I’d like to welcome you to the 2021 abrdn Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club for the 39th staging of this fantastic event. The Scottish Open has gone from strength to strength over the years, and I’m proud and excited to be launching our new abrdn (pronounced aberdeen) brand here as our best ever player field tees it up to play for the abrdn Scottish Open trophy this week
We are thrilled that the event is once again able to open its doors to spectators and I hope you all have a fantastic time as we can once again enjoy live sport. We would like to thank the Scottish Government and their team at VisitScotland, along with the European Tour, for all their hard work in making it happen in a safe and Covid secure way.
We have an incredible field of players this week and a special mention must go to the Scottish contingent who we wish the best of luck. These professionals continue to inspire golfers and sports fans around the world, who will be following the events from The Renaissance Club live on television and across the media.
We take great pride in our efforts to support community, environmental and charitable initiatives at the Scottish Open. This year we look forward to welcoming local heroes who have been nominated to play in our teams in the Pro Am. We have engaged with local school children as part of Making Maths Count, with maths equations featuring on Thursday’s pin flags, and we are fundraising via our ‘Birdie Pledge’ initiative for local respite centre, Leuchie House. The tournament is going from strength to strength with its sustainability initiatives, and we have, once again, offset the carbon impact of all the player and caddy travel to and from the event with an accredited rainforest project in Sierra Leone.
Thanks to those at The Renaissance Club who have worked hard in preparing such a great golf course, and I for one, cannot wait to see the action begin. Thanks also to the essential staff making this happen and to the many fans watching around the world, we appreciate your support and hope you enjoy watching the action unfold.
Good luck to all the players.
Stephen Bird
Chief Executive Officer, abrdn
