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East Lothian juniors to play Muirfield ahead of AIG Women's Open

Three teenage golf champions of the East Lothian Junior Golf League enjoyed dream access to one of the sport’s most revered venues, Muirfield, ahead of the AIG Women’s Open which takes place there from 4-7 August.

The R&A

29 Jul 22

3 mins

Having demonstrated their talent for golf throughout 2022, Louise Martin, 14, Ryan Gallagher, 17, and Ryan Pirie, 15, earned the right to tee up in the Championship’s pro-am on Tuesday 2 August where they will play alongside one of the world’s best golfers.

Martin, who plays with a handicap of 11 and is a member at Gullane Golf Club, is looking forward to seeing top players up close. She said: “I will definitely look at their course management, routine and short game.” To enhance their experience The R&A, organisers of the AIG Women’s Open, also offered the trio a practice round in advance to help hone their games at the home of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.

World-class venue

Stuart McEwen, Secretary of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, said: “We were delighted to invite the juniors to Muirfield and give them an opportunity to experience playing at a world-class venue ahead of the AIG Women’s Open pro-am. “We are also looking forward to welcoming some of the best professional female golfers in the world and hope to play a small part in a successful Championship that will inspire a future generation of golfers.”

In 2022, the AIG Women's Open will be played at Muirfield for the very first time. An historic golf course that has played an integral role in Championship golf, Muirfield will present a wonderful test for the game's greatest golfers.

Family connections

Gallagher, who will go to the United States next year to continue his golf journey at college, said: “It’s amazing to see the course championship ready, it’s in the best condition. “We had all of the top men playing just down the road a couple weeks ago at The Renaissance Club for the Genesis Scottish Open and now we’ve got the best women players coming to Muirfield, which is great for golf in East Lothian.” Martin and Gallagher will be supporting British players Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, while Pirie, from Knox Academy, has a family connection to the 2022 AIG Women’s Open: “I’ll be supporting Marianne Skarpnord because my dad’s cousin is caddying for her.”

Global growth

Jackie Davidson, Director – Golf Development at The R&A, said: “The R&A is committed to the global development of the game of golf and it’s crucial that as part of this we inspire future generations to play at every level. “The opportunity to see the best players in the world up close for these promising young talents will, I hope, fuel their passion for the game and perhaps we might see them teeing up in amateur championships and beyond in the future.”

Championship Info

Follow the tournament news via the AIG Women’s Open website - https://www.aigwomensopen.com/ or via social media: FB - @ AIG Women’s Open | TW - @AIGWomensOpen | IG - @aigwomensopen The AIG Women’s Open will take place from 4 - 7 August at Muirfield, with tickets on sale via aigwomensopen.com. Adult tickets will start from £35 with children aged under 16 years old admitted free of charge. Spectators aged 16-24 years old will be entitled to purchase youth tickets starting from £17.50. A £5 Mastercard discount is available once per person.