Club manager says Nairn being award women’s amateur championship can boost golf across Highlands
NAIRN Golf Club being awarded the Women’s Amateur Championship will prove to be a big boost in highlighting the Highlands a major destination for Scottish golf.
That is the view of the club’s general manager Paul Mills who says the course hosting one of the biggest events in women’s amateur golf is a huge accolade.
The 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship will take place at Nairn Golf Club in 2025 from Monday, June 9 to Saturday, June 14.
It is the second time that Nairn Golf Club will host the Women’s Amateur Championship, having previously hosted the event in 1979, which was won by Maureen Madill from Northern Ireland.
It is the latest major tournament the venue has been awarded.
Nairn hosted the 2021 Men’s Amateur Championship as well as hosted it in 1994.
Other major competitions which Nairn Golf Club have hosted have included The Walker Cup in 1999, an amateur match between Great Britain and Ireland and the United States, and The Curtis Cup which took place in 2012.
Mills says Nairn being awarded the women’s amateur championship will not only help strengthen Nairn as a golf destination, but all of the Highlands too.
He said: “Along with other golf clubs, we play a significant part in bringing golf tourism to the area.
“This will help to continue highlighting the Highlands as a great destination for elite golf.
“We are delighted and excited and looking forward to showcasing Nairn at its best.”
The championship is contested in two phases. It begins with a 36-hole stroke play competition, played over two days. The leading 64 competitors progress to the knock-out match play competition, ties for 64th place being decided by countback.
The final of the competition will be played over 36 holes.
The winner gains entry to the AIG Women’s Open, US Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship, Chevron Championship and by tradition, an invite to compete at Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship.
Chiara Horder from Germany is the defending women’s amateur champion after winning the title last year when she defeated Annabelle Pancake of the United States 7&6 at Princes’ Golf Club in Kent.
Speaking about being awarded the women’s amateur championship, Mills said: “It continues our long history of hosting elite amateur events.
“It comes at a nice time as our club captain is Joanna Macdonald who is the first woman to be captain of the club.
“We have a high standard of golf course and our members will be asked to assist as volunteers during the tournament. We will be putting some final polishes to the course in time for the event.
“We would hope that local people will support it.”