrshire coastline at Dundonald Links.” Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “This is going to be a fantastic month for North Ayrshire and we’re delighted that so many of the world’s best have committed to both events. The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open has already proved hugely popular in the last two years and we’re sure, with this fantastic field, this will be the biggest and best yet at Dundonald Links.” Scottish players qualified as of 04.07.17: – Carly Booth – Gemma Dryburgh – Kylie Henry – Vikki Laing – Kelsey MacDonald – Catriona Matthew – Pamela Pretswell Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns in 2017, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will kick off a superb two weeks of links golf in Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the Men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both Championships. The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is also a key element of Scotland’s commitments to the staging of The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. ... Read more...Loch Lomond Whiskies Announced as Official Whisky at 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open05/07/17Premium Whisky brand joins Ladies Scottish Open history Dundonald, 5 July, 2017 – The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is proud to announce Loch Lomond Whiskies, a premium highland scotch whisky crafted in the heart of Scotland, as the official whisky sponsor of the Championship at Dundonald Links from 27th – 30th July. Founded in 1814, Loch Lomond whiskies has a history steeped in tradition with their selection of whiskies distilled and matured in the shadow of Scotland’s majestic Ben Lomond. With a penchant for innovation and quality, Loch Lomond Whiskies is the perfect fit for this year’s Championship with the world’s top female players including Lydia Ko, Ariya Jutanugarn, Charley Hull and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, heading to Dundonald Links to compete in the ground-breaking tournament. For the first time in Scottish Open history, this year’s Championship is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA and will have the highest prize fund on the LET outside the Majors with the 156-strong player field contesting for US$1.5m. Another milestone for the Championship sees the Ladies compete at the same venue as the Men’s Scottish Open with Dundonald Links playing host to both events over a three-week period. Speaking about the announcement, Scott Dickson, Loch Lomond Whiskies, said, “We’re delighted to be part of our third Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open and feature in the events’ history in this ground-breaking year. At Loch Lomond Whiskies we pride ourselves on quality and believe that partnering with a world-class event will be a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our brand to a knowledgeable audience with players and fans coming to watch from around the world.” Loch Lomond Whiskies will be available to sample in the Championship village throughout the tournament days as well as being available to purchase over the weekend. Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns in 2017, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will kick off a superb two weeks of links golf in Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the Men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both Championships. The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is also a key element of Scotland’s commitments to the staging of The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Watch the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open LIVE on Sky Sports on Thursday/Friday from 14:00-17:00 and Saturday/Sunday from 15:00-18:00. For further information, please visit: https://ladiesscottishopen.com/ or follow us at @AberdeenLSO ... Read more...Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open & Scottish Open set for Gullane in 201822/06/17The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will return to East Lothian next year when Gullane Golf Club hosts Scotland’s National Open for the second time from July 12-15, 2018. This will be followed two weeks later by the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open played over the same course from July 26-29, 2018. In 2015 the picturesque links course was the venue for Rickie Fowler’s thrilling win on the European Tour, as the American birdied three of the last four holes to surge past Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Kuchar and Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin and seal his maiden European Tour title. This year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire will be the biggest yet, as it forms part of European Tour’s new Rolex Series, a premium category of tournaments on the Race to Dubai, each with a minimum prize fund of US$7million. Some of the finest courses in Scotland, the Home of Golf, have played host to the tournament over the years, including St Andrews, Gleneagles and Carnoustie. From 1996 to 2010 it was based at Loch Lomond Golf Club, with Castle Stuart Golf Links in Inverness, Royal Aberdeen and Gullane all enjoying hosting duties since then. In addition, golf fans in Ayrshire can now look forward to more memorable moments in the company of many of the world’s best female golfers, with this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links now co-sanctioned by both the LET and LPGA for the first time. Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management said: “We had a great tournament with a great winner in Rickie at Gullane in 2015 and we anticipate equally worthy winners of the men’s and ladies editions this year at Dundonald. “Both events are amongst the most highly regarded on their respective Tours and have become sought after fixtures ahead of both the Men’s and Ladies ‘Open Championships.’ Gullane is a spectacular course and together with our tournament partners we will continue to host our events at the best possible venues which showcase Scotland in all its glory to an ever increasing global TV audience.” Paul Bush, Director of Events with VisitScotland, said: “Gullane Golf Club is home to three of Scotland’s finest links courses and will provide an outstanding venue for both the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and Ladies Scottish Open in 2018. With strong men’s, ladies and junior sections it is the epitome of a traditional Scottish golf club at the heart of the local community and I am delighted it will once again get the opportunity to welcome the world’s best players to East Lothian. We are proud to have so many world-class venues in Scotland, the Home of Golf and I look forward to two more successful events in East Lothian in 2018.” Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Gullane Golf Club next year, at an exciting time in the history of the tournament. “As we return to this wonderful setting we know that we can expect enthusiastic support from Gullane Golf Club, the golf community in East Lothian and our partners and stakeholders, as we plan for another exciting festival of golf.” In a joint statement, LET Chief Executive Ivan Khodabakhsh and LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan commented: “Aberdeen Asset Management and Visit Scotland have done an excellent job of elevating this tournament for both Tours and we are both very proud, together with our Members, to be their partners. Their strategy of playing two weeks after the men’s Scottish Open and providing the best female golfers from both Tours the ability to play in Scotland the week before the RICOH Women’s British Open is extremely positive for our Members.” Willie Biggart, Captain of Gullane Golf Club, said: “It is great news that the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is coming back to Gullane after the success in 2015. We are also delighted to be hosting the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open for the first time. “At Gullane, we are well placed to be able to deliver a top class championship venue which is in touch with all the requirements of the European Tour and the Ladies European Tour in the 21st Century. The course offers classic links golf with perfect seaside lies on our fairways, fast-running greens and challenging bunker positions. The course will once again provide a true links challenge that will be enjoyed by the world’s golfing elite. We look forward to welcoming both events to the Club and wish them both a fantastic week of golf.” Cllr John McMillan, Provost and Spokesperson for Economic Development & Tourism, East Lothian Council, said: “The news that the Scottish Open and the Ladies Scottish Open will be coming to Gullane in 2018 is something that will be welcomed across East Lothian. Gullane Golf Club hosted the Scottish Open for the first time in 2015 when we enjoyed wonderful weather and a spectacular win by Rickie Fowler. It is well known that the Scottish Open takes place immediately before the Open Championship so there will be much anticipation about which stars of the golfing world we will have the honour of welcoming to Scotland’s Golf Coast. Both tournaments will raise the profile of Gullane, and East Lothian as a whole, especially amongst the world’s golfing community. That can only be great news for boosting East Lothian’s economy both in the short and long term.” Golf fans can enjoy two world-class fields for the price of one this July at Dundonald Links when The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open (July 13-16) and the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open (July 27-30) are played over the space of a fortnight on the Ayrshire coast. For every purchased ticket through – www.aamscottishopen.com/tickets – spectators will receive FREE entry to the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. For ticket information, including official hospitality packages, please visit: Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open: www.ladiesscottishopen.com/ ... Read more...Ko Relishes Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Return31/05/17Dundonald, Tuesday 30th May, 2017 – World No. 1, Lydia Ko, looking ahead to ground-breaking Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links from the 27th – 30th July. Speaking ahead of her second appearance at the Championship this summer, which will be played at the same venue as the Men’s Scottish open for the first time for an increased prize fund of US$1.5m Ko, said, ‘I’m really excited to be coming back to the Scotland, ‘The Home of Golf’ to compete against the best players from both the LPGA and LET and play at Dundonald Links. The course is extremely different to what we play week-in-week-out in the US and it’ll be interesting to see how the men play the course a few weeks before us. I’ll be keeping my eye on the coverage to see if I can learn anything from them.’ Looking back to her past links’ experience 20-year-old Ko, said, ‘I love that you have to be creative at a links course and there’s so many factors that can affect your game. The last time that I played this event I went on to record my best finish in the Ricoh Women’s British Open so I’m hoping that it will help prepare me for this year’s Championship.’ Ko spoke to media as part of a joint-promotion of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, which will both be played at Dundonald over the coming weeks. Joining her in support of the championship was Scottish Ladies European Tour player, Gemma Dryburgh, who is looking to qualify for her second appearance in the event, and former Open Champion Paul Lawrie, with both professionals hosting a clinic at for Scottish sports stars Steven Naismith and Eve Muirhead. Talking about the co-sanctioning agreement between the LET and LPGA, Dryburgh said, ‘It’s amazing to have the chance to play such a big tournament in my home country and It’s exciting to have the opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world. I played my first Scottish Open here last year and had three steady rounds but I hope I can put on a good show for the locals and I’m up for the challenge.’ Dryburgh will be joined by confirmed global stars including world no. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn, Major champions Michelle Wie, Suzann Pettersen and Catriona Matthew, 2016 Ladies European Tour No. 1, Beth Allen, English sensation, Charley Hull, and of course 2016 champion, Isabelle Boineau, who looks to defend her title. Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns in 2017, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will kick off a superb two weeks of women’s links golf in Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the Men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both Championships. The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is also a key element of Scotland’s commitments to the staging of The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. For further championship and ticket information please visit: https://ladiesscottishopen.com/ or follow us at @AberdeenLSO ... Read more...LET and LPGA to co-sanction Ladies Scottish Open30/03/17A ground-breaking co-sanctioning agreement between the LET and LPGA has been reached that will see Dundonald Links host both the 2017 men’s and ladies’ Scottish Opens whilst elevating the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open to the highest prize fund event on the Ladies European Tour outside the Majors. The initial three-year deal, brought together by the LET and the LPGA in partnership with title sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management and key