Window of opportunity .. driving from Balgownie's first tee with the clubhouse lounges only a few feet behind.

Waiting to tee off for their practice rounds at Balgownie.

Who could putt with boaties sailing about in the bay? As Andra Kirkcaldy was once supposed to have excused some poor putting by himself over the Old Course. In fact, there are not many links courses like Royal Aberdeen that have some magnificent views of the sea and Aberdeen bay from the first tee. Practice putting in progress for the British women's stroke-play championship.

Royal Aberdeen's first hole with bunkers left and right to catch the not-so-straight drives. The tiny figure in the centre of the picture is approaching the first green. In the background, oil rig supply ships at anchor in the bay. Images by Cal Carson Golf Agence. Click on them to enlarge.

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! ROYAL ABERDEEN GIVE

LADY COMPETITORS FREEDOM OF CLUBHOUSE

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
It would have been unthinkable a generation or two ago, but men-only Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, founded in 1780 and the sixth oldest in the world, has thrown open its clubhouse doors and facilities – even the men’s toilets - to WOMEN this week!
The occasion is the British women’s open amateur stroke-play golf championship, over four rounds between Wednesday and Friday.
It’s not the first female golf tournament to be played over the Balgownie links. The Scottish women’s amateur championship was played there in 1992 but Aberdeen Ladies Golf Club, which has its own clubhouse and membership, were the hosts then in its Centenary Year.
But this is the first women’s tournament with a “British” tag to be hosted by Royal Aberdeen Golf Club which, for many years, allowed females in the clubhouse only on very special occasions.
But the times are a-changing as Royal Aberdeen’s Director of Golf for the past 34 years, Ronnie MacAskill says:
“We are delighted to welcome the Ladies Golf Union and the Ladies’ British open amateur stroke-play championship to Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. It’s the first time we’ve staged this event, the first time we’ve hosted a major ladies’ golf championship and, obviously, Aberdeen Ladies are helping out.
“We are very much looking forward to a week of exciting golf and good weather.
“The lady competitors have the run of the Royal Aberdeen clubhouse. Our members can only go into one little room – that’s the first time that’s ever happened. But I have to say that the members are delighted about it.”
Carnoustie-born Susan Simpson, who, as the LGU Head of Golf Operations, is running the championship, said:
“We’ve been made very welcome at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and the competitors have free run of the men’s clubhouse. We have been given use of the spacious men’s locker room and also the men’s toilets. The men are having to use the ladies’ toilet in the clubhouse this week.
“I can say, quite honestly, that we’ve been welcomed with open arms and the competitors are set to enjoy a spectacular links golf course.”
In 2010 Royal Aberdeen Golf Club will host the men’s Walker Cup match between Great Britain & Ireland the United States.
If the Ladies Golf Union hierarchy are favourably impressed with all aspects of what Royal Aberdeen Golf Club has to offer, and first impressions are very favourable, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that Balgownie will be pencilled in as a future venue for a prestige occasion such as the Curtis Cup or Vagliano Trophy international representative women’s amateur team match.

+Spectators will be made very welcome by the Ladies Golf Union at the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship. The draw for the first round cannot be made until the last of the competitors have arrived and registered. They have until 2pm Tuesday to do that. Once we get the tee times for Wednesday, we will post them on this website.

+There is no admission charge and car parking is free! Come along and enjoy the best female golf ever played over Balgownie's historic links.