TGWSO TO WELCOME BACK SPECTATORS AT 2022 EVENT
April 24, 2022
- 2022 Prize purse increased to $2 million.
- Dundonald Links holds the 2022 Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open for the first time since 2017
- Catriona Matthew announced as Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open ambassador
Tickets will go on general sale on the 3rd May for the 2022 Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open, taking place at Dundonald Links, 28th – 31st July. This news mirrors Scotland’s continued recovery from the pandemic with golf having lead the way in delivering international outdoor events safely since the Women’s Scottish Open marked a return to play in 2020.
With a busy summer of international golf scheduled in Scotland, the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open stands out as the only event to take place in the West of Scotland. It is traditionally one of the most spectator-friendly events of the year as fans get their first opportunity to watch 144 of the world’s best women golfers take on the unique challenges presented by one of Scotland’s leading links courses.
A Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open golf day marked the launch of this year’s event as attendees experienced at first hand the benefits of the significant £25 million investment from new owners Darwin Escapes. The recently revealed enhancements have transformed the club into a luxury golf resort with a world-class traditional links golf course.
Trust Golf, who recently extended their title sponsorship of the Women’s Scottish Open for four further years and increased the prize-fund by 33% to US$2 Million, continue to work with IMG and VisitScotland to enhance the reputation and experience of this long established event, with the renovated Dundonald Links considered the perfect venue following the success of 2021.
The Thai based technology enterprise took over as title sponsor in 2021 as part of their ambition to help grow the women’s game and develop the next generation of golfers. Founded by Dr. Prin Singhanart, Trust Golf works with the next generation of Thai golf professionals and through its sponsorship of the Women’s Scottish Open aims to forge closer relationships with Scotland and to further develop its educational programme.
Scotland’s most successful women’s golfer, Catriona Matthew was also on hand at Dundonald Links as she was announced as the new tournament ambassador. The two-time victorious European Solheim Cup Captain commented: “I am delighted to able to take on this ambassador role for what has been one of my favourite events to play throughout my career. I am so impressed by all the enhancements that Dundonald Links have implemented as well as by the plans Trust Golf, Visit Scotland and IMG have for the future and I am very excited that I will be a part of it.”
Trust Golf founder, Dr Prin Singhanart, who recently sponsored the Trust Golf Mixed Series in Thailand, commented: “We are delighted to welcome so many here today at the spectacular venue of Dundonald Links as we look forward to a new era of the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open together with our partners VisitScotland and IMG. We are very happy to be announcing today that we will be able to welcome spectators to enjoy the event as we look to enhance and grow this historic event to sit alongside the best tournaments on the schedule. We recently announced an increase in the prize fund to $2 million and we will continue to look to raise the bar in this area as we aim to grow the game and create the best opportunities for female golfers.”
Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, commented: “We have a fantastic summer of world-class golf ahead of us in Scotland, with five weeks of some of the best events of the year taking place on our shores through July and August. The 2020 Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open marked our first event back after covid stopped play earlier that year and welcoming back spectators at this year’s tournament is yet another important landmark in Scotland’s continued recovery from the pandemic. As recent data showed, female golf participation in Scotland is on the up and this is an event that we will continue to focus on with the goal of inspiring our next generation of golfers.“
Ian Ferguson, club manager at Dundonald links commented: “We are thrilled to be hosting the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open, and to be partnering with Trust Golf, VisitScotland, the LPGA, LET and IMG to deliver this prestigious event. It has been great to welcome everyone here today so that they can experience all the upgrades we have made since the event was last here in 2017. With all the improvements made to the course, we believe it will provide the perfect stage to showcase the world’s best women golfers as they enjoy all the challenges our links course presents.”
Ross Hallett, Senior Vice President at IMG, the tournament organisers added: “With the long-term sponsorship commitments of both Trust Golf and VisitScotland, as well as our tournament co-sponsors, we believe we are extremely well-placed to continue to grow this tournament in terms of stature and investment in the coming years. The enhancements at Dundonald Links are so impressive and I think the players, returning here for the first time since 2017, are going to absolutely love the facilities on offer as well as the quality of the course which has also benefited from considerable investment. We are so pleased to welcome the great Catriona Matthew as our Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open ambassador and believe she will provide invaluable counsel and insight as we continue to upgrade the players’ experience.”
After obtaining her maiden victory at this event last year after 228 starts on Tour with a spectacular bogey-free final round of 64, Ryann O’Toole has confirmed she will return to Dundonald Links next year to defend her title at the 2022 Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open.
O’Toole commented: “I can’t wait to return to Scotland as the defending champion next year. Last year was a dream come true to win my first LPGA title, and being in Scotland, The Home of Golf, made it even more special. It took a while to get the win but now I have it. I’m hungry for more, so I can’t wait to get back there and do my best to defend. I am also really excited to see how Dundonald Links has changed since I was last there in 2017.”