GENEROUS golfers have been on target to help raise £27,000 for East Lothian Foodbank.

The Tranent-based organisation was the official charity of the Ladies Scottish Open, which took place at The Renaissance Club last month.

Part of the fundraising came through a ‘birdie pledge’ initiative, which saw the competition’s sponsors, Aberdeen Standard Investments, donate £5 for every birdie and £10 for every eagle during the tournament.

The world’s top golfers were on the money as they sunk 992 birdies and 14 eagles across the four-day tournament to raise £5,100.

The initiative’s total was combined with donations from tournament host The Renaissance Club, tournament promoter IMG, and the Ladies European Tour and LPGA, as well as online donations from the public.

Candace Higgins, director of East Lothian Foodbank, explained how vital the donations were to the charity, which provides emergency food to people in crisis and feeds more than 6,000 local people each year.

She said: “To have been selected as the official charity of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open in the first place was an unbelievable honour, and now the generosity and support we’ve received from everyone at the event is overwhelming.

“We can’t possibly thank everyone enough for their kindness.”

Stacy Lewis won the tournament after a four-way tie after 72 holes of impressive golf.

She said: “You look at this break we’ve been on and probably the most impacted are the communities we play in.

“So just the fact that we’re able to play, even though fans aren’t here, and use the profile of the event to help the local community is amazing.”

Claire Drummond, head of charitable giving at Aberdeen Standard Investments, was delighted with the amount raised.

She said: “We’ve been proud to support and raise a fantastic amount for a local charity which is helping those most in need at this challenging time.”