KirkwoodGolf

Monday, August 10, 2009

Editor Colin Farquharson's note:
If you scroll down to our preview of the British girls' open amateur championship, you will see a reference to Susan Simpson, the LGU'S Head of Golf Operations, being very disappointed that the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA between them had scheduled the Junior Solheim Cup for early next week, making it very difficult for the leading European players selected for that team to play in the British girls' championship at West Lancashire Golf Club this week, finishing on Friday (The Junior Solheim Cup starts in Illinois next Tuesday).
Six of the European team, including local Manchester girl Kelly Tidy, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, decided not to play in the British girls' championship but the other six are in the field at West Lancashire Golf Club.
Colin Farquharson


Ladies European Tour player Lynn Kenny writes:
Hi Colin,
I was just reading Kirkwooddgolf.co.uk and noticed that you mentioned the LET and the LPGA did not do the LGU any favours in arranging the Junior Solheim Cup for next week.
I'm not sure, but I think the Solheim Cup dates are set well in advance since it is every two years, and it is common knowledge that the Junior Solheim Cup will always be a few days prior to the Solheim Cup.
So, in fairness, is it not the case that the LGU have arranged their girls' championship badly if they were wanting the strongest field to attend? Just a thought.
Lynn Kenny


Editor's note:
I replied to Lynn, pointing out that the British girls' championship was on the tournament calendar long before the Solheim Cup and Junior Solheim Cup were thought of and that "new" events should try to avoid prestigious competitions that have a fixed place on that calendar.

Further response from Lynn Kenny:
Colin,
I can see your point about the 'newcomers' but I think that the Junior Solheim Cup is a highly sought after European team event, which, in the eyes of the girls picked, is much more prestigious than playing in the British girls championship.
The LGU need to recognise this and if possible (I know there aren't enough weeks in the year for everything!) arrange the British girls' championship every two years accordingly, to avoid a clash of dates.
When the Solheim Cup is in Europe they could attract a very strong field by arranging it for the week AFTER the Solheim, and therefore making it appealing for the USA Junior Solheim Cup team to enter too.
Lynn Kenny


+If you have a view on the above topic, you can E-mail it to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

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