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What a great year to be a fan of women’s golf in Europe.  It seemed like every week delivered yet another thrilling performance.

We were lucky enough to attend about 20 women’s professional golf tournaments during 2011.  While that may seem like quite a lot, we have to say that there were still many tournaments that we missed, where we hope to go in the future – the Slovakian Ladies Open (LET), Lalla Meryem Cup (LET), and Azores Ladies Open (LETAS) just to name a few.

Here are our picks for the best of 2011:

Team Europe's Azahara Munoz on the 7th tee at the 2011 Solheim Cup

Best Team:  Team Europe @ 2011 Solheim Cup

A total come from behind, underdog, what’s-not-to-like performance by Team Europe.  A great introduction to the american supporters to the new wave of young european superstars that will be taking the golf world by storm in the coming years.  Runnerup:  Team Sweden @ European Nations Cup

Diana Luna on the 18th green during the 2011 Ladies German Open

Best Individual Performance:  Diana Luna @ Ladies German Open

Four perfectly executed rounds of golf – not a single bogie.  The lowest four round tournament score (-26) for a women’s pro in 2011.  Performance of the year material in our humble opinion.

Runnersup:  Suzann Petersen @ Irish Ladies Open, Becky Brewerton @ Tenerife Ladies Match Play

Becky Brewerton being awarded the trophy at the 2011 Tenerife Ladies Match Play

Best Match:  Becky Brewerton vs. Laura Davies @ Tenerife Ladies Match Play

Two of the world’s best match-play players in a winner-take-all match.  Complete with come from behind to tie on the 18th and a playoff finish.  Was really a shame someone had to lose.  And no doubt at all that whoever won would take the title in Tenerife.  Well played Becky!

Mel Reid near the 1st tee at the start of the final day at the 2011 Solheim Cup

Player of the Year:  Mel Reid

Twenty-one Ladies European Tour tournaments, twenty-one cuts made.  The only player on the LET to make 100% of the cuts in 2011.  ’Nuff said.  Runnerup:  Caroline Hedwall

Caroline Hedwall at the 2011 Open de Espana Feminino

Rookie of the Year:  Caroline Hedwall

What a sensational year for the rookie from Sweden.  Arguably could be the overall player of the year as well.  We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Caro.  But we think the sky is the limit.

Runnersup:  Klara Spilkova, Rachel Jennings, Stacey Keating

Matt Cooper on the 17th fairway at the 2011 LETAS Ladies Open

Best Golf Journalist:  Matt Cooper

Matt’s unique writing syle, deep insights, and commitment to covering the women’s tours here in Europe make him a deserving recipient of the honor this year.  Writing, tweeting, caddying – Matt really does it all while maintaining true journalistic integrity.  Our favorite was his coverage of the Solheim.

The clubhouse at Golf Las Americas, host of the 2011 Tenerife Ladies Match Play

Best Host Course:  Golf Las Americas

Challenging layout, quick greens, gorgeous bougainvillea.  Totally committed to ensuring a successful tournament during the Tenerife Ladies Match Play, management was always on hand and ensuring a great payer & fan experience at the event.  Voted as the 2011 top course in Spain in a recent survey.

We had a view from the inside, since Poodle was the clothing sponsor at the tournament.  Five star all the way in our opinion.

The champions Team Sweden (Anna Nordqvist & Sophie Gustason) with Deportes en Business with the trophy at the 2011 European Nations Cup

Best Tournament (other than Solheim):  European Nations Cup

We simply love the country/team concept of this tournament.  Possibly the favorite tournament of the year for many of the players.  The organizers really make it special for everyone.  In a word – superb.

French amateur Eva Saulnier teeing off from the 7th during the 2011 Dinard Ladies Open

Top Womens Golf Sponsors:  Banesto, Nordea & Generali

These three financial services companies are at the top of our sponsor table due to their support of the professional womens developmental tours here in Europe.  Well done to all three for their support of womens golf.  It is our big hope that Banesto & Nordea will join their separate tours (as Generali has done) with the LET Access Series to create a very-strong, well-supported and Europe-wide developmental tour.

 Special mentions

• Our congratulations to all of the players on the LET and LET Access Series for a fantastic & memorable 2011.
• Big thanks to the Poodle pro’s:  Becky Brewerton, Tiffany Tavee, Ana Kostina, Frederique Seeholzer, Nathalie David-Mila, and Corisande Lee.  Very proud of each one of them this year !
• A shout out to all of our friends in Tenerife and everyone that was involved at either the 2011 Tenerife Ladies Match Play or the 2010 Tenerife Ladies Open.  The island has been a great supporter of womens golf.
• Thanks to everyone who follows Poodle and/or DogLeg on Twitter & Facebook.

Lots of great performances to pick from, but those are our favorites.  What are yours?  Comment away people!