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| Alan Hansen in Action at Scottish Ladies |
Only Rebecca Coakley and Martina Gillen of Team Ireland are confirmed entries for the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open Presented by EventScotland which will staged at Archerfield Links in East Lothian, Scotland from August 18th - 20th
The tournament is being hosted on the par 72 Fidra course which is a traditional Scottish Links course designed by European Senior Tour professional, DJ Russell and is a unique event featuring a Pro Am format with 60 professionals and 60 amateurs.
Played in teams of two, comprising one pro and one amateur, the professionals will play over three rounds with no cut for a prize fund of €200,000. Two competitions run concurrently: an individual tournament for the professionals and a team event for the amateurs and pros. Only the top 15 amateurs in the team competition will make the cut after 36 holes and play the final round on Friday alongside their professional.
South African Lee-Anne Pace, who is ranked second on the LET’s Henderson Money List following her win at the S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe on Sunday, leads the star studded line-up. She claimed her second LET title of the season last week at Conwy and loves the challenge of links courses.
Among the ten Scottish professionals competing is Lynn Kenny from nearby Stirling, who is attached to Archerfield Links. The 30-year-old is enjoying a solid season on the Ladies European Tour, currently lying in 61st position on the Henderson Money List. She is hoping that her local knowledge will be an advantage this week and said: “If I could win it here, it would be amazing. Words can’t explain how I’d feel. It would mean the world to me.
Solheim Cup star Mhairi McKay makes a return to Scotland from America and the 35-year-old, who tied for 17th in the 2008 event at The Carrick on Loch Lomond, will be aiming to please the home galleries.
Vikki Laing from nearby Musselburgh is the leading Scot on the LET’s Henderson Money List in 18th place having played in 14 tournaments and lives just 30 minutes’ from the golf course.
Rising star Carly Booth, 18, from Comrie, also features along with Krystle Caithness, Pamela Feggans, Kathryn Imrie, Heather MacRae and Clare Queen, who hopes to kick-start a slow season.
Among the amateurs is 20-year-old Eve Muirhead, skipper of the British women’s Olympic curling team, who is also a keen golfer and plays off a handicap of two. She will team up with Scottish professional Kylie Walker playing in the first group at 9am on Wednesday, alongside Australian professional Kate Combes and top Scottish amateur Sally Watson.
Football’s Alan Hansen will partner the Tenerife Ladies Open champion Trish Johnson from England while supermodel Jodie Kidd will play with Italian Veronica Zorzi as part of the same four-ball playing at 10.10am.
Aberdeen Asset Management is the sponsor with EventScotland acting as presenting sponsor. The event is also supported by East Lothian Council and British Airways.
