The cream of amateur female golfing talent from six states battled it out today at Metropolitan Golf Club Golf Club in Victoria to compete for their once in a lifetime opportunity – an all expenses paid trip to Paris to play in the Peugeot International Pro AM.
The national final of the Peugeot Women’s Classic saw lady golfers from across Australia demonstrate their skills and kick off the 2009 Women’s Australian Open in style. The country’s finest female amateurs were given the opportunity to compete on the course where the likes of defending champion and four times title winner Karrie Webb, European No. 1 Gwladys Nocera and Australian No.2 Katherine Hull, who will play later this week in what is set to be a thrilling golf tournament.
Mavie Pearce, Jan Herring and Jane Marsden from The Pines, Sanctuary Cove took the title in Australia’s most talked about women’s team amateur championship, with a total score of 79. Finishing close behind the winners was the team from Launceston’s Riverside Golf Club, with 77.
Jane Marsden said: “When they announced that we were the winning team, we were all in shock. We burst into tears! We never expected to get this far, so it’s thrilling and surprising at the same time. We’re so excited to be going to Paris. The Peugeot Women’s Classic is such a wonderful tournament and it’s great for women’s golf. I’d encourage all ladies across the country with an interest in golf to have a go.”
Rob Dommerson, Managing Director of Peugeot Automobiles Australia, said: “The sheer quality of players who turn out for this tournament each year never fails to delight.
“We at Peugeot would like to offer our congratulations to the ladies from The Pines. A trip to Paris to play in the Peugeot International Pro AM is the chance of a lifetime, and with the talents displayed by the team today, there’s no doubt that they will demonstrate internationally the high quality of golf played in Australia.
Dommerson continued: “It is our aim to continue building a competition that brings out not only the competitive spirit but also a social atmosphere.”
The Classic was established in 2006, as part of Golf Australia’s vision and commitment to grow female participation in the sport. The partnership between Golf Australia and Peugeot is one example of many such relationships forming across the country between stakeholders who share the aim of forming stronger and ongoing commitments to women’s golf.
Since its inception, the Classic has grown every year, with an increase of almost 2000 participants in 2008 when compared to 2007.
Almost 14,000 amateur lady golfers across the country participated in the first round in 2008 … a 16% increase on the 12,000 plus players who took part the previous year.
Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt commented: “The Classic not only serves to engage women golfers, but also acts as a showcase of women’s grassroots golf. It’s a great platform for ladies to demonstrate their talents, with the chance to play in Paris providing a great incentive. I’d like to thank Peugeot for their continued support of the tournament.”
After the success of 2008, the Peugeot Women’s Classic will continue in 2009.
For further information please visit www.peugeotwomensclassic.com.au
