CARLY FROST  Editor  Ladies Golf Today

Carly's blog - news and views on the world of ladies' golf
October 30, 2012

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Attention all girls who want to get into golf...

My former Home Club Burhill is running a fantastic free Girls Golf Day on Sunday 18th November. The day runs from 10am to 2.30pm and is open to girls aged 11-15 years old. It is designed for beginners who are interested in experiencing golf for the first time.

There will be free golf tuition with Burhill coaches, the girls will meet current Burhill Junior girl members, enjoy a complementary lunch in "The Green", play on the New Course, and take home a goodie bag.

The average number of girl members in British golf clubs is one. Burhill Golf Club has 11 girls aged 10-17, with handicaps 2-54. With at least one of the club's girls hoping to turn Professional, and 100 boys regularly playing competitive golf, the club is keen to encourage more girls to take up golf.

After a year's membership, all Burhill girl members join the club's Junior Development Programme (funded and supported by Burhill members) which offers free group lessons solely for the girls.

Burhill also offers all Juniors fortnightly qualifying competitions at weekends during term time, and on weekdays during the holidays. Girls play in league matches and friendly team matches against local clubs, and enjoy various fun events throughout the year (Texas scramble, cross country, parent and junior, mentor and junior girls etc). The girls attend local schools, and play regularly - others sports permitting.  Where appropriate they compete in Surrey Girls Golf events.

Burhill has two courses, an excellent short game practice area, a driving range and members' practice area. Local schools take advantage of the club's facilities and offer golf as an after-school activity, or bring Juniors to play at Burhill as an alternative to winter or summer team sports.
Golf is ideal as a Duke of Edinburgh Silver or Gold Sport as it can be played all year. For more information, or to confirm your attendance, please email annette@burhilljuniors.org

NEWS

England's Georgia Hall is European No. 1  

England international Georgia Hall is Europe's number one woman amateur golfer for 2012.  

Georgia, who is the British girls' champion, is the first English player to top the table since the Ladies' European Amateur Ranking began in 2005. The runner-up was another England 16-year-old, Charley Hull, and third place went to Ireland's Stephanie Meadow.  

The rankings reflect the position of European players in the Women's World Amateur Rankings, where Georgia is currently fourth and Charley eighth.  

"It's amazing, really good! I'm very happy," said Georgia, 16, from Remedy Oak in Dorset. "I just focussed on my competitions and tried to do well in them."

As well as winning the British girls' title, Georgia was a semi-finalist in the British women's amateur and in the French lady junior championships. She was co-leader in qualifying at the European girls' team championship with a 36-hole score of 11-under par.  

In addition, she won the Critchley Salver, the Hampshire Rose and the Roehampton Gold Cup. Georgia was also runner-up in the English women's amateur, helped England win the 2012 women's and girls' Home Internationals and represented England in the women's World Amateur Team Championship.

Her playing season has finished for 2012 and she's concentrating on school work, gym work and preparation for next year, when she aims to do even better with her golf.  

"It will be hard but there are lots of things I know I could improve, which is good. I just try and improve bit by bit each year and, by doing that, hopefully everything will be ok," she said. Georgia's wish-list for next year includes a debut appearance in a Tour event to extend her experience.

Janice Moodie to captain the European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team

Scotland's Janice Moodie has accepted the role of Captain to the European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team for 2013 in Colorado.

"It is such an honour to Captain the PING Junior Solheim Cup team for 2013," said Moodie. "The golfing talent of these girls is of such high standard that I can't wait for the matches to begin and for them to be inspired to one day play on the European Solheim team. But the main goal is to create lasting friendships that span the globe, like I have been so fortunate to do."

The PING Junior Solheim Cup biennially features the 12 best female junior golfers (born 1995 and later) from Europe against the top 12 best female junior golfers from the United States, and will be held in August 2013 at The Inverness Hotel & Golf Club in Denver, Colorado. 

