The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Women tee-off under blue Fife skies
A glorious day of golf opened the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns Links yesterday.
Grey clouds kept their distance from the Fife fairways for most, treating thousands of spectators to a first round played under blue skies.
Until the heavens opened midafternoon, brollies were set aside for sunglasses as crowds basked in the sunshine watching some of the world’s best female golfers, including several Scots, in action.
Fans were delighted by a stunning finish by Michelle Wie, as she set a women’s course record of 64, -8.
Autograph hunters queued up to meet the American and have their photograph taken with her, as she came off the course having taken an early lead on the first day of the tournament.
Wie said she enjoyed her round at the links course and praised its unique vistas.
There was also plenty of support for several Scots women competing, including Carly Booth, of Comrie, in Perthshire, who finished on 76.
Champion in 2009, Catriona Matthew, of North Berwick, also finished on 76.
Just before play was suspended England’s Charley Hull scored an impressive eagle on the 11th hole.
The tournament, which concludes on Sunday, is being played at Kingsbarns for the first time.
Attracting international and local visitors, it is expected to provide a significant boost to the area’s tourism economy.
Meanwhile, young golfers are preparing to tee up at a nearby Fife course.
Crail Golfing Society will host the Loretto School Scottish Boys and Girls U14 Open Championship on August 13 and 14.
Players will come from across the world, including South Africa, Hungary, France, Germany, Italy and Portugal.
Among the competitors on the Craighead course will be Crail’s own Anna McKay, who became the Fife women’s county champion earlier this year aged only 13.
Pam Smith, captain of Crail Golfing Society, said: “The club is looking forward to hosting the championship for the first time and welcoming talented young players from across the world to Crail, which I’m sure will provide a great and very enjoyable challenge.”