Christel Boeljon repeated as champion on the tight fairways of National Golf Club at last weekend’s 2012 Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.  The dutch golfing superstar nearly led from start to finish at the tournament, her 2nd win of the year on the Ladies European Tour.

link:  tournament photos from the 2012 Turkish Airlines Ladies Open

Christel has been playing injured for much of the early portion of 2012 season, having strained muscles in the shoulder/neck area. Insiders expect that after a couple of weeks off (she is skipping Germany), the LET Order of Merit leader will be looking for a strong performance at the 2012 Deloitte Dutch Ladies Open.

Interestingly, we ran into several dutch fans who now make an annual trip to Belek for the Turkish tournament.  2012 was their 3rd year in a row.  Great that they’ve been able to see dutch wins for the past two.  And highlights for us the growing interest in womens golf, as we’ve seen a similar trend at other events.  Host resorts should jump on the opportunity & create packages catering to the fans/supporters who want to travel to these tournaments.

• Pamela Pretswell earned a great win this week on the LET Access Series/Nordea Tour tournament the 2012 Ljungbyhed Park PGA Ladies Open.  The scottish amateur shot a final round 67 to take the title in Sweden.
• Thrilling finish for Clara Baena at this weeks Banesto Golf Tour event near Madrid.  The 17 year old amateur won the event on the first playoff hole competing against fellow spaniard Adriana Zwanck.
• Charley Hull finished as the top amateur at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.  No doubt that Tegwen Matthews must be smiling, given the results from Hull & Pretswell this week.  The GB&I Curtis Cup team looks like they are gearing up for the competition.
• Nice story in WalesOnline about former tour pro Breanne Loucks, who is looking to start competing again this summer on the newly formed United Ladies Pro Tour.  Spoke with her in Turkey – she seems to have the hunger back to compete.  I think the caddie experience (on the bag for Australia’s Frances Bondad) has served her well.
• Great day yesterday for Michelle Wie.  Two holes in ones in the same round at the Sybase Championship.  Granted it’s a par 3 course, but still…..  I know I’d take it.
• Well-written piece by Ray Matthew on membership for women at Augusta National.  He speaks of Stina Sternberg’s coverage of Tim Finchem’s Augusta response.  I think Stina hit the nail on the head with this one.  If the industry is to grow, golf must focus on inclusion and eradicate the common perception that the sport is elitist/exclusive.  To be honest, I was even more disappointed with Mike Whan’s recent comments about potentially holding an LPGA event at Augusta “As the commissioner of the LPGA, I think Augusta should have a women’s tournament. I don’t care if they have female members.”  I think Mike has done a good job so far revitalising the LPGA, but as the head of the country’s top female tour he needs to rethink his position on this one.

more photos: the 2012 Turkish Airlines Ladies Open

 

Best wishes to everyone for a great weekend.