AIG Women's OPen – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

The R&A transforms iconic Scottish locations for AIG Women’s Open

The R&A has continued to build on its “Never Stop Playing” campaign with a new and playful initiative which has seen golf terminology pop-up at iconic Scottish landmarks.

This fresh chapter aims to heighten excitement for the AIG Women’s Open, which is set to take place from 21-25 August, 2024, at the historic Old Course in St Andrews. The latest activation cleverly merges golf with Scotland’s renowned sites, continuing to engage and captivate fans in the lead-up to the Championship.

Highlights

See Birdies

Where: Edinburgh Zoo
What: Adapted plaque at the flamingo exhibit
Copy: “See birds at Edinburgh Zoo. See birdies at the AIG Women’s Open. St Andrews, 21-25 August. Never Stop Playing”
Quiet Please

Where: The National Library, Edinburgh
What: Quiet sign
Copy: “Quiet Please. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

The 19th Hole
- Where: Loch Leven Castle
- What: Makeshift tee box facing into the loch
- Copy: “Hole 19. 596 yards. Par 5. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”
Chip Shots
- Where: Anstruther Fish Bar, St Andrews
- What: Signpost outside
- Copy: “World Class Chips ➡ World Class Chip Shots. ➡ Never Stop Playing. AIGWO

This pop-up initiative follows the recent launch of the world’s first playable golf billboard. Unveiled at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station on 1st August, this interactive billboard allowed fans to experience the thrill of playing the par-3 8th hole of the iconic Old Course at St Andrews, host of this year’s AIG Women’s Open.

Zoe Ridgway, Championship Director of the AIG Women’s Open at The R&A, commented: “Our latest activation is designed to infuse golf with a fresh and engaging twist, transforming iconic Scottish landmarks with golf-themed elements.

“As part of our ‘Never Stop Playing’ campaign, this initiative invites fans to see familiar sites through a new lens, amplifying their excitement and connection to the AIG Women’s Open.

“We’re thrilled to offer both new and long-time golf enthusiasts a unique way to experience the championship and celebrate the sport in a creative and memorable manner.”

Edinburgh Locations:

1. See Birdies

– Where: Edinburgh Zoo

– What: Adapted plaque at the flamingo exhibit

– Copy: “See birds at Edinburgh Zoo. See birdies at the AIG Women’s Open. St Andrews, 21st-25th August. Never Stop Playing”

2. Ground Under Repair

– Where: Victoria Street, Edinburgh

– What: Fly posters on scaffolding/building sites

– Copy: “Ground Under Repair. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

3. Quiet Please

– Where: The National Library, Edinburgh

– What: Quiet sign

– Copy: “Quiet Please. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

4. Heavy Rough

– Where: Carlton Hill

– What: Sign in heavy rough at an iconic location

– Copy: “Very heavy rough, recommended unplayable lie. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

5. Water Hazard

– Where: The Water of Leith Walkway

– What: Water Hazard sign

– Copy: “95 yards to clear the water. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

Fife Locations:

Guerrilla Golf Campaign – Day 1 – 13.08.24 – Raymond Davies

1. The 19th Hole

– Where: Loch Leven Castle

– What: Makeshift tee box facing into the loch

– Copy: “Hole 19. 596 yards. Par 5. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO“

2. Chip Shots

– Where: Anstruther Fish Bar

– What: Signpost outside

– Copy: “Chip Shop ➡ Chip Shots. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO“

With less than a week to go until the AIG Women’s Open, the Old Course at St Andrews, renowned as the home of golf, is set to showcase world-class golf.

Lilia Vu, the reigning champion following her standout performance at Walton Heath last year, returns to defend her title. She’ll be joined by Yuka Saso, Amy Yang, and Ayaka Furue, all of whom have secured major victories this season. Leading the British challenge is Charley Hull, who was the runner-up in last year’s Championship and Scotland’s own Gemma Dryburgh. With these top players in action, the AIG Women’s Open is set to be an unforgettable week.

