Issue 16: February, 2010

Leading Amateurs To Join Europe's Best In Pegasus NZ Open Golf

Former world No.1 Laura Davies

Former world No.1 Laura Davies competing
at the inaugural New Zealand Women's
Open last year.

Organisers are expecting up to 50 European professionals to take part in this month's Pegasus New Zealand Women's Open near Christchurch.

The second New Zealand Women's Open will assume full co-sanction status with the Ladies European Tour and accordingly should attract many of Europe's leading players.

Organisers are hoping that will include former European No 1 Gwladys Nowcera (France) who may return to defend the title she won at Clearwater.

The field for the event on 25-28 February at the new Pegasus course near Christchurch is expected to comprise 136 players with 50 from the LET, 50 from the Australasian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG), eight from the Korea LPGA with the remainder invited amateurs, tournament invitations and qualifiers from the recently formed New Zealand Professional Women's Golf events.

Not only will golf and sports fans be able to see some of the world's best women golfers in action, this provides a clear pathway for our young players if they wish to develop into world-class professionals.

The main amateur invites have been awarded to Cecilia Cho (Auckland), as the current New Zealand Amateur champion, and the next seven players on the New Zealand Golf order of merit. These are Lydia Ko (Pupuke), Zoe Brake (Whakatane), Tania Tare (Titirangi), Emily Perry (Lochiel), Hanee Song (North Shore), Catherine Knight (Timaru) and Jesse Hamilton (Maungakiekie).

The other amateur invitations will be awarded to the Queen Sirikit Cup individual winner, two to Golf Australia elite squad and three general invitations.

"We established the New Zealand Women's Open last year in partnership with our tournament promoters Tuohy Associates as a catalyst to raise the profile of the game for women and provide aspirational opportunities for young New Zealand golfing talent," said New Zealand Golf's Dean Murphy.

"Not only will golf and sports fans be able to see some of the world's best women golfers in action, this provides a clear pathway for our young players if they wish to develop into world-class professionals. We are really pleased that we have been able to provide open qualifying places for any leading amateur to contest. It will be a massive benefit for them to experience playing in such an environment."