Martin Harris, general manager of The Oxfordshire Golf Club, with Samantha Round.
County title successearns Sam Round place in Ladies' English Open
The Oxfordshire Golf Club has made the dreams of one young golfer come true – by securing her a place alongside Europe's leading professionals at the Ladies English Open.
Sam Round, 22, was left stunned when, after winning the Oxfordshire County Ladies Championship, she was told the victory had claimed her a place in the prestigious Ladies English Open at the Oxfordshire in July.
Officials at The Oxfordshire had decided that, as host club for both events, they would sponsor the winner of the county championship and allow her to play in the Ladies European Tour event. But Sam, from Banbury, was unaware of the incredible prize on offer and was left speechless when it was announced at the prize-giving ceremony by The Oxfordshire’s general manager Martin Harris.
Sam, a member at Tadmarton Heath Golf Club, said: “This has all come as a huge surprise because I had no idea that the winner of the county championship would be getting a place in the Ladies English Open.
“The Oxfordshire are hosting the event and therefore they are able to sponsor a player to take part. I was delighted to have won the county championship but it was only at the presentation that I found out that it meant I would be playing in the Ladies English Open.
“I was absolutely speechless and it’s not often that happens. I have always dreamed of playing in a professional event and to realise that dream is going to be a special day.”
Sam, who plays off a handicap of one, will now be teeing it up alongside some of the top names in ladies golf. The tournament, from July 4-6 at The Oxfordshire, has in the past seen a number of Solheim Cup players compete including: England’s Laura Davies; last year’s champion Becky Brewerton; Sweden’s Maria Hjorth; and 13-times Ladies European Tour winner Trish Johnson.
Sam, a marketing management student at the University of Gloucestershire, won the county championship after two rounds of medal qualifying to qualify for the last 16 match-play format at The Oxfordshire.
She is now already turning her attention to the LEO in July and is planning to go into a full-time practice regime after her university exams on May 13.
She said: “It will be fantastic to experience the atmosphere of a professional event and to see how the top professionals approach the game.
“I have played in front of crowds before at the county championship but the LEO will be like nothing I have ever experienced.
“I’ve no doubt I will be nervous but that is normal. To make the cut would be a dream but putting together a good round of golf and enjoying the experience will be the main thing.
“After I finish university in May I had planned on taking a year out to play golf and I couldn’t have wished for a better start than playing in the LEO. I’m amazed at the opportunity I’ve been given and I plan on making the most of it.”
The Oxfordshire’s Martin Harris said: “We are delighted to have the Ladies English Open here at The Oxfordshire, and it is even better that we are able to make the dreams of a talented local amateur golfer come true at the same time.
“Our congratulations go to Sam for her tremendous performance in the county championships and we are sure she will do herself proud in the LEO.
“It will be a fantastic experience for her to play with some of the best European lady golfers around and she fully deserves the chance.
“We are very much looking forward to putting on a great event and are expecting the weekend to be very exciting and a great day out for all the family.”
For more information on the Ladies English Open or The Oxfordshire go to http://www.theoxfordshiregolfclub.com/.
The Oxfordshire Golf Club has made the dreams of one young golfer come true – by securing her a place alongside Europe's leading professionals at the Ladies English Open.
Sam Round, 22, was left stunned when, after winning the Oxfordshire County Ladies Championship, she was told the victory had claimed her a place in the prestigious Ladies English Open at the Oxfordshire in July.
Officials at The Oxfordshire had decided that, as host club for both events, they would sponsor the winner of the county championship and allow her to play in the Ladies European Tour event. But Sam, from Banbury, was unaware of the incredible prize on offer and was left speechless when it was announced at the prize-giving ceremony by The Oxfordshire’s general manager Martin Harris.
Sam, a member at Tadmarton Heath Golf Club, said: “This has all come as a huge surprise because I had no idea that the winner of the county championship would be getting a place in the Ladies English Open.
“The Oxfordshire are hosting the event and therefore they are able to sponsor a player to take part. I was delighted to have won the county championship but it was only at the presentation that I found out that it meant I would be playing in the Ladies English Open.
“I was absolutely speechless and it’s not often that happens. I have always dreamed of playing in a professional event and to realise that dream is going to be a special day.”
Sam, who plays off a handicap of one, will now be teeing it up alongside some of the top names in ladies golf. The tournament, from July 4-6 at The Oxfordshire, has in the past seen a number of Solheim Cup players compete including: England’s Laura Davies; last year’s champion Becky Brewerton; Sweden’s Maria Hjorth; and 13-times Ladies European Tour winner Trish Johnson.
Sam, a marketing management student at the University of Gloucestershire, won the county championship after two rounds of medal qualifying to qualify for the last 16 match-play format at The Oxfordshire.
She is now already turning her attention to the LEO in July and is planning to go into a full-time practice regime after her university exams on May 13.
She said: “It will be fantastic to experience the atmosphere of a professional event and to see how the top professionals approach the game.
“I have played in front of crowds before at the county championship but the LEO will be like nothing I have ever experienced.
“I’ve no doubt I will be nervous but that is normal. To make the cut would be a dream but putting together a good round of golf and enjoying the experience will be the main thing.
“After I finish university in May I had planned on taking a year out to play golf and I couldn’t have wished for a better start than playing in the LEO. I’m amazed at the opportunity I’ve been given and I plan on making the most of it.”
The Oxfordshire’s Martin Harris said: “We are delighted to have the Ladies English Open here at The Oxfordshire, and it is even better that we are able to make the dreams of a talented local amateur golfer come true at the same time.
“Our congratulations go to Sam for her tremendous performance in the county championships and we are sure she will do herself proud in the LEO.
“It will be a fantastic experience for her to play with some of the best European lady golfers around and she fully deserves the chance.
“We are very much looking forward to putting on a great event and are expecting the weekend to be very exciting and a great day out for all the family.”
For more information on the Ladies English Open or The Oxfordshire go to http://www.theoxfordshiregolfclub.com/.
Labels: Amateur Ladies
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