With effect from today, 6th February 2009, we can confirm that we shall no longer be posting new Blogs on this site. The Golf Blog facility has been incorporated into Ladiesontour.com and we recommend that in future, you click on the above link and go directly to the new location.
Thank you for your support.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Start thinking outside the box!
Golf establishments have to start thinking outside of the box! Fact!
With a background in marketing, sales and finance, I have always been a firm believer that those businesses with unique and novel ideas will progress better in times of duress, such as economic downturns, than those who sit back and follow tradition.
Sparked off by GolfGirl’s blog Tuesday regarding Harborne Golf Club (Birmingham, UK) decision to knock down a structural wall within their clubhouse thereby mixing the male and the female bars and members to produce one big ‘function’ area, it got me thinking of other potential marketing approaches golf clubs could use. The article read that Harborne is now benefiting from hiring out the space for functions and especially weddings! Wow, how novel is that? Sorry for my sarcasm but private clubs have been doing this for years. Member clubs it’s time to wake up! Where I previously lived in the UK one private club was raising min £500,000 additional income per annum in undertaking 50 weddings per year at £10k, per hit. They have been doing it for years.
For those that read my response to GolfGirl’s blog, you will know that having previously lectured to golf clubs on how to market themselves, most think I am barking mad. However, what exactly is wrong with holding a concert on the practice ground area? Or, if not a concert, a fund-raising Summer Ball in a Marquee? Invite all the members from neighbouring clubs and start working together as partners and not as ‘competitors’! Set all the same green fees rather than cutting each others’ throats by trying to under cut each other!
Anyway, it got me thinking that Tesco or WalMart or some such brand started life by selling food produce. Take a look inside their stores now. What do they sell? Everything, including golf equipment in some supermarches! Petrol stations/Gas stations, what did they start off selling? Petrol/Gas – what do they offer now? Food, magazines, CDs/DVDs, books, flowers, cash dispensers as well as house-hold items, and I have even seen white goods on sale in some gas stations!
What do 99% of golf shops sell? Only golf gear! Period. What happens at the weekend? The purchaser of the household goods runs off down the shops buys his/her shopping and then goes and plays golf or vice versa? Why can’t the purchaser of the household goods go to the golf club, leave a shopping list, or take his/her dry cleaning in there, go play golf and have it all waiting for him/her when he/she returns after slogging around the golf course? Why can’t they sell flowers at weekends so that the guy can take a bunch back to the ailing wife to say I love you or sorry for being late? Why doesn’t a golf shop sell wines? Interesting when Annika, Ernie’s John Daly’s and Greg’s wines hit the shops they won’t be sold in a single UK pro shop….due to lack of licencing. But why not apply for a licence and sell them? Why not sell food hampers at Christmas and add golf products?
Perhaps that’s a bit over the top but I don’t see why! Why can’t the golf clubs sell men’s ties, or non-golf socks, suits and shirts with collar and ties? I have seen a few sell cuff links, and the odd ceramic jewellery that the owner’s daughter has knocked up in her bedroom. But hey guys let’s get smart about this! How many golf clubs do you know that sell handbags for the ladies and all the matching accessories? Why can’t a guy buy men’s work shoes or ladies buy ladies day shoes or summer sandals from the golf club – why don’t they hire out a small part of their shops to a local boutique? Exactly how much of the current golf stock that they have in the shop turns over each week?
I have just visited most golf clubs in my area - all lavish private clubs too - about 12 out of 16 so far. Guess what? I found 10 out of 12 all selling the same golf wear brands, colours, designs and cut – OMG! How boring is that? Only one is selling non-golf related items because it is a country club with a gym, squash & tennis courts and swimming pool. None of the other clubs are selling any thing other than golf gear, and then it is twice the price as the prices on the high street or malls, and three or four times the prices of the supermarkets.
I have never seen a golf club selling framed or unframed prints of the golf course or any other subject for that matter. When it comes to Christmas, and the spouse goes to the golf club their choice is golf, golf or golf. Not golf with a touch of added value, i.e. I got you a new tie dear… or I bought you this belt to go with your handbag dear….
Some will say that I am being naive and that the shops are too small to expand. Perhaps that is the case in some instances but perhaps not, and that the real reason is that it is too much trouble and golf shops just can’t be bothered.