The event will be played on Tuesday 13 th   and Wednesday 14 th   August during Solheim Cup week, just 20 minutes from Colorado Golf Club, The Solheim Cup venue.

Once the   PING Junior Solheim Cup has concluded the talented juniors will have the opportunity to meet the 2013 team members and watch The Solheim Cup which will serve as wonderful inspiration and help to prepare them for their future careers.

PING is the founder, owner and title sponsor of the PING Junior Solheim Cup and the event will be operated by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) with assistance from the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

"Janice is a wonderful selection as Captain of the European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team," said John A. Solheim, CEO and President of PING.   "Janice has a wealth of experience at all levels, from San Jose State University, to the LET and the LPGA and to multiple Solheim Cup events.  She will be able to bring those experiences to the Captaincy and be a wonderful example for the young women of the European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team."

Alexandra Armas, Executive Director of the Ladies European Tour, said: "We at the Ladies European Tour are truly delighted that Janice as accepted the role of Captain for the European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team. This will be an incredible experience both for Janice and the elite junior players, who will no doubt have a fantastic time and be inspired by one of Europe's greatest Solheim Cup players."

Moodie represented Europe three times as a Solheim Cup player in   2000, 2003 and 2009. She secured two official victories on the LPGA at the 2000 ShopRite LPGA Classic and the 2002 Asahi Ryokuken International Championship, as well as two non official victories in the Hyundai Team Matches with Lorie Kane.

The 2013 event will mark the seventh PING Junior Solheim Cup, with the U.S. Team leading the all-time series, 3-2-1. In 2011, Team USA forced a 12-12 tie and retained the cup at Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort in Trim, County Meath, Ireland, becoming the first team to capture the Cup on foreign soil.

In its history, the PING Junior Solheim Cup has established a reputation for showcasing the world's up-and-coming female junior golfers.   Past European   PING Junior Solheim Cup   players that graduated to compete in The 2011 Solheim Cup in Ireland are Melissa Reid, Anna Nordqvist, Caroline Hedwall, and Azahara   Muñoz. Meanwhile Paula Creamer, Vicky Hurst, Brittany Lang, Brittany Lincicome and Morgan Pressel have all represented the USA in both tournaments.

Kathy Whitworth, Captain of the first two U.S. Solheim Cup Teams and an LPGA Hall of Famer, will lead the United States PING Junior Solheim Cup Team in 2013.

For more information about the PING Junior Solheim Cup and The Solheim Cup visit   www.solheimcupeurope.com   and   www.ladieseuropeantour.com

Ecco announced as Official 2013 European Solheim Cup Team Supplier

The Danish golf footwear brand Ecco will once again support The 2013 European Solheim Cup Team. Ecco's involvement extends back to 2005 and they have been a keen supporter of Team Europe ever since:
"ECCO is delighted to be footwear supplier to The 2013 European Solheim Cup Team for the 4 th   time. This biennial match between Europe and US has become one of the true highlights of ladies golf and this prestigious event is a tribute to the game of golf and we look forward to next year's match in Colorado. ECCO will supply the ultimate walking comfort and swing stability to the European Team in order to perform their best in their efforts to bring back the Solheim Cup to Europe. We wish the European Team all the best of luck at The 2013 Solheim Cup" says Jesper Thuen - Global Marking Manager ECCO Golf.

Ecco will supply shoes for players, caddies and team helpers to ensure that once again Team Europe will be best prepared when they land in the US in their attempt to retain The Cup and win on US soil for the first time in the history of the event.

 "We are truly delighted that Ecco will once again support Team Europe and be part of the family of sponsors and suppliers that will service the team. It is exceptionally important that we have this support especially for an away match in the US, where it is crucial that we have as strong European group as possible travelling over to Colorado Golf Club next August. We thank Ecco for their continued commitment" stated Marc Anderman European Solheim Cup Manager.

For more information, contact:   www.ecco.com or   www.solheimcup.com

TRIED & TESTED

Pinnacle Bling golf balls

'Add some colour to your game!'