Tickets to the AIG Women’s Open are on sale via aigwomensopen.com. Adult tickets are available from £25, with Saturday tickets including a full day of golf action and entry to the Tom Grennan concert priced at £60.

To encourage children and young people to attend the AIG Women’s Open, The R&A will continue the successful ‘Kids go Free’ programme on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, which provides children under-16-years-old free entry to the Championship when accompanied by a paying adult. Half-price youth tickets are also available on those days for 16-24-year-olds. Junior and youth tickets for Saturday’s golf action and Tom Grennan concert are £20 and £40 respectively.

Hospitality packages are also on general sale, offering an unrivalled way to experience the Championship in which guests can enjoy over ten hours of world-class action and fully inclusive hospitality. Visit www.aigwomensopen.com for further information.

For information on the AIG Women’s Open or to purchase tickets, please visit www.aigwomensopen.com.

Never Stop Playing: World’s First Playable Golf Billboard Unveiled for the AIG Women’s Open

The R&A has unveiled the world’s first ‘playable golf billboard’ at Edinburgh Waverley Station to allow fans to experience playing the par-3 8th hole of the iconic Old Course in St Andrews, host venue of this year’s AIG Women’s Open.

As part of AIG Women’s Open new ‘Never Stop Playing’ campaign, the activation aims to elevate the excitement of golf for fans. This innovative billboard transforms into a golf simulator, offering an engaging opportunity for both new and longtime fans to connect with the Championship in a fun and interactive way.

The R&A has created this playable billboard to reimagine how golf enthusiasts engage with the sport, while also promoting the upcoming AIG Women’s Open, which will be held at St Andrews from 21 – 25 August 2024.

Fans can step up to the billboard, grab a real club and ball, and take a swing like never before. The technology employs cameras to track the player’s velocity, arc, and direction, digitally encoding the swing in real-time to show where the ball will land on the virtual par-3, 8^th hole.

Players will be captivated as they watch the ball fly across the LED screen, displaying its arc and flight path towards the target.

With a real-time leaderboard tracking nearest to the pin shots, participants can compete in a fun golf challenge. Those nearest to the pin will receive an exciting prize from the AIG Women’s Open: a pair of Sunday tickets and a chance for the winner to be an official walking scorer for one of the groups during the final round at St Andrews.

Not just for avid golfers, those keen to take their first ever golf shot can also win prizes in the furthest from the pin challenge.

Zoe Ridgway, Championship Director of the AIG Women’s Open at The R&A said, “This activation brings the excitement of golf to a whole new level, allowing players to experience the thrill of golf in a fun and interactive way.

“As part of our new ‘Never Stop Playing’ campaign, we are giving both new and longtime fans the opportunity to engage with the AIG Women’s Open like never before, reaching new audiences and enhancing their connection to golf.”

Georgia Hall,2018 Women’s Open champion, said, “This looks like such a fun and innovative concept from The R&A.

“The playable billboard is a brilliant idea to introduce more people to golf and get them excited about the AIG Women’s Open. It’s initiatives like these that will keep our sport growing and evolving.”

Designed to resemble a traditional advertising billboard, this innovative attraction offers a unique and eye-catching experience for golfers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a casual player or a first time golfer, the playable billboard promises a one-of-a-kind experience.

The R&A will compile all the shot tracers from the day’s play onto the billboard screen at once, creating a stunning visual display. This impressive feature highlights the relentless passion and continuous engagement of golfers, showcasing how they ‘Never Stop Playing’.

Tickets to the AIG Women’s Open are now on sale via aigwomensopen.com. Adult tickets are available from £20, with Saturday tickets including a full day of golf action and entry to the Tom Grennan concert priced at £55.

Half-price youth tickets are also available on those days for 16-24-year-olds. Junior and youth tickets for Saturday’s golf action and Tom Grennan concert are £20 and £40 respectively.

Visit www.aigwomensopen.com for further information.

For information on the AIG Women’s Open or to purchase tickets, please visit www.aigwomensopen.com.