Such ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking and approach may just be the difference between bankruptcy, increasing members subscriptions and losing members and retaining members if not growing your income!
With a background in marketing, sales and finance, I have always been a firm believer that those businesses with unique and novel ideas will progress better in times of duress, such as economic downturns, than those who sit back and follow tradition.
Sparked off by GolfGirl’s blog Tuesday regarding Harborne Golf Club (Birmingham, UK) decision to knock down a structural wall within their clubhouse thereby mixing the male and the female bars and members to produce one big ‘function’ area, it got me thinking of other potential marketing approaches golf clubs could use. The article read that Harborne is now benefiting from hiring out the space for functions and especially weddings! Wow, how novel is that? Sorry for my sarcasm but private clubs have been doing this for years. Member clubs it’s time to wake up! Where I previously lived in the UK one private club was raising min £500,000 additional income per annum in undertaking 50 weddings per year at £10k, per hit. They have been doing it for years.
For those that read my response to GolfGirl’s blog, you will know that having previously lectured to golf clubs on how to market themselves, most think I am barking mad. However, what exactly is wrong with holding a concert on the practice ground area? Or, if not a concert, a fund-raising Summer Ball in a Marquee? Invite all the members from neighbouring clubs and start working together as partners and not as ‘competitors’! Set all the same green fees rather than cutting each others’ throats by trying to under cut each other!
Anyway, it got me thinking that Tesco or WalMart or some such brand started life by selling food produce. Take a look inside their stores now. What do they sell? Everything, including golf equipment in some supermarches! Petrol stations/Gas stations, what did they start off selling? Petrol/Gas – what do they offer now? Food, magazines, CDs/DVDs, books, flowers, cash dispensers as well as house-hold items, and I have even seen white goods on sale in some gas stations!
What do 99% of golf shops sell? Only golf gear! Period. What happens at the weekend? The purchaser of the household goods runs off down the shops buys his/her shopping and then goes and plays golf or vice versa? Why can’t the purchaser of the household goods go to the golf club, leave a shopping list, or take his/her dry cleaning in there, go play golf and have it all waiting for him/her when he/she returns after slogging around the golf course? Why can’t they sell flowers at weekends so that the guy can take a bunch back to the ailing wife to say I love you or sorry for being late? Why doesn’t a golf shop sell wines? Interesting when Annika, Ernie’s John Daly’s and Greg’s wines hit the shops they won’t be sold in a single UK pro shop….due to lack of licencing. But why not apply for a licence and sell them? Why not sell food hampers at Christmas and add golf products?
Perhaps that’s a bit over the top but I don’t see why! Why can’t the golf clubs sell men’s ties, or non-golf socks, suits and shirts with collar and ties? I have seen a few sell cuff links, and the odd ceramic jewellery that the owner’s daughter has knocked up in her bedroom. But hey guys let’s get smart about this! How many golf clubs do you know that sell handbags for the ladies and all the matching accessories? Why can’t a guy buy men’s work shoes or ladies buy ladies day shoes or summer sandals from the golf club – why don’t they hire out a small part of their shops to a local boutique? Exactly how much of the current golf stock that they have in the shop turns over each week?
I have just visited most golf clubs in my area - all lavish private clubs too - about 12 out of 16 so far. Guess what? I found 10 out of 12 all selling the same golf wear brands, colours, designs and cut – OMG! How boring is that? Only one is selling non-golf related items because it is a country club with a gym, squash & tennis courts and swimming pool. None of the other clubs are selling any thing other than golf gear, and then it is twice the price as the prices on the high street or malls, and three or four times the prices of the supermarkets.
I have never seen a golf club selling framed or unframed prints of the golf course or any other subject for that matter. When it comes to Christmas, and the spouse goes to the golf club their choice is golf, golf or golf. Not golf with a touch of added value, i.e. I got you a new tie dear… or I bought you this belt to go with your handbag dear….
Some will say that I am being naive and that the shops are too small to expand. Perhaps that is the case in some instances but perhaps not, and that the real reason is that it is too much trouble and golf shops just can’t be bothered.
Such ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking and approach may just be the difference between bankruptcy, increasing members subscriptions and losing members and retaining members if not growing your income!
It’s time to wake up, if it isn’t already too late!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
STOP PRESS!