partner, VisitScotland, will see the event transition from a Pro-Am format to an individual stroke-play event with a stellar field and strong global media exposure. With a full 156-strong player field and a prize fund of US$1.5m, the enhanced 72-hole Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will sit on both the LET and LPGA schedules and underlines Scotland’s commitment to growing women’s golf as it looks towards hosting The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. It also draws on the strong support of Aberdeen Asset Management across all levels of the game, giving equal prominence to both men and women whilst helping to ensure live footage from both the men’s and ladies Scottish Open’s is beamed to golf fans around the globe. Taking place the week before the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns in 2017, the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will kick off a superb two weeks of links golf in Scotland. The back-to-back stretch of events echoes the successful strategy employed by the men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open – an approach proven to be a competitive advantage for those players competing in both championships. The men’s and ladies’ Scottish Open’s will be played at the same venue within a three-week period for the first time in Scottish Open history – a great accolade for the Kyle Phillips designed course at Dundonald Links in Scotland, the ‘Home of Golf’. “With world class women’s golf from across the continents, the event will generate huge interest, beyond the borders of the golf community.” Ivan Khodabakhsh Paul Bush, Director of Events with VisitScotland, said: “Scotland is known around the world as the home of golf and host of the world’s greatest golf events so it is entirely fitting that the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open stands proudly alongside these world-class tournaments on both the LET and the LPGA. The huge success of the men’s Scottish Open taking place the week before The Open provided the inspiration for us to achieve similar success with the Ladies Scottish Open ahead of the Ricoh Women’s British Open and these outstanding two weeks will now rival anything the world of golf has to offer. This historic agreement underlines Scotland’s commitments to women’s golf as we look forward to The 2019 Solheim Cup and I would like to pay tribute to both the LET and the LPGA, alongside our partners at Aberdeen Asset Management, for the vision to make this a reality.” Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management said: “This is huge stepping stone for the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open to rank alongside the biggest tournaments across both tours. It has been our vision to grow the event to a point where it becomes a staple on the world’s best players’ calendars whilst continuing to expose the Aberdeen brand in key markets. This deal, with live TV on both the Golf Channel and Sky Sports will continue to do that and we would like to thank all of those that have come together to make it happen.” Ivan Khodabakhsh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ladies European Tour, said: “The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is one of our most highly anticipated events and we are pleased to partner with VisitScotland, our fantastic tournament sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management and the LPGA to enable our Members to compete for a significantly increased prize fund. With world class women’s golf from across the continents, the event will generate huge interest, beyond the borders of the golf community, which will help to set the perfect stage for The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.” LPGA Commissioner, Mike Whan, said: “Given Scotland’s rich history in golf, I am excited that the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will provide an opportunity for the best players in the world to spend two consecutive weeks in Scotland. This tournament will be a great lead-in to the RICOH Women’s British Open, and give our global fans a great two-week viewing experience from the UK. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the LET, Aberdeen Asset Management, and VisitScotland to bring the world’s leading professional women golfers to our Scottish fans and spectators.” The 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will take place at Dundonald Links, North Ayrshire from 27th – 30th July. Further information on the event will be available in due course and you can follow the event #AberdeenLSO.... Read more...Team Beatson Raise Record Amount in Dundonald30/03/17Beatson Cancer Charity, which is committed to raising significant funds to enhance the experience, treatment, outcomes and wellbeing of current and former cancer patients and their families across Scotland and beyond, benefited to the tune of £11,050 as the Official Charity of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. Part of that figure came from a ‘Birdie Pledge’ initiative, backed by title sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management whereby every birdie and eagle made by the professionals amounted to £5 and £10 being contributed to the fundraising tally – totaling £3,375, with 641 birdies and 7 eagles being made across the three tournament days. An additional 10 birdies being made by amateurs on the par 3 sixth hole contributed a further £100. The Birdie Pledge contribution combined with the sale of daily prize draw raffle tickets and donations for official programmes, contributed more than £2,527 to the total amount, with the remainder being raised through on-site donations as well as a kind gesture from the Taste of Arran and Arran Dairies Managing Director, Alastair Dobson. Alastair, who played in the unique Pro-Am format event, raised £1,773 through sponsorship as well as contributing from his own pocket for every bunker he found himself in throughout the competition! Players, spectators and tournament staff helped raise awareness and much needed funds for Beatson Cancer Charity by turning the first day of competition into #WearItYellow day. Yellow, a colour associated with the charity, could be seen all over the course with a number of players kitting themselves out from head to toe, including Scotland’s Kylie Walker, originally from Glasgow. Kylie said: “It was a pleasure to be able to show our support to such a fantastic cause in Beatson Cancer Charity by wearing yellow, as well as contributing to the fundraising through the Aberdeen Asset Management Birdie Pledge. I’m delighted to hear such a great amount has been raised through the event.” The champion Isabelle Boineau made 14 birdies and 1 eagle during the tournament All money raised for Beatson Cancer Charity will support the thousands of patients and their families who visit The