Top stars excited about Ladies golf in Abu Dhabi
abu dhabi — Top international players are ‘excited’ as the first Ladies European Tour event to be held in Abu Dhabi — the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open — starts from Wednesday. They are also looking to inspire Emirati women take up the game.
One of the most successful female golfers in history Annika Sorenstam, Ladies European Tour’s 2015 season runner-up Melissa Reid and seasoned professional LET player Beth Allen are all awaiting the start of the four-day tournament at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Guest of Honour Annika Sorenstam is looking forward to holding clinics at schools for local children. “I will try to inspire them to pick up the game and share my experiences with them. You can feel the passion the ladies here have for the game. It’s going to be a great week,” said the legendary figure with 90 international tournament wins.
The Solheim Cup captain won’t
I wear a dual or triple hat this week but as a player I don’t miss that hat Annika Sorenstam
be playing in this tournament but has lots on her hand.
“I wear a dual or triple hat this week but as a player I don’t miss that hat. I, as a captain of the Solheim Cup, will be keeping an eye on the players. I can also meet new players and also be part of LET,” she said at the Press conference on Monday.
Five LET title winner Reid said the course is very ‘close to her heart.’
“I am very honoured to be here. Saadiyat is a place I always come at the start of the year to do boot camps. It’s one of the better courses, if not the best.”
She too is trying to promote the game. “This week is also about making the game more attractive and to inspire local players. If we can get at least one person to take up the game of golf then we have achieved something.”
American Beth Allen said: “It would be great to win here. It’s a great golf course which I played in the morning and I am excited.”
Dr Mai Al Jaber from Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy said the stage is perfectly set to promote Abu Dhabi globally.
“The inaugural event is a landmark. This tournament will bring together the world’s best female golfers and give Emirati ladies the unique chance to meet their favourite stars. They will have the opportunity to observe professional players. This is a golf competition that will inspire more engagement from Emirati women with a goal of catalysing their sporting aspirations.”
Director of sports for Ladies European Tour Davide Lantos said the tournament is very important and one of the biggest event.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council technical affairs director Talal Al Hashemi was confident that the game will attract more Emirati women.