Ladiesontour.com at has just launched an online golf swing analysis facility and service for visitors to their site....check out the site for further details, by clicking on the link below:
Friday, January 30, 2009
Dubai Desert Classic
Being based in Dubai and the Middle East means that our working week is officially from Sunday through to Thursday, so today, I shall be either working on my websites - I have many - or perhaps, low fog permitting, I shall be taking time out to go to the Dubai Desert Classic!Normally, I receive accreditation as a photo/journalist for the ladies golf events but apart from the Camilo Villegas Fan Club involvement (which I sorely need to update!), I have no real reporting interest in the men's tour! I just don't do guys!
Either way, Susan and I shall be going to the DDC tomorrow, and will be promoting the ladies golf to the fans at the event. Whatever you are doing today, do have fun!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Coming in Spring to Ladiesontour.com
Hi everyone,
You'll be delighted to learn that we have been busy behind the scenes once again developing unique, and new offerings for visitors of ladiesontour.com. You can see from the banner advert just some of the things we have planned!
I can already tell you that apart from that which we published on the site as advanced warning, we also have some huge projects in the pipeline in which you can participate, from wherever in the world you are, and these are progressing through the planning stages...
So please watch this space or pop in to the ladiesontour.com website regularly to see what's happening in the world of ladies golf....and what we have in store for you!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
GolfPodRadio is here!
We are pleased to say that Ladiesontour.com today launched its very own GolfPodRadio. In this unique set of programmes we aim to raise the profile of ladies professional golf throughout the world and bring to the attention of the golfing public the talent of both touring professionals around the world, and the female teaching professionals who are so often forgotten.
In this our first Programme we are pleased to feature an interview with Austria's Nicole Gergely, (pictured) news from Australia, and a preview of the forthcoming Ladies African Tour together with an extract from Annika Sorenstam's press conference at the Dubai Ladies Masters in December.
Log in to ladiesontour.com and check out the latest on GolfPodRadio....no other golf portal promotes ladies professional golf to the extent of ladiesontour.com!
In this our first Programme we are pleased to feature an interview with Austria's Nicole Gergely, (pictured) news from Australia, and a preview of the forthcoming Ladies African Tour together with an extract from Annika Sorenstam's press conference at the Dubai Ladies Masters in December.
Log in to ladiesontour.com and check out the latest on GolfPodRadio....no other golf portal promotes ladies professional golf to the extent of ladiesontour.com!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Who is the next Laura Davies?
Laura Jane Davies CBE is Britain’s most accomplished and well known lady golf professional ever. Having had a terrific spell as an amateur, Laura turned professional in 1985 and has gone on to win 70 tournaments and become England’s greatest ever ambassador for ladies golf.
Known also as an avid Liverpool football fan, and a sometimes ‘gambler’ Laura has single-handedly put ladies professional golf on the map. At 44 years of age (soon to be 45) she is still winning titles and showing the younger generation of wannabes the way down the fairways. She can float a nine iron approach shot from right to left against the wind when less experienced European players don’t know how to draw nor fade a ball in still conditions. Laura is the ‘master’ of hitting a driver off the ground and having already won 4 majors is only one major or two regular LPGA tour events away from golf’s Hall of Fame.
With all this and very much more in mind, and with 50 years of age in sight, one has to ask, “Who is the next Laura Davies?” England has undoubtedly some fine players, one or two on the LPGA tour and ofcourse the first to come to mind would be Karen Stupples, but Karen will be the first to admit that she is nowhere near matching Laura’s golfing achievements, with only one major to her name and a world ranking position of 33rd, and some very talented youngsters above her.
Who else could possibly be considered in the same breathe as Laura? Obvious English talent that is advancing through the ranks, are Rebecca Hudson, Rookie Melissa Reid who has already climbed to World Ranking of 177 in her rookie year. Newcomers, Henni Zuel, Felicity Johnson and Kiran Matharu still have to prove themselves on the European stage despite the media hype, but in order to emulate Laura Davies then the world stage of the LPGA is the place for which to head. Interestingly both Zuel and Matharu are trying for their LPGA cards this year, Zuel in her first full year on the LET and Matharu after failing to secure a spot in 2007. Clearly these ladies are ambitious enough to understand that the US is where they have to stamp their mark but in the meantime, I ask who is going to take over Laura Davies mantle as England’s top player or world ranking status?
