Ladies Scottish Open bounces back on to schedule after 2009 absence

Published on Monday 14 December 2009 22:02

AFTER falling off the schedule this year, the Ladies Scottish Open is to make a welcome return in 2010 and looks certain to feature Catriona Matthew, the Ricoh Women's British Open champion, following the announcement that the event will be held at Archerfield Links, her home base in East Lothian.

• Archerfield has been chosen to host the Ladies Scottish Open. The competition was left off the tour schedule for 2009 as no suitable venue could be found.

Presented by EventScotland, the 54-hole tournament will be held from Wednesday, 18 to Friday, 20 August and is set to break new ground on the Ladies' European Tour with a pro-am format for the duration of the event.

"The return of the Ladies Scottish Open is fantastic news for Scotland and we have worked tirelessly with partners to ensure its reinstatement to the Ladies European Tour schedule," said Paul Bush, chief operating officer at EventScotland. "The event provides a valuable platform from which to demonstrate Scotland's ability to host world-class golf events as well as support our exceptional homegrown talent such as 2009 Women's British Open winner Catriona Matthew."

While Matthew's presence at Archerfield Links is subject to her 2010 schedule, the 40-year-old from North Berwick seems certain to head the field for an event that will form part of a mouth- watering festival of golf for Scottish fans next summer.

It starts with a three-week run in July that takes in the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews and the Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie; continues with the Scottish Seniors' Open at Fairmont St Andrews and concludes with the Johnnie Walker Championship, the last counting event in the race for Ryder Cup places, at Gleneagles.

After an 11-year absence, the Ladies Scottish Open was resurrected in 2007, when the Swede Sophie Gustafson lifted the title at The Carrick on Loch Lomond. Twelve months later, at the same venue, Gwladys Nocera from France provided the event with another strong champion.

Despite exhausting efforts behind the scenes, a venue couldn't be found for this year, but both Event Scotland and promoters WSM Sponsorship are delighted to have secured a new home for 2010 in East Lothian.

"In the years leading up to the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, it is imperative that Scotland continues to build upon the success of our unrivalled golf events calendar and for the past year it has been a priority to ensure that the Ladies Scottish Open returned to Scotland's golf calendar," said Robbie Clyde, project director for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Event Scotland. "Archerfield Links will provide an exceptional backdrop for play and there will undoubtedly be a great deal of excitement among players and golf fans for the return of this fantastic tournament to an area with such a rich heritage in golf courses."

While some eyebrows may be raised about the tournament finishing on a Friday, that decision has been made to avoid a total clash with the aforementioned Scottish Seniors Open. That event, to be played over the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews for the second year running, starts on the Friday of that same week and finishes on the Sunday, giving fans the opportunity to take in both events if they so wish.

The Ladies Scottish Open simply had to take place in 2010.

It will be one of 27 events on the 2010 Ladies European Tour and its executive director, Alexandra Armas, is delighted that her members will be returning to Scotland again.

"It is only right that there is a women's professional tournament in the country and we hope that this event will build on the raised profile that Catriona Matthew's major victory has brought to the game," she said.

"Aspiring Scottish female golfers will be able to watch top-class golf at home on their own doorstep, which will be a huge inspiration at all levels."

"We have all worked extremely hard to bring the Ladies Scottish Open back to the LET schedule and encourage every golf fan, young and old, to come out and support this fantastic new event."