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Visit to Scotland marks first LET tournament of 2012 on European soil
Next week will see 70 of Europe’s best female golfer’s team up with renowned VIPs and celebrities as they participate in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open presented by EventScotland.
The three-day tournament will take place at the magnificent Archerfield Links in East Lothian, from May 3rd to 5th.
The unique Dunhill Links-style format is attracting a fantastic celebrity attendance, making this year’s tournament even higher in profile than in previous years.
Cricket heroes Michael Vaughan and Darren Gough will be joined by ex-rugby stars Gavin Hastings and Andy Nicol as well as Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole in the field of competitors.
They will be playing with the Scottish Ladies European Tour stars such as Aberdeen Asset Management ambassadors Catriona Matthew, Carly Booth, Kylie Walker and Lynn Kenny, as well as a host of international golfers, at a luxurious world class venue north of Edinburgh, on the east-Scottish coast.
Brendan Cole, who will be making his tournament debut, said: “I am very much looking forward to playing in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Archerfield this May. It’s promising to be a great tournament with a fantastic player field and it will be fun to test my golfing skills. I have not played the Fidra Links course before, but hope to get some tips from some of the top LET golfers.”
Brendan will also be taking to the streets of Edinburgh teaching Lynn Kenny and Carly Booth some dance moves in a ‘Strictly Come Golfing’ tournament promotion activity outside the National Gallery on Tuesday 1st May at 13:00.
The 2011 tournament champion Catriona Matthew, from nearby North Berwick, commented: “It’s good to have a different format every so often. It’s quite special that the sponsors and their guests get to play more than just the normal Pro-Am, and having a few celebrities is an additional positive.
“I’m lucky enough to be an honorary member at Archerfield and I feel at home and relaxed there. I think it’s a great venue for this tournament. In fact I literally can stay at home, in my own bed, which is a huge bonus!”
The Archerfield Fidra Links in East Lothian opened in 2004 and is a premium golfing destination in Scotland.
The Fidra Links is the original of the two courses at Archerfield Links, and at just short of 7000 yards from the back tees this is a true test of any golfers’ skill. The first 11 holes of this par 72 course wind their way through pine trees giving the course a unique character amongst other courses in East Lothian, whilst keeping a traditional links feel, with deep menacing bunkers and fast running greens.
The course takes its name from Fidra Island which is reportedly the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island which he wrote sitting in the Marine Villa, one of the unique properties located on the Archerfield Estate.
Golf has been enjoyed on the Archerfield Estate for centuries, with the original 18 hole course designed by Ben Sayers. More recently the Fidra Links has been enjoyed by Major Champions including Sir Bob Charles, Gary Player, Ian Woosnam and Mike Weir.