Thankfully, Laura will not be hanging up her golf shoes for many years to come, unless she knows something no-one else does and has not divulged it, and as a consequence the English youngsters have opportunities to learn from the UK biggest superstar in ladies professional golf. It would be a crying shame if they felt they couldn’t learn anything from Davies who has been there done it and has the records to prove it.
In the meantime, it would be fantastic to see Laura lift another major title and walk into golf’s Hall of Fame alongside, Annika Sorenstam, Korea’s Se Ri Pak, and Nancy Lopez.
Known also as an avid Liverpool football fan, and a sometimes ‘gambler’ Laura has single-handedly put ladies professional golf on the map. At 44 years of age (soon to be 45) she is still winning titles and showing the younger generation of wannabes the way down the fairways. She can float a nine iron approach shot from right to left against the wind when less experienced European players don’t know how to draw nor fade a ball in still conditions. Laura is the ‘master’ of hitting a driver off the ground and having already won 4 majors is only one major or two regular LPGA tour events away from golf’s Hall of Fame.
With all this and very much more in mind, and with 50 years of age in sight, one has to ask, “Who is the next Laura Davies?” England has undoubtedly some fine players, one or two on the LPGA tour and ofcourse the first to come to mind would be Karen Stupples, but Karen will be the first to admit that she is nowhere near matching Laura’s golfing achievements, with only one major to her name and a world ranking position of 33rd, and some very talented youngsters above her.
Who else could possibly be considered in the same breathe as Laura? Obvious English talent that is advancing through the ranks, are Rebecca Hudson, Rookie Melissa Reid who has already climbed to World Ranking of 177 in her rookie year. Newcomers, Henni Zuel, Felicity Johnson and Kiran Matharu still have to prove themselves on the European stage despite the media hype, but in order to emulate Laura Davies then the world stage of the LPGA is the place for which to head. Interestingly both Zuel and Matharu are trying for their LPGA cards this year, Zuel in her first full year on the LET and Matharu after failing to secure a spot in 2007. Clearly these ladies are ambitious enough to understand that the US is where they have to stamp their mark but in the meantime, I ask who is going to take over Laura Davies mantle as England’s top player or world ranking status?
Thankfully, Laura will not be hanging up her golf shoes for many years to come, unless she knows something no-one else does and has not divulged it, and as a consequence the English youngsters have opportunities to learn from the UK biggest superstar in ladies professional golf. It would be a crying shame if they felt they couldn’t learn anything from Davies who has been there done it and has the records to prove it.
In the meantime, it would be fantastic to see Laura lift another major title and walk into golf’s Hall of Fame alongside, Annika Sorenstam, Korea’s Se Ri Pak, and Nancy Lopez.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Logo unveiled...
As you can see, Ladiesontour.com has unveiled a logo for the first time in it's 2 year existence. Designed some 12 months or so ago but placed on a back-burner, the logo has been developed from the golf swing of a European lady golf professional. Can you guess whose swing was used for this design? Can you hazard a guess? If you think you know, then please drop us a line at http://www.ladiesontour.com/ using the Contact Us communication link.
Keep returning to Ladiesontour.com as we shall reveal the answer over the coming weeks.
In the meantime, we'd love to hear what you think of the logo - please either email us and/or complete the poll within this site. We are always interested in your feedback - Thanks
Keep returning to Ladiesontour.com as we shall reveal the answer over the coming weeks.
In the meantime, we'd love to hear what you think of the logo - please either email us and/or complete the poll within this site. We are always interested in your feedback - Thanks
Saturday, August 30, 2008
New Ladies Golf Website Coming Soon!
Hi All,
It has been a while but things have been happening behind the scenes and I am delighted to tell you that we shall shortly be launching a new ladies golf website - we can't tell you details but at least one person in the golfing community of ladies professional golf will be interested!
Visit back and don't forget to check out www.ladiesontour.com
Happy golfing!
It has been a while but things have been happening behind the scenes and I am delighted to tell you that we shall shortly be launching a new ladies golf website - we can't tell you details but at least one person in the golfing community of ladies professional golf will be interested!
Visit back and don't forget to check out www.ladiesontour.com
Happy golfing!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Nuria Clau - On Tour - Off the course!
