MOTORISTS are being urged to avoid the A198 for the duration of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club next week.

More than 50,000 golf fans are expected to descend on the village as the tournament returns for the second time in four years.

Tournament organisers have confirmed that the A198, which runs through the course – will remain open, as it did in 2015.

Again there will be no public car parking for those attending the golf – a free park and ride service will be on offer from Muirfield Fields, east of Gullane.

There will be a ‘shoppers car park’ – with a maximum stay of an hour – at the north end of East Links Road to facilitate “everyday access” to the village.

Temporary traffic signals will be in place at the junction of West Links Road and Main Street.

For those travelling by train, a free shuttle bus service from East Coast Buses will also be in operation from North Berwick Railway Station.

Organisers are also warning anyone not attending the tournament that they should avoid using the A198, particularly around Gullane, during the championships, which tee off next Thursday (July 12) and last until next Sunday (July 15).

Rory Colville, the Scottish Open championship director, said: “We have once again adopted the successful plan from our last tournament here in 2015 to make the journey to the course as smooth as possible for travelling fans and minimise disruption for local residents.

“We would encourage travelling fans to follow our guidance to make their own journey as simple as possible and assist the local community.”

Councillor John McMillan, Provost for East Lothian and the council spokesperson for economic development and tourism, said: “Obviously we want as many visitors as possible to come and enjoy the amazing golf that will be played at Gullane during the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

“Our sustainable transport plan for spectators worked extremely well last time we hosted the event, so I hope many people will once again take advantage of the very convenient options available and choose to leave the car at home.

“These options also give visitors the chance to linger in Gullane, enjoy a warm local welcome and sample some of the local hospitality.”

The return of the Scottish Open to East Lothian has been estimated to be worth more than £2.5 million to the local economy.

Some of the world’s top golfers, including five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson, Olympic champion Justin Rose, former Open champion Henrik Stenson and American Rickie Fowler – the winner when the championships debuted at Gullane in 2015 – are among the field for the Scottish Open, a £5.5 million Rolex Series event.

For more details and to buy tickets, visit asiscottishopen.com

See next week’s Courier for a special 12-page pull-out on the Championship.