Portuguese dreams of a home win this week rest on young shoulders. Ines Belchior, a two-time national champion hopes to hold her own against the professionals at this week’s Super Bock Ladies Open at Vidago Palace Golf.
Belchior impressed back in February on the LET, when she took advantage of an FPG invitation to make the cut at the 28th edition of the Lalla Meryem Cup in Rabat.
It was only the fourth time in history a Portuguese player made the cut in an LET tournament.
Speaking ahead of this week, Belchior said: “It’s really exciting because here in Portugal we don’t have a lot of girls playing. So these types of events could attract a lot of girls to start playing and to develop their love and their passion for the sports.
“Yet for me at least, it’s a great opportunity to compete against girls on a higher level than me.”
Vidago Palace Golf has earned itself a new fan in Belchior.
“It’s actually my first time here. I think it’s a really good course with great conditions. The greens are really good and quick enough to play.
“The most important goal is to pass the cut. I think that would be a good start in my first LETAS event. I want to find the great spots on the fairways and on the greens to shoot low scores.”
The 18-year-old has plenty of support this week from the national team and the Portuguese federation as well as advice from Portuguese professional Susana Ribeiro.
“I’m here with the Portuguese team. We are four amateur girls playing for the team and then we have another former Tour player, Susana, a great player and I think she will help us a lot with the feelings and how to deal with pressure because she passed through these moments a lot of times in her career.
“We are supported heavily too by the Portuguese Federation.”
Aside from the competition, Belchior is most excited to learn from the professionals she plays with and get one step closer to her dream of turning professional.
“I’m going to Mississippi State this year in August which should be a great place to improve my golf.
“After that, in 2030, probably I will turn pro. My goals is to play on LET.”
Belchior tees it up at 13:55am Tuesday alongside Ireland’s Canice Screene and Maria Parra.
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