Check out Nuria's latest column submission on http://www.ladiesontour.com/
It's a great insight into being on Tour as a pro golfer!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
The Nuria Clau Column continues......
The second article in The Nuria Clau Column, "Making a living from tour golf" has now been posted on the ladiesontour.com website - www.ladiesontour.com - check it out
Please note The Nuria Clau Column now has a Main Menu button.
Good reading to you all!
P.S. Why not drop Nuria a line.......with some of your thoughts, questions and comments.
Please note The Nuria Clau Column now has a Main Menu button.
Good reading to you all!
P.S. Why not drop Nuria a line.......with some of your thoughts, questions and comments.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Ladiesontour.com sponsors new golf site
Ladiesontour.com is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring a new golf site promoting the Colombian PGA golf professional Camilo Villegas.
Villegas is considered by many to be the new heart-throb of the male PGA tour and one of the great prospects to challenge Tiger Woods. He is also known for his flambouyant dress sense and his 'spiderman' green-reading technique.
Go and check out the site on www.camilovillegasfanclub.com
Villegas is considered by many to be the new heart-throb of the male PGA tour and one of the great prospects to challenge Tiger Woods. He is also known for his flambouyant dress sense and his 'spiderman' green-reading technique.
Go and check out the site on www.camilovillegasfanclub.com
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Stroke Average versus Money list (Part I)
In the first of a two-part blog we look at the hidden secrets of stroke averages and how they could play a major influence in developing European golf
When you look at the Ladies European Tour and the results to date for the Order of Merit as it is based on the New Star Money List, one could be forgiven for asking “Is it right that the Order of Merit is settled by money earned rather than the average number of strokes taken by players over the entire season?”
Why do I raise this question? Well, often it is said, rightly or wrongly or arguably, that the LET is a secondary tour to the LPGA and that the Solheim Cup, Women’s British Open and the Evian Masters results demonstrate this better than anything else. Surely the measure of how good players truly are should be the number of strokes they take to play 72 holes at each event, multiplied by the number of events divided by the number of rounds, thereby producing a calculable stroke average. This provides a figure that demonstrates the consistency of a player over the entire season and their ability to almost always pull a good round out of the bag, and does not project them to the top of the money list due to the size of the winner’s cheque.
Ofcourse one has to take into account the number of events in which players have participated on any given tour, and there is an argument to say that eligibility to qualify for top honours at the end of the season should be determined by a player’s participation in a minimum number of events.
Admittedly, there is also more money on offer on the LPGA tour than the LET but what is consistent for both tours is that the players play the same holes as each other in that field or on tour and that one stroke in one event can make a substantial financial difference and boost a player into the higher echelons of the money list, despite the fact that their overall play throughout the season may have been poorer than that of players placed lower in the money tables. You think that this can’t happen? Look again!
Let’s take a couple of examples – at the top of the LET Money List as at the time of writing this blog is Germany’s Bettina Hauert. A talented player, an amiable person and a twice winner on the LET during 2007. Bettina’s official winnings are €216,998.10 and yet her stroke average position isn’t even in the top 30! Indeed, her stroke average figures for 2007 to date, of 73.42, places her in 40th position! In second place and some €2,241.53 adrift on €214,756.47 is Sophie Gustafson with a stroke average of 70.90. Okay, okay I know what you are going to say, Sophie Gustafson has played less events than Bettina and so it may not be so surprising that Sophie’s stroke average is 2.52 strokes better. Well, let’s first of all compare like with like (or a close as possible)…….Hauert has played 17 events, Gwladys Nocera of France 19 events, England’s Trish Johnson 18 events and Wales’ Becky Brewerton 18 events. Check out the performance tables below:
Official Money List
No. 1 - Bettina Hauert - €216,998.10
No. 4 – Trish Johnson - € 189,467.75
No. 6 - Gwladys Nocera - € 160,424.97
No. 8 – Becky Brewerton - € 135,785.93
Stroke Averages
No. 4 - Gwladys Nocera 72.17
No. 8 – Becky Brewerton 72.38
No. 9 - Trish Johnson 72.45
No. 40 – Bettina Hauert 73.42
The Solheim Cup standings are determined by points awarded through performance in events and not stroke averages, hence it is little wonder that Bettina Hauert made the Solheim Cup team and yet was probably the most inconsistent player (in stroke average terms) in the European team, with others like Rebecca Hudson with a stroke average of 72.69 and in 18th position losing out for her place in the team to a player in 40th place!
