With the 2024 Women’s Scottish beginning on August 15, the focus is on Dundonald Links, a 6,700-yard legendary golf course on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland. Every single one of the 18 holes has a tale to tell, right from the greenside bunkers to the shifting coastal winds. Dundonald Links, with its par-72 course, is not only the place where the championship takes place, but it is also the story of the game of golf itself. But what makes this course the perfect setting for such a prestigious event? And what is the history behind Dundonald Links?

Dundonald Links has been charming golf lovers right from its formation on March 23, 1911, and it was designed by the great Willie Fernie. It was originally one of the longest courses in Scotland. The course was severely disrupted during the Second World War when it was used as a military base and was heavily bombed. But this was not the end of its story. The course was redesigned in 2003 by architect Kyle Phillips, who incorporated the modern layout when Loch Lomond Golf Club acquired Dundonald Links.

Dundonald Links was then sold to Darwin Escapes in 2019, which initiated a £25 million development plan. Then, in 2021, a new clubhouse and luxury accommodations were started. Now, it is compared to other prestigious courses in Ayrshire, such as Royal Troon and Turnberry. It has now established itself as a top 30 course in Scotland.

The greens at Dundonald Links are rolling, and there are pot bunkers and water hazards that are strategically placed to challenge every aspect of a golfer. The Women’s Scottish Open 2024 will be the ultimate challenge—a combination of tradition, layout, and scenic beauty that is the best of golf. But other than this event, this GC has seen various other prestigious events take place.

Major events that took place at Dundonald Links

Over the years, Dundonald Links has been privileged to host some of the most important golf events. The first one was the European Tour Qualifying School in 2008, and the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open from 2015–2017, which established it as a venue for women’s professional golf.

The course was also a pioneer in 2017 by hosting both the Scottish men’s and women’s Opens in the same year. Further, it has been the host of the R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship in 2014 and the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open since 2021. Since 2023, Dundonald Links has also been the venue for final qualifying for the Open Championship, which makes it one of the leading golfing venues.

The Women’s Scottish Open has been played at Dundonald Links 5 times before, excluding this year. The 2023 event was taken up by Celine Boutier, a 29-year-old from France, as she came out on top to take home a winner’s cheque of $300,000. The previous year, 2022, Ayaka Furue, who was only 23 at the time, made a sensational final round of 62 to win the title as well as $300,000. The wins of both players only added to the fact that the course is a true test for the best golf players.

The 2024 Women’s Scottish Open has a total purse of $2 million. Until 2020, it was $1.5 million. From the 36 Olympians who competed in Paris last week, including Lilia Vu, Rose Zhang, Jin Young Ko, and Charley Hull, to the 18 major winners, including Minjee Lee and Brooke Henderson, the tournament will have 156 big-name players.

As we look forward to the 2024 Women’s Scottish Open, who do you think will win this year’s championship? Comment below!