Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open qualifier returning to Longniddry

Following two successful stagings at the East Lothian course, Longniddry is to host the qualifier for the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

The two-round tournament, supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments, the EventScotland team within VisitScotland and the European Tour, takes place on July 4 and 5 and, once again, will see four players secure spots in the $7 million Rolex Series tournament at The Renaissance Club the following week.

A prize fund of £35,000 will also be up for grabs in the event, which is a PGA in Scotland Order of Merit tournament, for the sixth year running.

"The five Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open qualifiers so far have been a great success, with some notable players qualifying for Rolex Series event itself over the years. We are looking forward to building on that success when the qualifier returns to Longniddry in July," said PGA in Scotland manager Shona Malcolm.

"It will be a pleasure to work with the team at Longniddry again, where everyone from The PGA is made to feel most welcome, the course provides a true test of golf and the members offer great support either through volunteering or coming along to watch the tournament unfold."

Club captain Keith Bowman added: "We are delighted that Longniddry GC has been asked for the third year in a row to be host.

"It has been a highlight for us and we are very much looking forward to welcoming back players and supporters to our club next July.

"It's great to see how your course is played by top players and there is a great atmosphere in and around the clubhouse over the two days of competition.

"As members, we have many new and exciting things happening at the club in 2020 as we continue to build and enhance our reputation across East Lothian's Golf Coast."

Scott Henry, the last man into the field, won the 2019 qualifier, beating Calum Hill in a play-off after the pair carded matching 10-under-par 126 totals in a low-scoring event, which saw Chris Doak and Kris Nicol secure the other two spots up for grabs.

“It is wonderful to return to Longniddry for this Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open qualifying event after its huge success last year," said Rory Colville, Championship Director for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

 “This qualifier gives young Scottish golfers the opportunity to earn their place on the world stage alongside some of the best golfers in the world at The Renaissance Club and last year, Calum Hill took full advantage of that.

“After qualifying at Longniddry, he finished the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open as the joint low-Scot which shows the importance of the qualifier for this event.

“We are delighted to partner with Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland and EventScotland as we are able to showcase two great golf courses in East Lothian in the space of two weeks.”

Jill Maxwell, Global Head of Sponsorship at Aberdeen Standard Investments, said: "Longniddry has proven to be a popular venue and superb host of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open qualifier for the past two seasons, so it makes great sense to return for a third time in 2020. 

"As a business, Aberdeen Standard Investments prides itself on supporting golf at all levels, so to be able to offer four up-and-coming Scottish golfers the chance to play in their national open is really important to us.

"Thanks to those at Longniddry, along with all the key partners for supporting this event, which will undoubtedly be a huge success and will begin a fantastic stretch of golf in Scotland next summer.”

Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, added: “I am thrilled that through the support of our EventScotland team and other partners we are able to bring yet another great event to a fantastic venue in one of Scotland’s most renowned golfing regions.

"Longniddry is an excellent example of the strength in depth of venues we have in Scotland, the Home of Golf and I’m sure it will once again prove a terrific host venue for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open Qualifier having been so warmly received by competitors last year.”

The criteria will be exactly the same as the first five years, with a field of 144 being made up of exempt PGA players plus other PGA members and assistant professionals that enter, assuming they have Scottish nationality under the PGA’s eligibility requirements or are currently employed at a golf club in Scotland.

A number of amateurs will again be nominated by Scottish Golf while some sponsor’s invitations will also be issued.

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