The #AIGWOInvitational

Ahead of the 45th AIG Women’s Open, a star cast of names took to the links for the first ever AIG Women’s Open Invitational at Carnoustie.

The event saw celebrities, digital content creators, junior golfers and competition winners compete in four teams as they played the course in Championship condition, complete with grandstands. Playing a team Texas Scramble, the golfers participated in numerous challenge holes and enjoyed learning about the course as they competed to be crowned the winning team of the inaugural AIG Women’s Open Invitational.

Throughout the day, the players captured content and shared the spectacular venue with their fans, with the hashtag of #AIGWOInvitational featuring some exciting material from start to finish. And although the weather did not smile kindly upon the field, spirits were certainly not dampened, and neither was the chance of drama.

Team four, featuring James Phelps of Harry Potter fame and eight-year-old golfing sensation Leo Boniface, came down the last hole needing a par to tie the clubhouse-leading team one, featuring Iona Stephen and Alex Elliott. And it was Gill Griffiths of team four who drained a 15-foot par-putt to force a play-off.

The two teams moved to the putting green at Carnoustie to determine the winner. Elliott was the first to hole his putt in sudden death, meaning his team, including Stephen, Ilona Stubley and Melody McMahon, were crowned champions of the inaugural event.

But the day was not all about competition, as before competing in the AIG Women’s Open Invitational, the group had lunch and visited the recently rebranded World Golf Museum in St Andrews. There, they had the opportunity to learn more about the game of golf, its origins, and how the sport has developed over the years, including exploring the AIG Women's Open exhibit. With a putting zone at the refurbished museum there were even a few tense putt-offs, perhaps foreshadowing the way the Invitational finished!

The lucky group also managed a visit to the Royal & Ancient Clubhouse balcony, with stunning views across the Old Course. An insight into what it’s like to be a member, they took in the views and watched as people teed off on the first to start a round on the historic course. After their round at Carnoustie, the players enjoyed dinner and shared their memories of the event, memories that will no doubt last a lifetime.

Experience Carnoustie for yourself at the AIG Women’s Open 19th – 22nd August. Tickets are available for the AIG Women's Open here.