Scotland’s Festival of Golf is set to bring top-class sport and tourism to Scottish cities and towns throughout 2024
Dean McHugh (Ref) https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/golf/st-andrews
Golf can often be the subject of great debate, but one topic that everyone around the world agrees on is that Scotland is the home of golf.
Home to some of the finest courses on the planet, starting in July, Scotland will play host to some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. Known as Scotland’s Festival of Golf, seven tournaments will take place on Scottish shores between July 14th and October 6th.
Not only will each tournament play host to some of the biggest stars across the professional men’s, women’s and senior tours, but with the tournaments being held all over Scotland, the Scottish economy and Scottish businesses should receive a major boost.
In this article we will break down everything you need to know about this brilliant festival of golf and what tournaments will soon be making their way back to the country where this brilliant game began.
The Genesis Scottish Open, The Renaissance Club – July 11th – July 14th
The first tournament of Scotland’s Festival of Golf will take place at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick. Held the week before The Open, the Scottish Open is a vital week for all of the PGA Tour’s best stars as they look for form ahead of one of the biggest weeks in the game.
The Renaissance Club is just 30 minutes outside Edinburgh, and if the sun is shining, there is no better place to play or watch.
Last year’s tournament was one of the best on the PGA Tour as Rory McIlroy posted successive birdies on his 71st and 72nd holes to deny hometown favorite Robert MacIntyre a historic and memorable victory.
A high-class field will once again descend on this beautiful part of Scotland, and a truly special week lies in store.
The Open, Royal Troon – July 14th – July 21st
Arguably the most famous golf tournament in the world returns to Royal Troon as it hosts the 152nd renewal of The Open.
One of golf’s four Majors, the Open is the oldest tournament in professional golf and throughout its long and illustrious history, all of the game’s greatest players have been able to get their hands on the famous Claret Jug.
Royal Troon has held the Open on nine separate occasions, with Henrik Stenson emerging victorious when the course last hosted the tournament back in 2016.
All of the game’s best players will hit the Ayrshire course in the hope of adding their names to the tournament’s famous list of former winners. Scottie Scheffler will be aiming to win his first major away from Augusta, whilst Rory McIlroy will be hoping to put the pain of his recent US Open defeat behind him and land his second Open title.
The Senior Open, Carnoustie – July 25th – 28th
After the conclusion of The Open, some of the game’s elder statesmen take center stage for one of the greatest prizes in the senior game, The Senior Open.
Set to be held at Carnoustie, this will be the third time that this famous course has hosted this special event.
Situated between Glasgow and Dundee, Carnoustie represents one of the game’s hardest tests and is one of the UK’s most treasured courses.
Multiple major winners will be in attendance, with Steve Stricker, Padraig Harrington, Richard Bland, and Bernhard Langer headlining this year’s field.
Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen, August 1st – 4th
The top class senior golf continues the week after the Senior Open, and the bandwagon will roll north for the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship.
While the majority of Scotland’s greatest courses are located between Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Fife, Trump International is one of the best courses located in the north of the country and is just 20 minutes outside of Aberdeen.
Those wanting to watch some of the best senior stars in action will find themselves right on the doorstep of the Highlands and just minutes away from some of the very best scenery that Scotland has to offer.
Women’s Scottish Open, Dundonald Links, August 15th – 18th
After the men and seniors have played their tournaments, next is the turn of the ladies to take center stage.
The first of two dedicated women’s events will take place at the picturesque Dundonald Links. Located just up the road from where The Open will take place at Royal Troon, those looking to witness Scottish golf at its finest will be in their element here.
Similarly to the men’s game, the Scottish Open is designed to give the best female players in the world an opportunity to hone their skills before the Women’s Open, which will take place the following week.
All of the best female players in the world will be in attendance, and there will be high hopes that Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, or local favorite Gemma Dryburgh will be able to win one of the UK’s most famous female prizes.
AIG Women’s Open, St Andrews – 21st – 25th August
For just the third time in history, the Old Course at St Andrew’s will host one of the female game’s biggest prizes – the Women’s Open.
When it comes to Scottish Golf, the first course that springs to mind is St Andrews. The ancestral home of the game, the course is visited by players and fans from all over the world and the course often ranks as one of the very best on the planet.
Everywhere you look, St Andrews is littered with history and with the course being right in the heart of the town, those visiting the area can get up close and personal to the stars and become familiar with some of the course’s most famous landmarks.
With huge crowds expected, most of the pre-tournament attention will focus on Nelly Korda, who has taken the women’s game by storm this year.
Georgia Hall was the last British winner of this famous tournament, and there will be high hopes that another British player may be able to get their hands on one of the most famous trophies in the women’s game.
Alfred Dunhill Links, St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns – 3rd – 6th October
One of the DP World Tour’s flagship events heads to Scotland for the annual renewal of the Alfred Dunhill Links. A truly unique event, the very best European players play the first three rounds across three separate courses – St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns. A cut is made after three rounds, with the remaining players in the field then playing the final round back at St Andrews.
Situated just before the end of the European golf season, the Alfred Dunhill represents a final opportunity to earn some crucial points in the Race for Dubai standings.
For those wanting to attend this special event, it isn’t just some of the best professional golfers that will be gracing the links. The tournament is one of the best Pro-Ams in the world and stars from the world of sport, film and TV and business will all be in attendance.
It is fitting that a tournament of this stature rounds out a brilliant Festival of Golf, and with plenty of golf to enjoy, this year has the ability to live long in the memory.
