Less than a year after its official opening, it has been confirmed that Dumbarnie Links is to stage the newly-named Women’s Scottish Open.
The Fife course, designed by former Ryder Cup player Clive Clark, will host the cream of the Ladies European Tour and LPGA from August 12-15 – the week prior to the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie.
Formerly known as the Ladies Scottish Open, the event also has a new backer this year, with Trust Golf, part of the Thai-owned TCT Corporation, coming on board as the title sponsor.
The Thai-based technology enterprise, founded by Dr Prin Singhanart, works with the next generation of Thai golf professionals and through its sponsorship of the Women’s Scottish Open hopes to forge closer relationships with Scotland and to further develop its educational programme.
Dr. Prin commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Scottish Government, IMG, the LPGA, and the Ladies European Tour as we look to bring our company’s ethos out into the wider world. This leading Tournament offers us a wonderful platform to spotlight the work of Trust Golf and we really feel that there is no better place for us to take our next step than Scotland, the Home of Golf. We are honoured to partner with Visit Scotland who have done so much to support golf, and especially the women’s game, and excited to be part of Dumbarnie Links’ first professional golf tournament. I’m excited to see how we can develop this partnership in the future.”
The Scottish Government, meanwhile, will continue its support of the tournament through VisitScotland, underlining its support of women’s golf through a five-year funding commitment to the tournament.
The new agreement will see the Scottish Government and VisitScotland continue to support the Women’s Scottish Open with investment of up to £6m through to 2025.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture Fiona Hyslop said: “Our long-term commitment to the Women’s Scottish Open underlines the important role women’s sport plays at the heart of a fair and equal society and I’m pleased that we are able to continue our support for a tournament that has grown into one of the most important on the women’s golf calendar.”
Clive Clark, a former European Ryder Cup player and renowned course architect who founded, designed and developed Dumbarnie Links, said: “We are very excited to be hosting our first professional event this summer and are looking forward to showcasing our beautiful course to the global audience that follows professional golf. We are very much looking forward to seeing how the world’s best women golfers take on the challenges of Dumbarnie Links as well as partnering with Visit Scotland and Trust Golf.”