The inaugural edition of the € 40,000 Foxconn Czech Ladies Challenge begins tomorrow at the Casa Serana Golf Club in Kutna Hora, in the Czech Republic.
Six events into the LETAS season, Meghan Maclaren has a healthy lead in the Order of Merit over her nearest competitor Valentine Derrey. We caught up with, and her co-players at the Chateau Roztez for the tournament opening party.
Only a year removed from Florida International University, the Englishwoman Maclaren chalked up a win earlier at the LETAS Azores Ladies Open, following that up with a third place finish at the VP Bank Ladies Open. Coming in on the back of a T8 finish at the Elvi Ladies Finnish Open, preparation is the norm.
“I’m just treating this week the same as I would for every tournament, and trying to get the best result. You can’t win the tournament on the first day.
I am going to try and play smart, then we’ll see what happens.”
Countrywoman Charlotte Thompson isn’t too far behind, and at number three on the OOM, is coming off a T2 place finish in Finland apart from top-five finishes earlier in the season at the Azores Ladies and Forget Foundation PGA Championship.
Speaking to the LETAS, she hopes to break through and get her first win as a professional soon. “I’ve been very close a few times – but never actually got over the line so I’d say that’s my goal at the moment.”
Sounding confident, Charlotte has enjoyed the golf course so far and is confident of putting up a good show come Thursday.
“I don’t see why not. Lovely weather, lovely golf course. I feel comfortable.”
Fourth on the OOM, is France’s Isabelle Boineau. Winner of the LETAS Jabra Ladies Open this year, she will defend her title at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open winner on the LET later in July.
Boineau feels there is a lot to work on her game, especially her wedge game – but is nevertheless happy with the progress in her game so far. “I think I’m ready for this tournament. Winning the biggest tournament on the LETAS [Jabra Ladies Open] made me very happy”
The course has received rave reviews from players, and the Frenchwoman chips in – “Its not everyday that you play a course this good every week. “
Playing to a yardage of 6,364 meters, the par 71 Casa Serena course is an inland links golf course with undulating greens. Between 2008-2011, it hosted the Casa Serena Open on the European Senior Tour.
The Foxconn Czech Ladies Challenge will be played between the 22nd and 24th of June 2017.
