Macdonald Hotels and Resorts tees up free tuition for female golfers

Initiative launched to mark the hotel group’s sponsorship of Scottish Ladies Open

To mark its partnership with the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Ladies Open, Macdonald Hotels and  Resorts is offering complimentary lessons to females at five of its UK golf hotels.

Women of all ages and abilities will have access to the very best coaching from the group’s qualified PGA Professionals as part of the ‘Get into Golf’ campaign. Women represent just 15% of golfers in the UK*, and the initiative was created to encourage participation in the sport at a grassroots level.

Golf Operations Manager and former European Tour professional Emma Goddard launched the campaign at the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa where she was joined by the first group of participants.

She said: “Golf is an incredibly rewarding sport which helps keep you active and teaches valuable lessons that can be applied on and off the course.

“Traditionally, there have been a lot of barriers for women interested in taking up golf.  Today women represent just 15% of golfers in the UK which, when compared to sports like cycling or tennis, is incredibly low. Indeed, when you look at other European countries, which record figures as a high as 38%, it’s clear we are falling behind. 

“But with a number of recent high-profile success, including Georgia Hull’s famous victory in the 2018 Women’s British Open, appetite is growing.  By giving young girls and women a taster we hope to inspire the next generation of female golfers.

“I fell in love with golf the first time I stepped out on the course, and now I want to help other young girls experience the magic of the game.” 

Bolstering its commitment to women’s golf, Macdonald Hotels and Resorts has partnered with the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Ladies Open. The tournament will take place between 
 August 8 to 11 at The Renaissance Club, near the group’s Macdonald Marine Hotel.

Keith Pickard, Group Director of Golf and Leisure at Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, said: “We are delighted to be a part of the upcoming Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Ladies Open. It is shaping up to be an exciting tournament which will help encourage participation and involvement in golf throughout the UK.”

Complimentary lessons for budding female golfers will be available at Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa in Cheshire, Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel Golf and  Spa in Shropshire, Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf and Spa in Peebles, Macdonald Linden Hall Golf and Country Club in Northumberland and Macdonald Spey Valley Resort in Aviemore.

Terms and conditions apply, and further details of the initiative, including dates, times, and how to book tuition can be found at www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/getintogolf


Kimberley Beveridge from Aboyne wins 

Scottish women's amateur championship

Kimberley Beveridge from Aboyne Golf Club worked hard in gusting winds to come out on top against Chloe Goadby in a thrilling Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship Final.

Down by one hole at the half-way point in Sunday’s Final, Beveridge battled back to birdie the first three holes on the back nine to take her first lead of the match at the 12thhole. A par on 13 was enough to give Beveridge a two-hole lead with five to play.

Still 2 up with three holes to play, Beveridge looked in control of the match, however Chloe Goadby refused to back down as she birdied holes 16 and 17 to tie the match with one to play.

With little splitting the two players all day, it was Beveridge’s sensational approach shot on 18 that would separate the pair as her 8-iron from 131 yards stopped just short of the hole to set up the winning putt.

Speaking to Scottish Golf after winning on the last, Beveridge said, “I struck that last shot really good actually, it landed probably about 20-feet and rolled down nicely to the hole. The nerves kicked in for that two-foot putt, but I just went for the stroke and it went in.”

On being crowned Scottish Women’s Amateur Champion, Beveridge said, “Hearing that sounds really good, I am absolutely buzzing. I didn’t expect it to be honest, I just plodded along and played my own game and came away with the result.”

Beveridge had earlier beaten Tara Mactaggart of Minto Golf Club with a 2 and 1 semi-final victory while runner up Goadby reached the Final with a 3 and 2 victory against Louise Duncan.

The Clark Rosebowl Matchplay brought yet more success for Aberdeenshire golf with Banchory’s Megan Robb seeing off Nairn’s Carinne Taylor by two holes.

Speaking to Scottish Golf, Robb said, “It was difficult today, the conditions are tough and Carinne is a good player. It could have gone either way, going down the last I was nervous, and my hands were shaking. With being 1 up, I just said to myself don’t do anything dumb. I was able to put it on the green and hole my putt which was nice.”

With two players from Aboyne also representing GB & Ireland at the Vagliano Trophies this week, the newly crowned Scottish Women’s Amateur Champion believes women’s golf in the region is in a good place, adding, “It is really strong at the moment and it is good to see some younger girls coming in to the game which is what we need, it is really good.”

For a full list of results from this year’s Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship, please click the link below:

> View scores from the 2019 ScottishWomen’s Amateur Championship