Beatson and its related facilities each year. Funding will help the charity continue to provide a comprehensive range of patient and family support including wellbeing and complementary therapies provided through the charity’s unique and award-winning Wellbeing Centre, throughout the cancer centre at related facilities across the West of Scotland. Lynda Affleck, Head of Charitable Giving at Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “We are delighted that such a wonderful sum has been raised to support Beatson Cancer Charity. We are also pleased that through their role as official charity at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, we have helped to raise awareness of their fantastic work with cancer patients and their families in the West of Scotland. “It has been a pleasure for us to work with Beatson Cancer Charity at the Ladies Scottish Open, and to raise this great sum. Our thanks go to all the players, the spectators, and the volunteers for showing their support on ‘Wear It Yellow’ day and throughout the event, without everyone’s support this wouldn’t have been possible.” David Welch, Chief Executive of Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone at Aberdeen Asset Management and everyone involved in the Ladies Scottish Open and the staff at Dundonald Links for supporting Beatson Cancer Charity for a second year running. The Ladies Scottish Open is a fantastic event with some spectacular golf on a great course and the money raised through everyone’s passion and dedication is simply amazing. “On behalf of everyone at The Beatson, my sincere thanks to everyone involved at Aberdeen Asset Management for such generous support for the charity a special thank you to the players, organisers, spectators, staff and local organisations who helped raise thousands of pounds for Beatson Cancer Charity which will go a long way in helping people are affected by cancer both now and in the future.” Michael Wood, Tournament Director of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, said: “We would like to thank Aberdeen Asset Management for their support of the ‘Birdie Pledge’, as well as the players, spectators and volunteers for the significant contributions they made throughout the week. Through their generosity, we have raised a fantastic sum of money for a wonderful cause. For more information on Beatson Cancer Charity please visit: www.beatsoncancercharity.org ... Read more...Isabelle Boineau wins the Ladies Scottish Open30/03/17Isabelle Boineau held her nerve at Dundonald Links to win her maiden Ladies European Tour title at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open on a day where the lead changed three times. A closing four under par 68 got the Frenchwoman to 11 under and handed her a one-shot victory over Linda Wessberg, with Beth Allen and overnight leader Becky Morgan a shot further back. Caroline Hedwall, Gwladys Nocera and Isabella Ramsay all earned themselves a place in next week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at Woburn by virtue of their finishes – being the top 3 players not otherwise exempt. Boineau, who won the Duke of York Young Champions event at Dundonald Link as a teenage amateur back in 2007 was elated with the win, which will give her a boost of confidence heading into playing the Women’s British Open next week. “What a tournament to win: the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open” said the 27-year-old. “Today is one of the best days of my life.” “I was very nervous on the last. I was shaking but I didn’t want people to see,” said Boineau, a third year Ladies European Tour professional. “Hitting my rescue, I was so nervous, because I had memories from when I played in 2007 when I think I was in the lead as well. I pushed it because I got scared of the water and finished second, so I thought, ‘Don’t do the same.’ I had my friend, Alexis, on the bag, which helped, because when you’re nervous time can go so fast. The putt was still difficult but when Linda missed hers I felt some relief. I thought, at worst I’ll be in a playoff.” “One of the best days of my life!” Isabelle Boineau It was all change early on day three. Wales’ Becky Morgan started with a three stroke lead but there was a two shot swing on the first after Boineau almost holed her approach shot for eagle. Wessberg then birdied the second and third before moving two ahead with a massive eagle putt on the fifth hole. Boineau birdied the fifth and then the 12th but dropped a shot at the 13th before Wessberg made a clutch par putt on 16 to stay one ahead. Boineau then holed from 10 feet on 17 to take the lead for the first time before Wessberg three putted. “I played well all day, started off really well, but then didn’t really make any birdies and had a hard time hitting the fairway. The first cut is quite difficult when you’re trying to attack the pins. I misjudged my putt on 17 going up the hill and thought it was going to be slower with the rain,” said Wessberg, who finished second. Allen needed a birdie on the last to tie for the lead but dropped a shot for a final round of 67. “The third shot was the shot I was trying to play. It was a really hard pin when you’re coming in with a long iron, like I had to. I hit 6-iron as well as I could and it didn’t go forward. I hit a chip shot which I thought was a safe one and I didn’t even hit that bad of a putt. I just got unlucky.” Earlier, Caroline Hedwall completed a course record final round of 64 and she ended in fifth place to claim her Ricoh Women’s British Open spot. The best placed Scot, was Vikki Laing who fired a closing round of 67 to finish on four under for the tournament and in 11th place overall. To view the final standings click here.... Read more...Final Round Underway30/03/17The final round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is now underway. The event is free to attend at Dundonald Links, and will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports from 11am. Follow the action: Live leaderboard – click here... Read more...Morgan takes charge at Dundonald Links30/03/17Becky Morgan set up a great opportunity for a first Ladies European Tour title after a second round of 66 gave her a three stroke leading heading into the final round at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. The 41-year-old Welshwoman had a second bogey-free round on the testing Dundonald Links layout in North Ayrshire to end the day three clear of Sweden’s Linda Wessberg and Frenchwoman Isabelle Boineau. Rookie professional Angel Yin of the United States, 17, and overnight leader Gwladys Nocera of France are tied for fourth on five-under while social media sensation Paige Spiranac of the United States defied her critics by making the cut at seven-over-par. Morgan, who has four times been a bridesmaid in her 16 years as a professional, with two runner-up places on the LET and two on the LPGA Tour, started the second round with a birdie on the 10th and then eagled the long 18th. She moved one ahead of the field with a birdie on the first and added two more at the fifth and ninth for good measure. “My putting has been great. I’ve holed a couple of bombs,” Morgan said. “I eagled the 18th today which was my ninth hole from about 45 feet and holed out from six feet really well. I haven’t had a bogey yet so it’s been good. “I’ve been on tour 16 years. It’s been fairly consistent but I haven’t won, so it would be very nice. I guess I don’t really feel my age. I’ve been out here 16 years but it doesn’t really feel like it.” The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is free entry with fun for all the family Wessberg, the early clubhouse leader, fired a 67 to get in position to challenge for her fourth win on tour. This is Wessberg’s third appearance since the birth of her first child, a daughter called Sigrid, in mid-September. A 15th place finish in Morocco, followed by a tie for fourth in Pilsen has given her high hopes of a return to the winner’s circle for the first time since 2009. She was inspired by watching compatriot Henrik Stenson win The Open at Royal Troon and Alex Noren the men’s Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, as well as her caddie, Ally Berry, the 2012 Disabled Open champion. Also at seven-under-par is third year LET player Isabelle Boineau, who has fond memories of playing at Dundonald Links in the 2007 Duke of York trophy as an amateur. Sally Watson is the leading Scot in a share of 11th on three under par, with two-time event winner Catriona Matthew in a tie for 18th on one over. At the other end of the leaderboard, Spiranac was delighted to make the cut in her second Ladies European Tour event. Six-over-par after her first six holes, she rallied with three straight birdies from the 18th to the second followed by seven straight pars for a 75 that left her on the bubble at seven-over-par. She said: “I started off so bad through five holes I was thinking, ‘don’t shoot 80’, but I got it back and made three birdies in a row so it felt good. It was good to come through today and shoot a decent round after how bad my start was.” Due to TV times, the third round will start at 7.10am on Sunday, with the leaders teeing off at 9am.... Read more...Linda Wessberg makes a move at Dundonald Links05/03/17Round two is underway in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. Sweden’s Linda Weesberg made the most of an early start in North Ayrshire with a fine five under 67, moving the Swede into the overall lead on seven under par after the first two rounds. A host of players are fighting for contention including Frenchwomen Isabelle Boineau, American teen Angel Yin, along with overnight leader Gwlady’s Nocera and Becky Morgan from Wales. With the afternoon pairings still out on course, there is plenty to play for. Follow the action: Live leaderboard – click here Team leaderboard – click here Tee times – click here Follow all the action through @AberdeenLSO #AberdeenLSO... Read more...Woods Delighted to Return to Home of Golf21/07/16Cheyenne Woods is looking forward to a strong weekend of golf as she makes her second consecutive appearance at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, which tees off this Friday at Dundonald Links, North Ayrshire. She hopes that her run of good form in recent LPGA events continues and will stand her in good stead for the tournament’s pro-am format, which is unique on the Ladies European Tour. Cheyenne says, “We’ve had a busy schedule so it’s been good to get some momentum going. Hopefully it holds up this week.” For Cheyenne, returning to Scotland allows her not only to connect with the ‘home of golf’ but also presents her with the challenge of playing a links course at the mercy of the elements – one which she relishes. While the weather during her first appearance last year came as a bit of a shock, this year Cheyenne is ready to tackle the tournament head on. She says, “It’s a nice change. It’s the home of golf; where it started. It feels pure and the fans appreciate the sport. “The event now occupies a prime spot on the Ladies European Tour calendar, sitting just one week ahead of the Women’s British Open.” “We don’t really get to play links style very often coming from the States. I think this is the only opportunity I’ll have this year, as the British Open isn’t a traditional links course. “Links golf is really fun. The biggest thing is just knowing what to expect. I didn’t really know what the conditions would be like, but then I saw the wind and how the course played, with the cold and everything. This year I feel a bit more prepared. “I’m going to be focusing on playing good golf, and if I can do that my goals will be achieved.” The 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open takes place at Dundonald Links on the West Coast of Scotland in North Ayrshire, from 22-24 July. The event now occupies a prime spot on the Ladies European Tour calendar, sitting just one week ahead of the Women’s British Open and offers a prize fund of €500,000. The event’s unique pro-am format sees 80 amateurs and celebrities tee it up alongside a limited field of 80 of the top female golfers in the world. The 54-hole tournament is played over three days and is the only annual professional Ladies European Tour event in Scotland. The event is FREE to attend with fun for all the family. For more information follow @AberdeenLSO #AberdeenLSO... Read more...Spiranac Opens Up on First Visit to Scotland21/07/16Paige Spiranac, like many professionals, dreams of playing full-time on the Ladies European Tour. And this weekend she will continue to work towards that goal at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, which begins on Friday at Dundonald Links, North Ayrshire. She says, “Everybody says to go to Europe and learn. That’s where you’ll improve your all-round game. I’ll go back to the US and try LPGA Tour Q-School, but I really want to play on the Ladies European Tour. That’s the number one goal.” Paige’s arrival at Dundonald Links marks her first visit to Scotland, the home of golf, and her second appearance on the Ladies European Tour, following on from the Dubai Ladies Masters at the tail end of last year. She returns to the Ladies European Tour off the back of a win on the American Cactus Tour. “I really want to play on the Ladies European Tour. That’s the number one goal.” Paige says, “I’ve been playing a lot of mini tour events in the US, so I’ve been focusing on my game. I got my first win recently on the Cactus Tour and that’s built my confidence. My scoring average has improved by four shots, too. “I’ve never played links golf before, so this is another learning experience. I’m from Arizona, where it’s desert golf. I just see fairway