Info: www.pinnaclegolf.com

Price: £14 a dozen

They say: Golfers who depend on the powerful distance and sharp short-game control of Pinnacle golf balls now have the chance to stand out from the crowd by teeing up a brighter, bolder style of the new Pinnacle Bling golf balls.

Each dozen of Pinnacle Bling golf balls features four different High Optix colours - orange, yellow, pink and violet - whilst still providing the same excellent performance benefits that define the Pinnacle golf ball family. Key performance features include long distance with a consistent ball flight for better carry, whilst maintaining a soft feel on all shots.

I say: You certainly can't fault the Pinnacle Bling golf ball for clear visibility. The bold colours stand out brilliantly against the green grass on the course, which is especially helpful if you are hunting for your ball in the rough. I definitely found them easier to spot than a traditional white golf ball. This is a great golf ball for this time of year because it flies that little bit farther which helps make up for the lack of run on soft fairways. I wasn't convinced about the feel, it was a little bit too 'clicky' but that does help you get your putts up to the hole when the greens are slow.

NEW GEAR

Christmas is coming!...

PING Collection, golf's leading technological clothing manufacturer, have invented the golfer's perfect Christmas package.

The brand's gift sets offer golfers a colour co-ordinated, bespoke, beautifully designed match compromising of polo-shirt and jumper, each hand-picked specifically to complement the other.

The sets are packaged and framed in a beautifully designed branded box, with a sleek magnetic opening.

The first, entitled Medlock , features an attractive colour combination of smoke marl in the sweater and burnt orange in the polo. The sweater's formation, as expected, does not waver from the company's ethos of using the best performing fabrics available.

The sweater, custom made for the winter season, is structured from 80% cotton/20% Merino, while the 100% cotton polo features tipping at the collar and PING embroidery on the chest. PING Collection's alternative box-set offering is called Abney . Concentrating on an attractive amethyst/grey marl colour story, the gift box includes a sweater fronted by an aesthetically pleasing intarsia design. This combines with a slick black polo that features a three button placket and subtle PING embroidery to collar & neck, to form a desirable combination perfect for the winter season.

Abney's sweater also benefits from PING Collection's trademark cotton/Merino hybrid, while the included polo is shaped from performance cotton.

Both box sets are available now in sizes S-XXL. All items are machine washable. Suggested retail price:
Abney - £70, Medlock - £60
For more information on PING Collection please go to www.pingcollection.co.uk . Or call +44 (0) 161 367 5400.

TRAVEL

Book a golfing break to Brazil

If you are yearning for the next Olympics after such an amazing summer of sport in London then you might want to start thinking ahead to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and book a golfing trip to Brazil.
The games here will see golf included as an Olympic sport for the first time in 112 years. The organisers expect around 30 countries to compete for the golf medals in both men's and women's events. Athletes will participate in a 72-hole individual competition held over four days. The gold medal will be won by whoever completes the course with the lowest number of strokes (stroke play). In the event of a tie, a three-hole playoff will be held to determine the medal winner. 

Brazil is a fantastic golf destination with 130 courses spread throughout the country, making it one of the world's leading golfing destinations. From the North to the South, golf courses offer a range of options for tourists. For 2016, a special golf course is being created for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Based in Barra da Tijuca, the 18-hole golf course is being designed by Hanse Golf Course Design and is costing £18.6 million! After the Games, the course will be open to visitors.

The south east region, which has traditionally been the golfing hub within Brazil, has the largest number of golf courses, each with its own individual characteristics. Here are a few golf courses you might want to visit in Rio de Janeiro:

* São Paulo Golf Club ( www.spgc.com.br ) - the first and oldest course in Brazil.

* Gávea Golf and Country Club ( www.gaveagolf.com.br ) - based in São Conrado (small luxury neighborhood) close to the Pedra da Gávea (850 meter high rock towering over the area) and right next to the São Conrado beach.

