Golf: Big chance for top women

Jan 4 2008 by Staff Reporter, Western Mail

THE nation’s top women golfers will be battling it out in 2008 in a bid to claw their way up to the top of the Order of Merit.

The Golf Union of Wales will bring back a Ladies Order of Merit for 2008. It has been introduced by the Golf Union of Wales – the governing body of the amateur game in Wales which saw a merger of the men’s and women’s golfing bodies earlier this year.

Nigel Edwards, director of player development and coaching at Golf Union of Wales, explains how golfers are set to benefit.

“It’s designed to encourage participation and competition. I am confident that this development will further the women’s game in Wales.

“Players will get more experience out of their comfort zone, by regularly pitting themselves against European and world team players, standards should improve across the board.”

The first opportunity for golfers to notch up Order of Merit points is The Formby Leveret, near Liverpool, in April. Another 15 tournaments across Great Britain and Ireland offer the ladies and girls the chance to step up the rankings ladder before the final event – the Ladies European Individual Championship in Austria.

Wrexham’s Breanne Loucks – who won all three of her Curtis Cup matches in 2006 – explains, “I think it’s really exciting to see girls and ladies golf in Wales moving forward. Hopefully this will encourage more Welsh girls and ladies to play in the stronger events – the more experience for them, the better for everyone. Wales need the younger girls and ladies coming through to have a little more experience for events such as the European Team Championship and Home Internationals.”

The rising star, who is once again in the Curtis Cup squad this year, adds, “I’m personally looking forward to it. I now have another goal to work towards next year, and I will be working hard to try and achieve this target.”

Sahra Hassan, 20, from Bridgend, was this summer selected to play in the European Team Championships in Milan. She also earned a spot in the Great Britain and Ireland team for the Vagliano Trophy at St Andrews alongside Loucks – the first time Wales has fielded two players in this team.

The Pencoed talent – who has also played tennis against the Williams sisters – is already looking towards the top of the table.

“My aim is to win the Order of Merit. I think that it will make us all much more focused on certain key tournaments and we’ll all be determined to win them.

“To finish top of my country would be a great honour and achievement.

“I’m confident that it will motivate all of our up-and-coming talents.”

Golf Union of Wales ladies’ order of merit 2008 -–The Formby Leveret 5 April, Tenby Scratch 13 April, Roehampton Scratch Cup 19 April, Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play 25-27 April, Welsh Ladies’ Open Stroke Play 3 -4 May, Welsh Ladies’ Close 18-21 May, Critchley Salver 27 May, St Rule Trophy 25 May, Frilford Heath Scratch Salver 28 May, Astor Salver 4 June, Ladies’ British Open Amateur 11-15 June, Irish Ladies’ Open Stroke Play 28-29 June, Pleasington Putter 6 July, Bridget Jackson Bowl 8 July, British Ladies’ Open Stroke Play 20-22 August, European Ladies’ Individual 26-30 August, Royal Birkdale Ladies’ Scratch Trophy 29 August.