and dirt with cacti everywhere. If you miss the fairway, you’re in dirt and can’t find it. It’s nice because I can hit out of pretty much anywhere.” As Paige prepares to embark on her first Scottish golfing experience at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, she is looking forward to the challenge ahead. She adds, “I feel ready to test my game again. I’ve never been here before, and I feel mentally ready. It’s with amateurs, and it should be a lot of fun!” The 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open takes place at Dundonald Links on the West Coast of Scotland in North Ayrshire, from 22-24 July. The event now occupies a prime spot on the Ladies European Tour calendar, sitting just one week ahead of the Women’s British Open and offers a prize fund of €500,000. The event’s unique pro-am format sees 80 amateurs and celebrities tee it up alongside a limited field of 80 of the top female golfers in the world. The 54-hole tournament is played over three days and is the only annual professional Ladies European Tour event in Scotland. The event is FREE to attend with fun for all the family. For more information follow @AberdeenLSO #AberdeenLSO... Read more...Allen Targets Win on Adopted Home Soil21/06/16Ladies European Tour Order of Merit leader and adopted Scot Beth Allen says that she considers this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open as her home Major. The 34-year-old Californian, who lives in Edinburgh, feels right at home on Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire where she finished seventh last year and she is hoping to ride a wave of support as she bids for a second LET title in front of family and friends. “I’m really excited. Scotland is my home base, I live here, so I class this as my home tournament,” she told reporters on Wednesday. “I’m going to be really lucky to have a lot of people supporting me this week, including stragglers from my wedding (to former LET professional Clare Queen) on Saturday, so that will be really fun. It doesn’t distract me, it makes me feel a lot of support and I like having a tournament here in Europe that I can call home.” Allen earned her first title at the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters at the Buckinghamshire 12 months ago and she has come close to chalking a second after two top five finishes from seven starts on the LET so far this year. She continued: “It was massive for me. It was something I’ve worked towards for a long, long time. I had a lot of close calls and then when it happened at the Buckinghamshire, it was really, really special. I haven’t really let up since. I’ve played consistent golf since. I’d really like another win and when I get put in that situation again I think that it will be easier for me to deal with. I hope it happens again soon.” “I’m really excited. Scotland is my home base, I live here, so I class this as my home tournament.” Already qualified for next week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at Woburn, she says that this week’s event will provide the perfect mental preparation. “It’s great for me, because it means a lot to me, just like a Major, so mentally it’s a good way to go into the Ricoh (Women’s British Open).” The ninth year LET player hopes that the experience gained from playing several practice rounds on the links could enhance her prospects of success. “It’s nice to get to know a golf course and have a little bit of an edge on the field, because I don’t have to be here grinding this week.” As well as Beth Allen, there are a host of top names in the field including 16 players who have qualified for the Olympic golf competition, who will all be vying for a prize fund of €500,000. The 80 professionals will be joined by 80 amateurs over the course for the first two rounds in the unique Pro-Am event, with a host of celebrities including actor Dougray Scott, singers Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden and newsreader Naga Munchetty. The leading 60 (plus ties) Ladies European Tour professionals will qualify through to play the final 18 holes of the tournament, with the last putt expected to drop at 2pm on Sunday. The event is FREE to attend with fun for all the family. For more information follow @AberdeenLSO #AberdeenLSO... Read more...Catriona Matthew Named Solheim Cup Vice-Captain21/06/16atriona Matthew MBE has been named by Annika Sörenstam as a vice-captain for The 2017 European Solheim Cup Team at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in Iowa. The announcement was made at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open Leadership Forum on Thursday at The Gailes Hotel on the eve of the championship taking place at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire. Matthew is the first European vice-captain to be named for the 2017 team and said: “I’m really delighted to be vice-captain to Annika. It’s a great honour as she’s probably the best woman golfer there’s ever been and I’m really looking forward to it.” Matthew has played for Europe in eight Solheim Cups, earning 19 points from 33 matches. She and Annika competed on four European teams together, in 1998, 2003, 2005 and 2007 and formed a successful partnership winning a combined total of two foursomes and one four-ball match together. The 46-year-old from North Berwick, who counts the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open among her 10 international career titles, could potentially make her ninth Solheim Cup appearance as a playing vice-captain when the next contest is staged in the United States, on August 14-20, 2017. She is in a rich vein of form and next month will represent Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, along with Charley Hull, her 2013 four-ball partner. Matthew, who famously holed the winning putt in The 2003 Solheim Cup at Barsebäck Golf and Country Club in Sweden and secured the half point to win the Cup outright for Europe at Colorado Golf Club in 2013, continued: “It’s a long way off still but it’s a possibility. I’ll see how I’m playing next year and go from there. “I love The Solheim Cup and it’s my favourite week each time it comes round every two years. It’s just so different for a golfer to be in a team environment where you’ve got your teammates and the captains and vice-captains. Golf is such an individual sport that it just makes it great fun. I’ve got great memories from it.” “I’m really delighted to be vice-captain to Annika. It’s a great honour and I’m really looking forward to it.” Annika commented: “Catriona is a long-time friend and well-respected veteran of the game. As a major winner who has competed in numerous Solheim Cups, I’m very excited to welcome her to our team. She will be a tremendous asset, thanks not only to her experience playing the biggest events, but also because she is currently active on both the