- Gullane hosted the European Tour event in 2015 while the Ladies will play there for the first time
- American Rickie Fowler triumphed on the European Tour in 2015
- The move continues Aberdeen Asset Management and Visit Scotland’s innovative strategy of playing both tournaments on the same course within the same month
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.
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 Men’s Scottish Open: www.aamscottishopen.com/tickets
Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open: www.ladiesscottishopen.com/
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