Dundonald Links asserts itself on international golf map

“Dundonald Links was the perfect venue to stage both major tournaments,” said Ladies’ Scottish Open tournament director Michael Wood. “Being a links course, the natural, firm and relatively flat terrain ensured that the course was every bit as well presented for our women’s event.

“Even with the vast number of rounds played over both tournaments and with over an inch of rain during the men’s event and closer to an inch-and-a-half of rain during our tournament, the course stood up fantastically well.”

Dundonald is now working on a marketing programme to capitalise on the success of the two events and encourage fans who attended and watched the events on television to follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s most renowned men’s and women’s players and play the Kyle-Phillips-designed links.

Bill Donald, general manager at Dundonald Links, said: “It was a privilege to be asked to host both Scottish Opens and hugely exciting for the team here to see so the top players in the men’s and women’s games competing at Dundonald.

“We are proud that the course stood up so well and provided an excellent test for the professionals. It highlights how much Dundonald has to offer as one of Scotland’s finest modern links and we will be working hard to attract more golfing visitors on the back of such a historic milestone for the course.”

Also reflecting on the two events, Dundonald course designer Kyle Phillips said: “I was impressed in general with the high level of play and imagination I saw from the ladies playing at Dundonald – particularly under such difficult weather conditions during the week.

“Certainly winner Mi Hyang Lee proved to be a worthy champion. Scoring ten-under-par over the weekend was an amazing feat.”