Stars and Celebs to descend upon Dundonald Links

Familiar faces in sport, music, TV and radio will join some of the world’s best female golfers at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire next week, when the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open swings into action on Friday July 24, kick starting a three day unique Pro-Am style event in Scotland, the Home of Golf.

The mix of celebrities and professional golfers are expected to draw in large crowds to the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, as legends from football and rugby along with media, film and music personalities tackle the Kyle Phillips designed Dundonald Links course that is preparing to stage the event for the first time.

Former footballer and pundit, Alan Hansen who was the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open Amateur Champion of 2013 will be joined by former teammate Murdo MacLeod and one of the outstanding rugby players of his generation in Gavin Hastings, which is sure to provide some exciting viewing. Former Westlife band member Brian McFadden will be swapping the stage for the fairways as will BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty who made her debut in the event last year.

Alan Hansen commentated: “Winning the amateur element of the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open back in 2013 ranks right up there with my proudest golfing achievements so I can’t wait to play in the event again. It’s a great event that the spectators always enjoy so I’m looking forward to a fun three days at Dundonald.”

The star studded group will also be joined by LA based actors and friends Andrew Howard and Tony Curran. Welshman Andrew Howard starred in the recent American blockbuster, Limitless and most recently wrapped up a new 10-part series, Agent X, starring Sharon Stone, which premieres this autumn whilst Glaswegian Tony Curran is best known for his work on Gladiator. Other celebrities expected to tee it up amongst the world’s best include Scottish comedian Fred Macaulay, and former Scottish and English rugby captains, Rory Lawson and Mike Tindall.

The celebs will join professionals such as defending champion Trish Johnson, world number two Lydia Ko, two-time Major winner Suzann Pettersen, Cheyenne Woods – niece of Tiger, Solheim Cup star Charley Hull along with a strong Scottish contingent in Kylie Walker, Pamela Pretswell, Carly Booth, Vikki Laing, Sally Watson, Kelsey Macdonald and two-time winner Catriona Matthew.

Along with now occupying a prime spot on the Ladies European Tour calendar the free to attend event also offers an increased prize fund of €500,000. The 54-hole tournament is played over three days from 24-26 July and is the only annual professional Ladies European Tour event in Scotland, seeing 80 amateurs and celebrities tee it up alongside a limited field of 80 of the top female golfers in the world.

For Scotland it continues a sensational month of golf with the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open having taken place at Gullane Golf Club last weekend, before this week’s Open Championship at St Andrews. It is then the turn of the ladies with the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open closely followed by the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Turnberry.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, which has supported the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open since 2007, said: “The stunning pictures being beamed around the world from Gullane and St Andrews have really showcased the incredible golf on offer on Scotland’s east coast but next week the focus will turn to the west where both Dundonald and Turnberry will provide terrific venues for our top-class ladies events.

“I’m delighted that such a strong field is assembling for the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open and the presence of the celebrity players will add an element of stardust to this exciting event. Golf is an important part of our world-class tourism offering and I’m sure the people of Ayrshire will welcome the event with open arms as we showcase yet another fantastic region for golf in Scotland.”

For more information on the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open or Dundonald Links (owned by Loch Lomond) please visit www.ladiesscottishopen.com #BePartOfTheGame.