Ladies European Tour golfers and media gathered at Buckinghamshire Golf Club on Thursday to launch the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters at the home of the LET.
Rookie professionals Charley Hull, Emily Taylor and Holly Clyburn, rising stars Henni Zuel, Charlotte Ellis, Liz Young and Holly Aitchison and Europe’s victorious Solheim Cup Captain Alison Nicholas had the opportunity to play the magnificent golf course alongside a wide variety of media professionals in perfect, sunny weather.
The biggest women’s golf tournament in England and Wales takes place at Buckinghamshire Golf Club on July 26-28, launching the LET’s exciting summer. The players are relishing the opportunity to play at home, but particularly Zuel, who finished third at the venue last year.
“I really can’t wait for the tournament: it’s going to be brilliant. I was really hoping it would be here this year,” said Zuel, who lives in Esher, Surrey. “For me it’s perfect because it’s only half an hour from my house so a lot of home support. The course was just in such great condition and I’m looking forward to coming back and playing. I played nicely and I’m looking forward to coming back and trying to re-create that.”
Hull was equally excited and said: “It would be great to win on home turf, wouldn’t it? I like to play a Pro Am before the tournament because it gives you that little bit more, extra feel of the golf course and you meet new people. I came 17th here (last year). I played good; it was really fun. I played with Carly Booth and Melissa Reid the first two rounds.”
Fellow teenager Taylor was also savouring the prospect of playing ‘at home’ and said: “I think it will be a good atmosphere for the English players, because it’s not often that you get a home tournament, so I think it will bring a good buzz and hopefully a lot of spectators.”
Meanwhile, like the other golf and media professionals, Liz Young, Charlotte Ellis and Holly Aitchison rated the course highly. Ellis, from Cheltenham, said: “I really like the golf course. It really suits my eye, its well set-up and the condition is always fantastic. It’s always a pleasure to come here and play.”
Aitchison said: “It’s in fantastic condition again. I don’t think I’ve ever played this course when it hasn’t been in great condition. As I’ve said before today, it’s a great test of golf; it’s fair and I’ve always really enjoyed playing here.”
Meanwhile, Young commented: “I thought the Buckinghamshire Golf Club was in fantastic condition and the weather is only going to get better so for July is going to be fantastic. Hopefully I’ll get up here a couple more times before July to play it again.”
With a Pro-Am taking place on Thursday, July 25 before the three tournament rounds, a superb week of fun and entertainment for all the family will be on offer at the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters, in a unique, garden party style atmosphere.
Advance season tickets are available for just £10, so pre-register now at www.ladieseuropeanmasters.com to avoid missing out!
Buckinghamshire Golf Club has excellent road and rail links to most of the UK, located just inside the M25, off junction one of the M40 and close to the M3 and M4. Denham Train Station, which is literally next to the golf course, is 25 minutes from Marylebone Station in central London by train.