* Itanhangá Golf Club ( www.itanhanga.com.br ) - based in Barra da Tijuca (rapidly developing district with lively and stylish nightclubs and bars) on the other side of the Pedra da Gávea, ensuring another great view of the mountain, and about 10 minutes from Barra da Tijuca beach.

The north-east region of Brazil is famous for its beautiful beaches, however, the good quality golf courses are now rivalling these. Bahia State, for example, offers golf courses in luxury hotel complexes in Costa do Sauípe ( www.costadosauipe.com.br ), Trancoso ( www.villasdetrancoso.com ), Praia do Forte ( www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/salvador-de-bahia/iberostar-praia-do-forte ) and Ilha de Comandatuba ( www.transamerica.com.br/br/ilhadecomandatuba ).

Golf dates back to the 15th century and featured in the Paris Olympic Games in 1900 and in Saint Louis in 1904. For the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, players will have to be the highest in the rankings of their respective countries. The 15 highest ranked players in the world rankings will be guaranteed a place in the competition. 
For more information on tourism in Brazil visit:   visitbrasil.com

CARNOUSTIE COUNTRY CLASSIC 2013 - A FABULOUS GOLFING BREAK

Entries are now open for the ever-popular Carnoustie Country Classic, a great value, highly-enjoyable five day golf tournament which features four of the top Carnoustie Country courses, including the famous Open venue, Carnoustie Championship.

The Carnoustie Country Classic takes place from 12 - 16 May, 2013, and offers golfers the opportunity to compete in a 72-hole stableford competition on four of the world's classic links courses, stay in a four star hotel for five nights B&B and enjoy a gala prizegiving dinner - for the very reasonable price of only £599.

"It's no wonder this tournament is so popular with golfers across the UK and beyond," said Bill Miller, chairman of Monifieth Golf Links, which will be hosting the Monifieth Medal round of the tournament. "The Carnoustie Country Classic offers a fabulous combination of great golf, daily individual prizes at each venue as well as the Gents, Ladies and Over-65's championships, first class accommodation and fabulous social events, including a welcome reception and a quiz night.

"In addition, Carnoustie Country is easy to get to, with a good road and rail network, and approximately 12 miles from the nearest airport, Dundee, and less than two hours from Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen airport."
Having previously been based in Montrose, the Carnoustie Country Classic moved to the town of Carnoustie in 2012. "As the tournament is now centred in the heart of Carnoustie Country, competitors who choose the stay and play option are accommodated in the iconic, four-star Carnoustie Golf Hotel which boasts fabulous views across Carnoustie Championship, with travel provided to the other three courses, which are all nearby," said Bill.

Now in its tenth year, golfers travel from across the globe to compete in the Carnoustie Country Classic. Thomas Hoess from Germany has already booked his place in the 2013 event - which will be his fifth visit.
"The Carnoustie Country Classic is a good way to play great links courses," said Thomas. "The first time I played on the Championship course, it was a dream come true, even though I didn't play very well! It's also a very friendly tournament - and a wonderful test of golfing skills."

Carnoustie Country golf spokesperson, Cllr Mairi Evans, explained that, as well as providing golfers with the chance to play on four first class links courses, the tournament is a highly-effective showcase for all Carnoustie Country's golf courses. "Staying in Carnoustie Country for five nights provides golfers with opportunities to explore this prime golfing area - and make plans for return visits," said Cllr Evans. "And, with thirty courses within a forty minute drive of Carnoustie Championship, where the Carnoustie Country Classic competitors are based, there's ample choice for any golfers who fancy an extra game of golf or two!"

Entries are open to men and women golfers, with a maximum handicap of 24 (men) and 36 (ladies). Packages are also available for golf and social events only (£399) and for accompanying non-golfers (accommodation and social events only, £329), who have a wonderful choice of activities, including excellent shopping, sighting seeing, museums, historical buildings, outdoor activities, restaurants and theatres.

For more information, or to book, visit   www.carnoustiecountry.com   or call Scotia Travel on 0141 305 5050.

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