England Golf to host 2019 European women’s amateur

Issued 8 March, 2017
England Golf to host 2019 European women's amateur



England Golf will host one of the top events in women's amateur golf when it stages the 2019 European ladies' championship at Parkstone Golf Club in Dorset.

The champion will be rewarded with a place in the Ricoh Women's British Open and past winners include England's own Bronte Law in 2016.

Among the other title holders are a host of Solheim Cup players such as Joanne Morley, Becky Brewerton, Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Hedwall.

"We are delighted to host this championship and to be able to play it on Parkstone's beautiful course," said England Golf Championship Director James Crampton. "It will be a great test for the competitors and a wonderful venue for spectators."

The course, ranked in the top 100 courses of Great Britain and Ireland, will offer competitors a heathland challenge, coupled with a stunning setting known for its natural beauty.

"This is a course which calls for strategy and it will be perfect for these top women players," said Parkstone's General Manager, Michael Sawicki.

Course work over recent years has included improvements to all the bunkers and significant tree removal to reveal the heathland nature of the course, which boasts views to Poole harbour. Further improvements are planned, including tweaks to the short 16th, which will turn a good hole into a great one by the time the championship is held.

It will be played from 24-27 July 2019 and a full field will bring 144 competitors from around the world to Parkstone. They will all play the first 54 holes before the field is cut to the top 60 and ties for the final round.

This will be the third time England Golf hosts a European event in six years, following the European ladies' team championship of 2013 and this summer's European amateur championship at Walton Heath, from 28 June- 1 July.

"It's fantastic to bring these events to England and to give spectators a chance to see the stars of tomorrow – and hopefully inspire more people to play the game," added James Crampton.

The European ladies' championship has been held once before in England, at Formby Golf Club, Lancashire, in 1997 when Italy's Silva Cavalleri successfully defended her title. Three English players have been European champions and all come from the north: Bronte Law (2016) and Joanne Morley (1992) both hail from Cheshire, while Emma Duggleby, now Brown, (2000) is from Yorkshire.