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We’re back from an exciting few days at the 2012 Dinard Ladies Open, hosted at Dinard Golf in Saint Briac-sur-mer, France.  Scotland’s Carly Booth won the tournament in exciting fashion with a birdie on the first hole of her playoff with France’s Marion Ricordeau.  Congratulations Carly !

link:  Dinard Ladies Open tournament photos

Carly caught up to Marion on the back nine, moving into a tie with the leader of the 1st two rounds on the 16th.  With a 3 stroke lead through 10, Marion started to move back toward the field with a bogie on 11, her putt just running round the lip of the cup.

Carly Booth's playoff-winning putt on the 18th green at the 2012 Dinard Ladies Open

Carly opened the playoff hole with a drive that was dead-center of the fairway and an approach shot which finished pin-high 7 feet from the hole.  Marion’s approach landed in the rough to the right of the green.  But the talented winner at Terre Blanche chipped to 2 feet from the pin and made her putt, leaving Carly with a putt for the win.  The young Scot delivered on her putt in front of the large gallery on 18, earning her first win of 2012.

Carly Booth, champion at the 2012 Dinard Ladies Open

Guts & Glory

The runnerup, Marion Ricordeau of France, had yet another superb week of golf and led for virtually the whole tournament.  One story which hadn’t been in the press is that Marion managed to win at Terre Blanche and finish second here at Dinard on an injured ankle.

Marion Ricordeau teeing off from the 12th during round 1 at the 2012 Dinard Ladies Open

Marion had a severe ankle sprain just a week before Terre Blanche, limping noticeably especially during the first round.  I spoke to her just before she teed off at the start of the 1st round – she really wasn’t sure if she’d be able to manage getting around the very steep hills of Terre Blanche.   At Dinard, she was able to walk better, but was still receiving treatment.  Amazing girl!

Keep it up !

The Dinard Ladies Open was the second tournament this season that was co-sanctioned by the LET Access Series and the Generali Ladies Tour.  We love the growing cooperation between the two tours, the LET, and FFGolf.  It’s great to see everyone moving forward in the same direction in support of womens golf.

The iconic sign atop the clubhouse at Dinard Golf, Saint Briac-sur-mer, France

And as we tweeted a few days ago, we’d also like to say well done to Generali, the R&A, Region Bretagne, Lacoste, Golf Emeraude, Golf Magazine, and Dinard Golf (the host club) for their support of the tournament and of womens golf.  We hope that our readers will support the companies that actively support womens golf.  I hope that I’ve correctly mentioned everyone, but please let me know if I missed anyone that was involved at the Dinard event as we’d like to give all of them a mention.

Dinard Golf is a quirky, gorgeous seaside links course which is located just 10 minutes south of Dinard in the Bretagne seaside village of Saint Briac-sur-mer.  The are reminds me a lot of (home sweet home) coastal Maine in the United States – rocky shores, gorgeous sandy beaches, sail boats and fisherman.

Dana Greenslade lining up on the 12th tee during round 1 at the 2012 Dinard Ladies Open

If you’ve never been to the area, we highly recommend a visit and a round at Dinard Golf.  It’s reachable by plane from the UK (to Dinard airport), train (TGV to St Malo) from Paris, and by car.  The course was in superb condition for the tournament.  The tees, fairways & greens were all in great condition according to the golfers.

Lorellen Gros (France) lining up on the 12th tee during round 1 at the 2012 Dinard Ladies Open

This was my second year in a row visiting Saint Briac.  And while in many of the photos it may look like I’ve boosted the blues in the ocean, I really haven’t.  These are the actual colors of the ocean on the days that we were there.  On a sunny day, there really isn’t a prettier place to take tournament photos.

Roll Call

Several of the golfers had outstanding weeks at Dinard.

• Tournament low rounds of 65 for Scotland’s Katy McNicoll and France’s Julie Greciet.  Katy’s final round 65 moved her up to T3 for the tournament, possibly the top result in her young pro career. Interesting that two girls from Scotland (Katy & Carly) had the two lowest rounds (65, 67) on the windy final day.
• Well done to the top amateur Nathalie Lamboult.  She finished T19 for the tournament, with rounds of 71, 70 & 73.
• First pro cut made for young English professional Dana Greenslade.  Bright future ahead – well done Dana!

Allez Nathalie

Dinard was likely the last tour event for popular french pro and our good friend, Nathalie David-Mila.  Nathalie’s retiring to raise her new son with husband Olivier.

It was a family affair all week at Dinard for Nathalie.  While Nathalie competed, her dad was caddying, and her mom took care of her 7-month old son.  Each day finished with a smile as Nathalie saw her mom with the baby carriage waiting near the 18th green.

We’re going to sorely miss seeing Nathalie out on the fairways of Europe.  Maybe we can convince her to still enter a tournament or two…..

Nathalie David-Mila (France) near the 7th green during round 2 at the 2012 Dinard Ladies Open

Nathalie David-Mila (France) on the 12th tee at the 2012 Dinard Ladies Open