To take another example, check out the following statistics for the Rookie of the Year on the LET:
Money List
No 1. Louise Stahle - € 79,678.66
No. 22 Anne-Lise Caudal - € 6,354.31
Stroke Average
Louise Stahle - 72.58 (12th)
Anne-Lise Caudal - 75.57 (140th)
Interestingly, and again based solely on money earned, a surprise victory could place any of the top 22 first year tour players on the Rookie of the Year list into top position following the Dubai Ladies Masters, as the winner’s cheque for this one event alone is €75,000.
Surely if we want our players to truly improve their performances (as well as make more income) then we have to go some way to encouraging players to improve their stroke average – accepting that Sophie Gustafson is in a league of her own on 70.90 (but only over 21 rounds) there is less than a one stroke average margin between the second placed player, Catriona Matthew on 72.06 (18 rounds) and the 25th player Denmark’s Amanda Moltke-Leth on 73.00 (50 rounds).
Isn’t it high time that the tours took more notice of the stroke averages in determining who really merits awards at the end of the season, in an effort to improve the standard of play on the tour?
Check back in a few days time to read Part II on "Stroke Averages"
When you look at the Ladies European Tour and the results to date for the Order of Merit as it is based on the New Star Money List, one could be forgiven for asking “Is it right that the Order of Merit is settled by money earned rather than the average number of strokes taken by players over the entire season?”
Why do I raise this question? Well, often it is said, rightly or wrongly or arguably, that the LET is a secondary tour to the LPGA and that the Solheim Cup, Women’s British Open and the Evian Masters results demonstrate this better than anything else. Surely the measure of how good players truly are should be the number of strokes they take to play 72 holes at each event, multiplied by the number of events divided by the number of rounds, thereby producing a calculable stroke average. This provides a figure that demonstrates the consistency of a player over the entire season and their ability to almost always pull a good round out of the bag, and does not project them to the top of the money list due to the size of the winner’s cheque.
Ofcourse one has to take into account the number of events in which players have participated on any given tour, and there is an argument to say that eligibility to qualify for top honours at the end of the season should be determined by a player’s participation in a minimum number of events.
Admittedly, there is also more money on offer on the LPGA tour than the LET but what is consistent for both tours is that the players play the same holes as each other in that field or on tour and that one stroke in one event can make a substantial financial difference and boost a player into the higher echelons of the money list, despite the fact that their overall play throughout the season may have been poorer than that of players placed lower in the money tables. You think that this can’t happen? Look again!
Let’s take a couple of examples – at the top of the LET Money List as at the time of writing this blog is Germany’s Bettina Hauert. A talented player, an amiable person and a twice winner on the LET during 2007. Bettina’s official winnings are €216,998.10 and yet her stroke average position isn’t even in the top 30! Indeed, her stroke average figures for 2007 to date, of 73.42, places her in 40th position! In second place and some €2,241.53 adrift on €214,756.47 is Sophie Gustafson with a stroke average of 70.90. Okay, okay I know what you are going to say, Sophie Gustafson has played less events than Bettina and so it may not be so surprising that Sophie’s stroke average is 2.52 strokes better. Well, let’s first of all compare like with like (or a close as possible)…….Hauert has played 17 events, Gwladys Nocera of France 19 events, England’s Trish Johnson 18 events and Wales’ Becky Brewerton 18 events. Check out the performance tables below:
Official Money List
No. 1 - Bettina Hauert - €216,998.10
No. 4 – Trish Johnson - € 189,467.75
No. 6 - Gwladys Nocera - € 160,424.97
No. 8 – Becky Brewerton - € 135,785.93
Stroke Averages
No. 4 - Gwladys Nocera 72.17
No. 8 – Becky Brewerton 72.38
No. 9 - Trish Johnson 72.45
No. 40 – Bettina Hauert 73.42
The Solheim Cup standings are determined by points awarded through performance in events and not stroke averages, hence it is little wonder that Bettina Hauert made the Solheim Cup team and yet was probably the most inconsistent player (in stroke average terms) in the European team, with others like Rebecca Hudson with a stroke average of 72.69 and in 18th position losing out for her place in the team to a player in 40th place!
