- East Lothian venue to host Scotland’s National Opens for the first time
- The move continues the innovative strategy of playing both tournaments on the same course within the same month
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open will return to East Lothian next year when The Renaissance Club hosts Scotland’s National Open on the European Tour for the first time from July 8-14, 2019.
This will be followed by the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, which will once again be played over the same course, from August 5-11, 2019.
Founded in 2008, The Renaissance Club nestles on 300 picturesque acres along the Firth of Forth and is one of the newest additions to the world-famous stretch known as Scotland’s Golf Coast.
Designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Doak, who is known for minimalist designs that incorporate the natural features of the land, the course has quickly become established as another East Lothian golfing gem.
This year’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, just along the coast at Gullane Golf Club, once again forms part of the European Tour’s Rolex Series, which comprises eight premium tournaments on the 2018 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, Dundonald Links in Ayrshire and Gullane all enjoying hosting duties since then.
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, which is co-sanctioned by both the Ladies European Tour (LET) and Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), has also become established as a key event in the schedules of many of the world’s best female golfers and holds the largest prize fund ($1.5 million) in European Women’s golf, outside of the Majors.
Since its opening in 2008, The Renaissance Club has proven a significant addition to the golf tourism offering in East Lothian, gaining worldwide acclaim for the quality of its layout and design. As part of its commitments to hosting Scotland’s two national opens, the club has pledged to continue to support the golf tourism industry in Scotland by targeting additional visiting golfers from around the world as well as introducing a reduced rate for Scottish Golf members through their seasonal tee time programme.
Additionally, the club will work with both VisitScotland and Scottish Golf to support and fund women and junior golf development initiatives and make its practice facilities available to Scottish Golf’s amateur squads during preparation for major events.
Photo credit: Laurence Lambrecht
Martin Gilbert, Co-Chief Executive of Aberdeen Standard Investments said: “At Aberdeen Standard Investments we are committed to hosting our sponsored events at the best possible venues around Scotland. The Renaissance Club is certainly one of those and we’re delighted that the Men’s and Ladies’ Scottish Opens will be showcased to both the spectators and an ever-increasing global TV audience from The Renaissance Club in 2019. We’re sure it’ll be a huge hit with the world’s best players and thanks must go to all those involved in making it happen.”
Sports Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “I am pleased agreement has been reached for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Men’s and Ladies Scottish Opens to be staged at the Renaissance Club in 2019, a venue which has proven to be a great addition to one of the country’s most iconic golfing regions on Scotland’s Golf Coast.
“I’m particularly pleased with their commitment to open up the club to members of Scottish Golf-affiliated clubs, and their support for women and juniors. These initiatives fit well with the Scottish Government’s commitment to the development of golf in Scotland, particularly among women and young people, as we prepare to host The Solheim Cup in 2019.”
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “We are delighted to bring the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open to The Renaissance Club and a course which has quickly built a reputation as one of the finest in a simply stunning part of Scotland.
“East Lothian proved to be a wonderful host area when Gullane first held the event in 2015, and we are looking forward to two fantastic tournaments in the area in succession this summer and again in 2019. Our thanks go to our partners Aberdeen Standard Investments and Visit Scotland for their vision and commitment to bringing world class events to golf fans in Scotland.”
Jerry Sarvadi, Founder/Chief Executive of The Renaissance Club said: “We are delighted to be hosting both the Men’s and Ladies Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open tournaments in 2019. We look forward to showcasing our golf course, designed by world renowned golf course architect Tom Doak, and our other world class facilities to golfing fans from around the globe.
“The course will provide a true links challenge that will be enjoyed by the world’s golfing elite and we look forward to welcoming them and visitors from around the world to experience the stunning views at The Renaissance Club on Scotland’s Golf Coast.”
Cllr John McMillan, Provost of East Lothian and Spokesperson for Economic Development & Tourism, said: “I am delighted to see the return of both these events to Scotland’s Golf Coast in 2019 and for the first time to The Renaissance Club. I am sure that the players, organisers and spectators will receive outstanding hospitality and welcome in East Lothian and I am very much looking forward to both 2018 and 2019 being East Lothian’s Summer of Golf.”
Golf fans can enjoy two world-class fields in Gullane this summer when the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open (July 12-15) and the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open (July 26-29) are played over the space of a fortnight in East Lothian.
Fans can buy tickets from just £15 to see some of the world’s best golfers – as well as official Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open hospitality packages – at www.asiscottishopen.com
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open is one of the premier events on both the LET and LPGA, and the only co-sanctioned event with equal playing rights across both Tours. The event is FREE for all who register on https://ladiesscottishopen.com/
For ticket information on The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open visit https://www.asiscottishopen.com/
