The 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open is on track to take place next month, Aug 13 – 16 at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, marking a return of professional women’s golf to Scotland for the first time since Europe’s remarkable triumph in the 2019 Solheim Cup last September.
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The tournament is set to go ahead without spectators as a made for TV event following close consultation and collaboration with the Scottish Government, Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland, the LPGA and the LET, fully adhering to internationally recognised COVID-19 protocol and subject to necessary formal approvals of athlete quarantine exemptions.
The decision to move forward with the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open has been taken only once organisers and stakeholders could ensure delivery of an event with all relevant safeguarding and protocols in place. The tournament has a robust operational plan, which has been established with medical and health and safety specialists to make sure that all appropriate measures are in place that meet the high standards required by the Scottish Government as well as adhering to all WHO guidelines.
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Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, said: “The ability to host a tournament of the stature of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open is great news for Scotland and is only possible thanks to the hard work of the many partners involved to develop the safety plans necessary to allow this fantastic event to take place.
“The Scottish Government is committed to equality in sport and society, and I am therefore particularly pleased that we are able to support the return of female professional golf to Scotland, building on the last year’s enormously successful Solheim Cup. I’m sure that audiences across the world will be enthralled by the stunning East Lothian coastline and views of one of the country’s top courses. I hope that will inspire many to visit when the time is right and offer a morale boost for Scots to see the return of international events to our shores.”
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Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, an Aberdeen Standard Investments ambassador, said: “We are all happy to hear that women’s golf will be getting back underway in Scotland and especially grateful to Aberdeen Standard Investments and VisitScotland for working so hard to make this happen and putting all the necessary COVID-19 related practices in place and for being so supportive of the women’s tours.”
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The victorious 2019 Solheim Cup Captain continued, “With men’s professional golf back playing, it is important that we are able to follow suit, so this is really excellent news for the women’s game and I am delighted to be preparing for my national open in just over a month’s time.”
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British No.1 Charley Hull added, “The massive impact of COVID-19 has definitely put golf in perspective but I know all the players will be very thankful that Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland and IMG have worked so hard to make it possible for these events to be played. I know for sure that all the players, like me, have really missed competing and, although I will miss playing in front of the fans, hopefully they will enjoy watching on the TV and get behind us on social media.”
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Jill Maxwell of Aberdeen Standard Investments added, “The decision to proceed with the tournament as lockdown measures begin to ease has not been taken lightly. The safety and wellbeing of everyone onsite is the top priority and as title sponsor, Aberdeen Standard Investments will remain part of ongoing discussions with the event organisers to monitor the situation and react accordingly should the situation change. We felt it important to honour our commitment to this event to help provide a vital boost to Scotland’s events sector. We want to show our support through tournament initiatives that will help local communities and charities and lastly our continued involvement in the LSO for a 12th year underpins our commitment to equality by supporting women’s sport. We hope this news brings some joy back to sports fans who will be able to tune in on TV and various social channels."
Fans will be able to watch the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open on Sky Sports and the Golf Channel, with enhanced content on its digital channels, www.ladiesscottishopen.com, @LadiesScottish #ASILSO #RuleTheLinks.