TOP amateur women's golfers will be descending on South Ayrshire this weekend.

Players will be travelling from across the globe to Royal Troon which is to host the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship from Friday, April 19 until Sunday, April 21. 

The tournament is open to female amateur golfers of all nationalities and comprises 54 holes of stroke play played over three days. 

The first two rounds will be played on the Royal Troon Portland course with 118 golfers in the field competing for the famous trophy which was first played for in 1973.

After 36 holes, a cut will determine the 60 players and ties who go forward to the final 18 holes on Royal Troon’s Championship course, host venue for the 152nd Open Championship in July.

Defending champion Jasmine Mackintosh will be aiming to hit the right notes again at this week after the Scot claimed a spectacular victory in the competition last year.

The 24-year-old is returning to the same course she won at last year - thanks to a birdie on the first play-off hole against Scotland international team-mate Lorna McClymont.

A busy few months lies ahead for Mackintosh who combines her talent for golf with a passion for music.

While golf will retain Mackintosh’s full focus during her stay in Ayrshire, there is another exciting event on the horizon for the multi-talented Aberdonian.

“I’m releasing an EP soon as part of my college course,” commented Mackintosh who is studying music at North East Scotland College in her hometown.

Ayr Advertiser: Jasmine Mackintosh.

“There will be five of my own songs on the EP. I posted a little clip of one of them recently on my Instagram page as I need to start doing some promotion.

“As well as singing, I play guitar and drums – not all at the same time!

“It can seem a weird combination – golf, music and being in a band.

“As a little girl I loved singing, but I’ve also played golf since I was eight and I’ve just really enjoyed combining both.

“I’ve been very busy over the last month and it can be difficult balancing practice and college to make sure I don’t fall behind in my work.

“But music and golf are things I love, I’ve always enjoyed both and will continue to do so.”

The 2024 edition of the Helen Holm promises to be another memorable event on the South Ayrshire coast.  

As well as golfers from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales, competitors from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Malta, Sweden and the USA will battle for honours at Troon.

Mackintosh is one of 43 Scots in the field hoping to make it a home winner for the third year on the bounce.

If she is successful, she will become only the third player to successfully defended the title – behind Muriel Thomson in 1976 and current LPGA star Mel Reid in 2007.

“I’m looking forward to playing again in the Helen Holm after last year’s experience,” Mackintosh said.

“It was really special to win at a venue I love playing at and great to do it on what was the 50th anniversary of the championship.

“I had a poor second round last year to slip back and so, on the final day, I was able to play with a bit more freedom.

“I stuck to my process, didn’t worry about what anyone else was doing and was much stronger mentally.”

Updates from the championship will be made available via the Scottish Golf website.