LPGA and the LET.” Ladies European Tour CEO Ivan Khodabakhsh said: “We are delighted that Annika has named Catriona Matthew as a vice-captain as her enormous Solheim Cup experience will add tremendously to the European team. With Annika and Catriona working together for a common cause, we are confident that Europe can achieve a second away victory when the competition is played next year in Iowa.” Commenting on the decision at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open Leadership Forum, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Having played in the Solheim Cup eight times, it is wonderful that a Scot – Catriona Matthew – will be Vice Captain at the 2017 event when it takes place at Des Moines in Iowa next August. I am sure I speak on behalf of everyone in Scotland and wish her and the team the best of luck.” The 2017 Solheim Cup will be the 15th staging of the biennial, transatlantic team match play tournament, which features the best 12 European players from the Ladies European Tour and the best 12 players from the United States on the LPGA. The United States team leads the series 9-5, having won by a score of 14 ½ – 13 ½ at The 2015 Solheim Cup at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Germany, while in 2013 at Colorado Golf Club, the Europeans achieved an historic first away win by a record 18-10 margin. For the 16th match, The 2019 Solheim Cup will be returning to Scotland, the Home of Golf and the scene of Europe’s first two victories, at Dalmahoy in 1993 and at Loch Lomond in 2000 respectively. The 2019 event will be played at the world famous PGA Centenary Course at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Host Venue for the successful 2014 Ryder Cup and the 2018 European Championships.... Read more...Inaugural Forum Celebrates Female Leadership21/06/16This afternoon, in advance of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open teeing off at Dundonald Links, Aberdeen Asset Management hosted the inaugural Ladies Scottish Open Forum: Female Leadership in Business and Sport. Introduced by Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Asset Management, the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, addressed a packed audience at The Gailes Hotel in North Ayrshire before taking part in an audience Q&A session. In her address to the audience, Sturgeon said: “We’ve seen some good progress in recent years, and it’s encouraging that activity levels amongst teenage girls are increasing. However, there is still a gender gap in sports participation and physical activity levels. There’s also a shortage of women involved in sport from grassroots right up to elite level. “My government is committed to doing more to support women and girls to be more active and to promote their participation in all aspects of the sporting sector and in being active more generally.” Speaking alongside Martin Gilbert on the business panel were Rain Newton-Smith, Director of Economics, CBI; Krystyna Nowak, Managing Director of UK Board Practice, Norman Broadbent; and Justine Lutterodt, Director of the Centre for Synchronous Leadership. The panellists debated a range of topics including the possible impact of Brexit on gender equality, equality targets and supporting female entrepreneurship. “My government is committed to doing more to support women and girls to be more active and to promote their participation in all aspects of the sporting sector.” Martin Gilbert commented: “The inaugural Aberdeen Asset Management Forum on female leadership in business and sport has been a huge success and the quality of discussion from our panellists kept a large and influential audience engaged and enthralled. Female representation in business is still a big issue, which we at Aberdeen take very seriously. Today’s forum reflected on the work that still needs to be done but also on the progress already made. There is no doubt that diversity makes for better decision making and should be seen as a competitive advantage. “I am particularly indebted to the First Minster for launching the forum, and for being so supportive with our sponsorship of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Ladies Scottish Open.” Lively debate followed in the sport panel, which was moderated by broadcaster Georgie Bingham. Panellists included Alison Kervin, Sports Editor, Mail on Sunday; Steve Martin, CEO, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment; and professional golfers and Aberdeen Asset Management ambassadors Cheyenne Woods and Catriona Matthew. During the event and on behalf of the Ladies European Tour, the Scottish First Minister announced that Catriona Matthew will be Vice Captain of Team Europe for the 2017 Solheim Cup. The 46-year-old Scot, one of the star names in the Ladies Scottish Open field, has been tipped as a strong favourite to captain Europe when the Solheim Cup is held at Gleneagles in 2019. Catriona Matthew remarked: “I love The Solheim Cup and it’s my favourite week each time it comes round every two years. It’s just so different for a golfer to be in a team environment where you’ve got your teammates and the captains and vice-captains. Golf is such an individual sport that it just makes it great fun. I’ve got great memories from it.”... Read more...Walker: Dundonald A Big Hit21/05/16The Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open is back at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire this week and Scot Kylie Walker is a huge fan of the venue and competition format. The star-studded field of 80 professionals and 80 amateurs will pair up to compete over the Kyle Phillips-designed course that was acquired by Loch Lomond in 2003 for the first two rounds from Friday, followed by a cut to the leading 60 Ladies European Tour professionals only on Sunday. “It’s a great course,” said Walker, adding: “I think the Pro-Am element is great fun and it’s the only time that we play this format. I’ve always enjoyed playing it like this. “The feedback from the amateurs that I’ve heard in the past is that they enjoy playing with the ladies, because typically the ladies are a bit more relaxed and chat a bit more going round the course. They can compare their games more closely, as opposed to with the male pros. Sometimes the male pros hit it so long that the amateur guys feel inferior but with us, they can learn from our games and the smoothness of our swings and we’re not too far off the same distance.” “I think the Pro-Am element is great fun and it’s the only time that we play this format. I’ve always enjoyed playing it like this.” Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural women’s event in 2015, Dundonald Links will also host the men’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in 2017, which will move from Castle Stuart. Walker would like to see the men’s and ladies’ events played at Dundonald Links back-to-back. “I think back-to-back could work really well here. I definitely don’t think you could host the men’s tour and the ladies’ tour at this course at the same time, but maybe one course nearby or something.” The 2018 European Championships golf event at Gleneagles will feature a mixed team competition and Walker enthused: “I think that’s going to be a really good fun event that could drum up a lot of spectators and media attention. I think it could work really well.” However, when asked if she would like to partner her fiancé, European Tour professional Scott Henry, in the contest, whom she is due to marry in December, she said: “We’ve never partnered up in an event and I don’t know how that would go, to be honest. The wedding might be off!” Walker will start the tournament from the 10th tee at 7.41am on Friday in the same group as her namesake Sophie Walker from England.... Read more...Junior Pro-Am at The Gailes Golf: Leisure21/05/16Local children from around Ayrshire participated in the inaugural Mini Junior Pro-Am and The Gailes Golf: Leisure ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. The 15 young golfers, who were selected from over 200 juniors who regularly take lessons as part of The Gailes ‘Juniors Do Golf’ programme, played with LET professionals Lydia Hall, Laura Murray, Vikki Laing, Becky Brewerton and Noemi Jimenez Martin. They then received a special visit from Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon with high fives all round. The winners were Ewan Baird, Louise Milligan, Caitlin Milligan and their Scottish LET professional Vikki Laing, who all received prizes from Golphin. Organiser and PGA Professional Craig Thomas commented: “We organised the event as an opportunity for local children to integrate and meet some great players, be inspired by them and use the opportunity of having a great women’s tournament here to help the community.” “It was really fun and I learnt a lot of skills about how lady professional golfers play their shots and how they set up to take their shots.” Golf professional Eddie Thompson from The Gailes added: “This is fantastic for the juniors. They were so excited and absolutely loved it.” Pro-Am winner Caitlin, aged 11, said: “It was really fun and I learnt a lot of skills about how lady professional golfers play their shots and how they set up to take their shots.” Her grandmother, Patrice Milligan, commented: “I think it’s good to have role models who can show the children what to do and inspire them to become professional golfers. She really enjoyed it and it’s been great for all the kids.” The juniors were also invited to participate in a coaching clinic during the first round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.... Read more...Former champion Nocera sets the pace in Scotland21/04/16Gwladys Nocera from France set the target with a five under par 67 on day one of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire. Nocera delighted the Scottish fans as she topped the leaderboard after a busy first day at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open – a day that was turned yellow in aid of Beatson Cancer Charity, with many players and spectators wearing yellow to show their support. The Frenchwomen’s total of five under par after round one was good enough for a one shot lead, ahead of a trio of golfers including Hannah Burke, Becky Morgan and Nanna Koerstz Madsen with a clutch of players one shot further back on three under par. Norcera, winner of the 2008 Ladies Scottish Open, shot an impressive five birdies on the front nine, with an additional birdie on the 18th. Just one blemish on an otherwise perfect card came at the par four 10th, where the talented Frenchwomen dropped a shot. Five Scots including Pamela Pretswell are in close contention and within the top 15 She said: The first couple of holes were pretty hard. It was raining and windy so we had the full experience of Scottish weather. But then it got really good and sunny, not too windy, so we had a good back nine. Sometimes the approaches were close and the putting was good. Everything was good at different times. “It is a difficult course if the wind picks up because there are a lot of bunkers in play off the tee and the greens have a lot of double slopes, so it’s really hard to read the lines but we’ve done a good job.” In the amateur team competition Sweden’s Camilla Lennarth with playing partner Jamie Govan lead by one shot on 10 under par. To view the final leaderboard after round one click here. To view the team leaderboard click here. To view round two tee times click here.... Read more...Rio Olympians Gather at Dundonald Links21/04/16Golfers from around the world have brought a touch of Brazil to North Ayrshire at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. Sixteen Rio Olympians are competing in the tournament at Dundonald Links this weekend. Team GB golfer Catriona Matthew – who finished round one at Dundonald Links one under par – says, “It’s been a goal of mine all year to try and make the Olympics, so to be in is fantastic. “I think I’ve got a good chance; I’ve been playing well this year and I’ve had some good finishes. All the top women are going so it’s going to be tough competition, but if you can get your putter hot you never know.” Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who will represent Denmark in Rio, adds, “It feels really special to wear the Danish flag as it’s so rare that we have the chance to represent our country and promote our sport to a global audience of billions. It’s amazing to think that I will be an Olympic athlete, in the same position as those I really admire and used to watch when I was growing up.” Pictured above are: WIKSTROM Ursula (FIN); TAMMINEN Noora (FIN); SIMON Ashleigh (RSA); HADDIOUI Maha (MOR); SKARPNORD Marianne (NOR); WOLF Christine (AUT); LEURQUIN Chloe (BEL); LOVELADY Victoria (BRA); MATTHEW Cartiona (SCO); CIGANDA Carlota (ESP); MADSEN Nanna (DEN); VERCHENOVA Maria (RUS); SPILKOVA Klara (CZE); NOCERA Gwladys (FRA). “It’s been a goal of mine all year to try and make the Olympics, so to be in is fantastic.” The 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open takes place at Dundonald Links on the West Coast of Scotland in North Ayrshire, from 22-24 July. The event now occupies a prime spot on the Ladies European Tour calendar, sitting just one week ahead of the Women’s British Open and offers a prize fund of €500,000. The event’s unique pro-am format sees 80 amateurs and celebrities tee it up alongside a limited field of 80 of the top female golfers in the world. The 54-hole tournament is played over three days and is the only annual professional Ladies European Tour event in Scotland. The event is FREE to attend with fun for all the family. For more information follow @AberdeenLSO #AberdeenLSO... Read more...
