The pro-am of the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open took place on Wednesday, with Dundonald Links bathed in glorious Scottish sunshine as players heaped praise on the condition of the course and wonderful facilities at Dundonald.
The highest ranked player in the field, World No.2 Lilia Vu, leading Scot Gemma Dryburgh, English stars Charley Hull and Georgia Hall and USA star, Rose Zhang, one of 33 players making their Scottish Open debut, were amongst the players talking to the media ahead of the opening round tomorrow.
Lilia Vu on being back in Scotland…
“I love being back in Scotland. I feel like the fans are great. They know real golf. They are super friendly and, I love being out here. Hopefully the weather holds up.
And I think my goal this week is just to be adaptable to the weather, whatever it is. Today is really beautiful. I wish it was like this every day but I know some weather is going to be coming in.
This tournament is always so fun, and I hope it stays. I always look forward to coming to Scotland every year. It’s just one of my favourite places to play.”
On links golf and the course condition…
“I love links golf. I think it’s really fun. You kind of have to be really disciplined with your starting lines. You always have a target that you want to land at, but you have to aim it way far away from that to be able to achieve that.”
Rose Zhang on her first impressions of Dundonald Links….
“The clubhouse is incredible. It’s super nice, super cozy. I played, or I got here on Monday afternoon evening and played a little bit yesterday. I really got a taste of links weather. I got through four holes before my entire self got soaked. So I really got a true taste of what it would be like tomorrow and the couple days after. I think today’s weather was perfect. The course is playing pretty difficult. I mean, it’s links golf and you definitely have to be creative. You have to learn to commit to the wind and your yardages, but that’s the test of links golf. I’m pretty excited to really just get the week going.”
Georgia Hall on returning to Dundonald having missed last year’s tournament…
“I wish I played last year now. But yeah, really happy to be back. Favourite country in the world. I love being here. Got great weather today but I heard it’s going to be quite awful tomorrow but I’m looking forward to it. I think it will be fun and a challenge.”
On what it would mean to win the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open…
“I love links golf. I think it’s really fun. You kind of have to be really disciplined with your starting lines. You always have a target that you want to land at, but you have to aim it way far away from that to be able to achieve that. It’s one of the events on the top of my list because I love being in the place and the country and I always try and play every year in this event. Just to play a links golf, we only get to do it once or twice a year so try and make the most of it.”
On who handles the bad weather better USA vs Europe players…
“I think definitely British people handle the weather a lot better because we understand the weather here and we have more links golf courses. I would have to say that we have a slight advantage, but at the end of the day, you have to hit the ball straight.”
On staying on-site in the luxury Dundonald Links lodges…
“It’s so easy. I can just walk everywhere, walk to get something to eat and in the morning, it saves a bit of travel time and the lodges are just lovely to stay in. I’m sharing with Charley (Hull). We basically live together every day. But yeah, just really enjoying being here and staying in such luxury.”
Charley Hull on being back competing in the UK….
“It’s really good to be back in the U.K. I always like being at home. I can drive to events and stuff and you just feel a bit more content because you have your home comforts, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Scottish No.1 Gemma Dryburgh on watching Bob MacIntyre beat a similar world-class field at the men’s Scottish open earlier this summer…
“Watching Bob win at Renaissance was so inspirational. I sent him a message and just said how proud we are of him. It’s just amazing to see what he’s done the last year or so — well, few years, actually. You know, to try and win The Scottish Open would just be a dream of mine like it was his. It would be great to kind to follow in his footsteps.”
Tournament in Numbers:
5 out of the world’s top 10
18 major winners with 27 titles between them
31 nationalities represented
46 LPGA winners with 177 titles between them
36 Olympians including the 2024 Gold and Silver medallists
6 past champions
33 players making their debut
About the new title partner ISPS HANDA
ISPS Handa’s vision is to use sport as a platform to make the world a better place, by using the power of sport to unite communities and by giving people a chance to live better lives through sport. ISPS Handa is a Japanese-based philanthropic organisation that combines donations from individuals and companies to invest into a broad platform of events, programs and people with the aim of using the power of sport to achieve positive things in the world. ISPS Handa started as a vehicle to help blind people and people with other disabilities to live more fulfilled lives, and while the scope of the organisation has broadened significantly, helping people with disabilities remains a major priority for the organisation. ISPS Handa sponsors a range of events globally including a number that cater to people with disabilities. We currently or recently have supported events in Australia, Japan, USA, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, England, Spain, Wales and Singapore most of which include a disability focus. ISPS Handa sponsors a number of sports and organisations and golf has always been an important sport due to its ability to offer opportunities for people with disabilities and its global nature. Since its creation, ISPS Handa has partnered with many of the world’s most prominent sporting bodies including, LPGA, LET, R&A, PGA Tour, DPWT, PGA Tour of Australasia, Golf Australia, Rugby Australia, Wheelchair Rugby Australia, Invictus, Sentebale, Halberg and NZ Football Federation to name a few.
Awarded GEO certification for second year
The ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open has been awarded GEO certification for the second year running. The 2023 certification means the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open maintains its status as the only golf event in Scotland to be GEO Certified®. It was also the first Ladies European Tour event to achieve GEO Certified tournament status following the 2022 edition, demonstrating the tournaments leadership in sustainable golf events. This year’s event will continue to lead the way for sustainable golf events through a wide range of actions during the week. Key initiatives include:
- Venue – Dundonald Links is at the forefront of sustainability and climate action, first becoming GEO Certified in 2013 and successfully renewing three times since then. Recognition for sustainability has also come through Golf Tourism Scotland, Ayrshire Business Awards, BIGGA, IAGTO and through the Golf Environment Awards. The club has a zero waste to landfill policy and exceptional water management initiatives.
- Electricity – invested £20k in house power and mains electricity with the only generators on site in the TV compound.
- Water – Fully recyclable water bottles and water refill boxes provided by Highland Springs and reusable Chilly bottles for tournament staff.
- Catering – provided by Dundonald Links who uses local a supplier with locally sourced food. No plastic used and all cutlery to be metal, glass water bottles to be provided and a water fountain.
- Transport – Public transport encouraged through social media, cycling encouraged through social media with free cycle park and tournament entry being offered. The tournament is also working alongside North Ayrshire Council’s Active Travel team to recommend best route.
- Media – Reducing printed materials by offering draw sheets, tournament programme and key information via QR code. Fully recyclable water bottles and water refill boxes provided in the media centre.
Photo credit: ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open