‘Human Swan’ visits Carnoustie

● Sacha Dench (The Human Swan) is currently undertaking a World Record attempt as part of the Round Britain Climate Challenge and visited The AIG Women’s Open this week
● Flying around Britain on a journey powered solely by green energy, Sacha will be encouraging people to make their own individual commitments to slow climate change

Together with its partners ekko and HELPFUL, Mastercard has pledged to donate and plant 75,000 trees in support of the Round Britain Climate Challenge, the first ever circumnavigation attempt of mainland Britain with an electric paramotor.

Equating to roughly 25 trees planted for every mile of the trip, the Mastercard pledge made alongside its Priceless Planet Coalition partners is part of the company’s ongoing drive to tackle climate change, encourage sustainability, and equip its network to be a positive force for the environment. Working with Conservation International, trees will be planted in Sacha’s original home country of Australia as well as Kenya and Brazil.

As an official Patron of The AIG Women’s Open and to celebrate the expedition, Mastercard brought Sacha Dench, known as The Human Swan, together with Mastercard ambassador and golf pro Brooke Henderson at Carnoustie Golf Links on Wednesday to highlight how we can come together to battle climate change.

The R&A also partners with Mastercard on sustainable practices. On site at the Championship Course, water stations have been installed as part of The Open Water Initiative.

The initiative was first launched in 2019 during The 148^th Open at Royal Portrush with the aim to remove all single use plastic water bottles at the Championship and has proved successful with 244,000 single-plastic bottles saved collectively in 2019 and 2021 so far at the Mastercard sponsored events.

Carnoustie will be equipped with contactless modules for fans to make voluntary donations of £1.50 to the Priceless Planet Coalition.

Scott Abrahams, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Mastercard UK & Ireland said, “We are proud to pledge 75,000 trees in support of the Round Britain Climate Challenge.

“It is an exciting and pioneering expedition, tackling climate change head-on and crucially raising awareness in the UK. At Mastercard we share the same common goal which includes our Priceless Planet Coalition commitments to restore 100 million trees by 2025. Today is another step towards achieving that goal alongside our fintech and sporting partners, to create a greener, more sustainable planet.”

Sacha Dench, Round Britain Climate Challenge pilot, commented: “Britain drove the Industrial Revolution, can we drive the Green Revolution too? This is one of the questions that the Round Britain Climate Challenge is trying to answer and we all have a part to play.

“I am delighted that Mastercard is undertaking this pledge to plant so many trees – such a vitally important factor in combating the climate emergency – whilst also taking action at events such as The Women’s Open.”

Brooke Henderson, Mastercard ambassador and golf professional, added: “It was great meeting Sacha today to hear more about how we can tackle climate change, not just in the UK but around the world.

“The Women’s Open, and golf more broadly, is an opportunity to raise awareness so I’m pleased to see The R&A and Mastercard taking action to be more sustainable.”

Oli Cook, CEO & Co-Founder of ekko, said: “We’re proud to support Sacha and The Round Britain Climate Challenge with this pledge to donate and plant trees.

“We’re committed to positive change and turning the tide on climate change at ekko and Sacha is doing just that by raising awareness and encouraging climate action.”

Evan Michaels, Co-Founder and CEO of Helpful commented: “We are excited to support Sasha in this great expedition. It aligns perfectly with our mission here at HELPFUL to raise awareness about climate change and sustainable living to millions of people around the country.

“We want to inspire people to consider their shopping choices and along with our pledge to plant 75,000 tree with our partners at Priceless Planet Coalition, we hope to play a small part in creating a healthier planet.”

Sacha Dench, who set off in June, is leading the 3000+ mile journey and world record attempt for the longest ever flight in an electric paramotor. She has been stopping frequently, talking with, filming, and gathering information from industry, innovators and entrepreneurs, local heroes, communities, schools, farmers and individuals – anybody interested in or involved in addressing the effects of climate change in their areas.

A compilation of these stories will be presented at COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November.

Fans at Carnoustie and people across the UK can Start Something Priceless by donating a tree via the Mastercard Priceless Planet page. Mastercard will match every tree donated on this link.