England’s Billie-Jo Smith was voted players’ player of the year to become the inaugural recipient of the award.
The award was given to a player who performed at the highest standard on and off the course, showed outstanding levels of sportsmanship and served as a great ambassador for the tour.
A hotly contested award, Smith received the largest amount of nominations and deservedly so after her fantastic season.
The LETAS graduate racked up nine top 10 finishes, including finishing the season with three runner ups, after losing three consecutive play offs.
Yet Smith showed excellent sportsmanship, grace and humility despite the setbacks, knowing it was part of the larger picture to achieve her main goal; a 2025 LET card.
Speaking about what it meant to win the award, Smith said: “I wasn’t expecting it. A couple of people did say they would vote for me, so it just feels amazing to have the players’ support.
“Obviously I’ve not quite got it over the line this year but to have everyone’s support has just been amazing.”
2024 was Billie-Jo Smith’s comeback year and she completed it successfully.
At the start of 2023, Smith elected to have a minor operation to reduce a malformation in her calf muscle.
The surgery would mean a later start to the season but would hopefully guarantee pain-free golf.
Yet disaster struck when another injury later in the season de-railed her chance to compete on tour.
Undeterred, Smith started the 2024 season off strong by posting five consecutive top 10 finishes and won a Rose Ladies series event at Formby Golf Club.
Heartbreakingly the Englishwoman lost three back-to-back playoffs to finish the season but knew it was part of the longer game.
“I just want to say a big thanks to everyone who nominated me, I finally got my win! It just feels like a big win to get the award.”
Smith now has a long winter break before she tees it up on the bigger stage and we are so excited to see what’s in store.
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