Ladies’ game can bloom, thanks to the Roses’ help
Gemma Dryburgh doesn’t know where and when her next 72-hole tournament will take place.
So the Aberdeen golfer can’t wait to play this Wednesday in the first of seven one-day events in England that will make up the Rose Ladies Series. Dryburgh will compete against the likes of Dame Laura Davies and Georgia Hall, the 2018 Women’s British Open winner, at Brockenhurst Manor in Hampshire. Luckily, Gemma, who turned 27 last Thursday, is based down in Beaconsfield in Berkshire and this news has come at just the right time.
“I can’t wait to get back competing,” she told The Sunday Post. “That’s our job – to compete against each other.
“It’s so different to just going out and playing. I’ve been on the course most days since golf has been allowed, but this news has sharpened my focus.
“I saw my coach for the first time last week and he’s given me a few things to work on. Before that, it was difficult not having a fixed date to plan for.” The event at Brockenhurst was the brainchild of Ladies European Tour pro, Liz Young, to give competitive golf with no Tour return in sight. Having read about this, Justin Rose and his wife, Kate, stepped up to provide £35,000 in sponsorship to create seven events around England in June and July, and give a welcome financial and morale boost.
“It’s fantastic news to see a high-profile player like Justin get involved,” said Dryburgh. “There has been a great reaction on social media to what he’s done. I hope it sparks other male golfers to help us. I don’t see why they can’t.
“The event is also going to be on Sky Sports, so that’s a great platform for us, and just what we need.” Dryburgh intends to play in the first four events of the series, including a date at Royal St George’s – the venue for this year’s Open Championship until it was postponed – while she waits to find out what happens with the two main tours in the women’s game.
While the men’s PGA Tour is back in action at Colonial, and the European Tour is aiming for the British Masters at Close House on July 22, there is more uncertainty for the women.
The LPGA Tour is currently scheduled to return on July 23, but such is her status, Dryburgh is unsure when she will gain a spot.
The Ladies Scottish Open
Former US Open champion
and Ryder Cup star Justin Rose has ridden to the rescue of the women’s game in
the UK
at the Renaissance Club, and the Women’s British Open in successive weeks in August, are the earliest return dates for the LET. But as co-sanctioned events with the LPGA, it is again a case of wait-and-see for Gemma, despite being fourth in the Order of Merit. “The Tours have kept us informed. But it is hard to get a fixed answer,” she explained. “There are so many ifs, buts and maybes.
“It’s a difficult time for the sport. Our sponsors really enjoy the fan aspect of events on site, because the coverage isn’t as good in the media. “I just hope the pandemic doesn’t hurt us as much as you fear.”
When she is back on Tour, Dryburgh’s driving ambition is to play in the Solheim Cup. Her appetite was whetted by being a spectator for all three days at Gleneagles last September as Catriona Matthew’s European team secured a final-day win.
She added: “It was the best event I’ve experienced. “Being there, and knowing most of the girls, made my ultimate goal of playing in it feel more real.
“It was so good for women’s golf. So it would be a shame if what happens this summer means they cannot build on that.”