Matthew renews affection for Carnoustie

Catriona to promote ‘Carnoustie Country’ ahead of Women’s Open

Catriona’s Carnoustie: Matthew will return to the scene of her Scottish Amateur win for the Women’s Open

As the world’s leading lady golfers face up to the daunting task of taking on Carnoustie as it hosts the Ricoh Women’s British Open for the first time, one former champion will be returning to the Angus links with fond memories and a renewed affiliation with the area.

2009 Women’s British Open champion Catriona Matthew has an affinity for the course at which she savoured one of her first significant successes, winning the 1991 Scottish Ladies Amateur.

And in addition, Catriona has recently been named as the first Carnoustie Country global golf ambassador, with her role being to promote the area’s golfing pedigree around the world.

And the Scot who plays predominantly in the US on the LPGA Tour has already been fulfilling her ambassadorial role as she enlightens her curious colleagues about the test that awaits.

“A lot of players over here are all talking about coming to Carnoustie and asking me what it’s like and if I’ve played there and that, and they are certainly all excited about coming over and playing it,” said Matthew.

“Obviously they have watched the men play there the last couple of times. So I think you always like coming to courses you know are well known and that have had big tournaments on before.”

The hosting of the 2011 Ricoh Women’s British Open is another first for Carnoustie. Hosts Angus Council aim to make the most of the event and Catriona’s association with their Carnoustie Country brand, as they promote their valuable golfing assets to key visitor markets in Europe, USA and Asia.

The council’s golf tourism spokesperson David May explained: “Catriona’s outstanding international reputation is a perfect match with our Carnoustie Country brand, as both promote Scottish golfing excellence to the global market. As a top golf professional, and Scottish Major winner, Catriona will be a major asset for Carnoustie Country, helping us drive golf tourism to the area.”

Catriona became the first Scottish woman to win a major and only the fourth Briton when she claimed the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in August 2009.

What made this magnificent achievement even more remarkable is that she won her first major title only 11 weeks after giving birth to her second daughter Sophie.

With three LPGA victories and three LET victories as well as five appearances in the European Solheim Cup team, her Major victory was universally celebrated amongst players, fans and media.

Carnoustie Country is a must play destination for keen golfers with over 30 courses within a 40 minute drive, include an Open Championship and three Open qualifying links course.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered