Daisy Nielsen
Stoke by Nayland will again take centre stage when it hosts the WPGA International Challenge for a third successive year.
The Suffolk course will see another strong field of Ladies European Tour hopefuls chasing a €30,000 prize fund at the season climaxing tournament which will be staged from October 8-10.
The 54-hole event is part of the Ladies European Tour Access Series (LETAS) and was launched in 2013 by The PGA to increase support of the women’s game.
England’s Hannah Ralph won the inaugural event in 2013 while Denmark’s Daisy Nielsen edged out France’s Melodie Bourdy in a play-off last year. There is plenty at stake with the top five on the LET Access Series order of merit earning cards on the full tour for 2016.
It will be the only LETAS event to be staged in the UK in 2015 and there will be 96 competitors including 15 WPGA members, comprising winners from the WPGA’s One Day Series and the remaining places secured via a qualifying Order of Merit over the same period.
In a boost for leading amateurs, 15 places have also been earmarked for England Golf, recognising LETAS’s commitment to providing an important link between elite amateur and professional golf.
Di Barnard, tour director of the LET Access Series said: “Stoke by Nayland is a fitting venue to bring the curtain down on what promises to be another exciting season.
“The event receives great support from the PGA and England Golf and is a very important stop on the LETAS schedule, as a large number of the membership hails from the UK.
“Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf & Spa is a fabulous venue and the Gainsborough course at Stoke by Nayland is a wonderful test for the players. We witnessed an exciting season finale last year and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the tournament again in October.”
PGA head of tournaments, Ben Groutage, added: “The Access Series offers an invaluable opportunity for aspiring pros looking to break through to the top level of golf and after the success of the past two years we’re delighted to be returning to Stoke by Nayland. The event is also a high quality playing opportunity to members of the WPGA and this is something that we strive to do.”
Situated on the Suffolk/Essex border, Stoke by Nayland has the experience of staging European Challenge Tour, European Senior Tour and PGA Europro events.
Susanna Rendall, managing director of the family-owned Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to once again be hosting the WPGA International Challenge. We very much look forward to welcoming these talented golfers here from all over the world – and to playing our part in helping to promote women’s international golf.”
Spectator entry to the three day event is free of charge and there is an excellent full day hospitality package available on Friday 9th October for just £40 + VAT. There will also be a pro am on Wednesday, October 7 with a few well known faces amongst the amateurs, including BBC News presenter Naga Munchetty and music personality, Neil Innes.