To take another example, check out the following statistics for the Rookie of the Year on the LET:
Money List
No 1. Louise Stahle - € 79,678.66
No. 22 Anne-Lise Caudal - € 6,354.31
Stroke Average
Louise Stahle - 72.58 (12th)
Anne-Lise Caudal - 75.57 (140th)
Interestingly, and again based solely on money earned, a surprise victory could place any of the top 22 first year tour players on the Rookie of the Year list into top position following the Dubai Ladies Masters, as the winner’s cheque for this one event alone is €75,000.
Surely if we want our players to truly improve their performances (as well as make more income) then we have to go some way to encouraging players to improve their stroke average – accepting that Sophie Gustafson is in a league of her own on 70.90 (but only over 21 rounds) there is less than a one stroke average margin between the second placed player, Catriona Matthew on 72.06 (18 rounds) and the 25th player Denmark’s Amanda Moltke-Leth on 73.00 (50 rounds).
Isn’t it high time that the tours took more notice of the stroke averages in determining who really merits awards at the end of the season, in an effort to improve the standard of play on the tour?
Check back in a few days time to read Part II on "Stroke Averages"
Friday, November 23, 2007
Is Ladies African Golf floundering?
In June 2006 ladies professional golf was thrilled to hear the announcement by Tania Fourie Tournament Director, in South Africa that a new Ladies African Tour was being formed and was launching a further 10 new events to compliment the four regular tour events of the WPGA of South Africa which were already in place.
Some 18 months on, in November 2007, the LAT very quietly published it's tour schedule for the coming 2008 season. To say the least, it is disappointing. Fourie's ambitions may have been temporarily rail-roaded but the fact is that, according to the tour's website, not all these regular four ex-WPGA events are fully confirmed and it appears that Fourie and her colleagues are struggling to put on a tour of any magnitude. No new sponsors have come forward as title sponsors during 2007 nor 2008 seasons and one has to question whether the commercial organisations in South Africa are really interested in backing the tour.
Admittedly, South Africa hosts the prestigious Women's World Cup of Golf at Sun City but this is considered to be more of an LPGA hosted event rather than an opening event to the Ladies African Tour. It goes without saying what is happening here, when the WWC event boasts a prize fund of $1.4m and yet none of the LAT 2008 scheduled events have yet agreed purses! Last year the biggest winner's cheque on the LAT schedule was the 48,000 SA Rand (eq €4,700) won by Spanish star Tania Elosegui in comparison with the WWC where last year the wiiners, Julieta Granada and Celeste Troche each walked away with €90,972.00.
This article is not a criticism of the Ladies African Tour nor any of its officials but merely an observation that unless commercial sponsors are already in place with minimum 3 year term contracts (never an easy task) or at least have given written letters of intent, then putting on a tour isn't as straight forward as one would imagine. If criticism is to be levied anywhere it should be aimed at the corporate businesses for their lack of support in what has become the world's fastest growing sport. There are some very big international corporate businesses located in South Africa and I have yet to see any real commitment from them to promote their businesses through ladies professional golf.....it's a big marketplace in which to promte their brands.....or perhaps the corporates just don't understand that golfing eyes are on South Africa during February and March each year? Chief Executives and Finance Directors alike, get out your cheque books and show some commitment towards the ladies professional circuit, and not just the Women's World Cup of Golf.
Some 18 months on, in November 2007, the LAT very quietly published it's tour schedule for the coming 2008 season. To say the least, it is disappointing. Fourie's ambitions may have been temporarily rail-roaded but the fact is that, according to the tour's website, not all these regular four ex-WPGA events are fully confirmed and it appears that Fourie and her colleagues are struggling to put on a tour of any magnitude. No new sponsors have come forward as title sponsors during 2007 nor 2008 seasons and one has to question whether the commercial organisations in South Africa are really interested in backing the tour.
Admittedly, South Africa hosts the prestigious Women's World Cup of Golf at Sun City but this is considered to be more of an LPGA hosted event rather than an opening event to the Ladies African Tour. It goes without saying what is happening here, when the WWC event boasts a prize fund of $1.4m and yet none of the LAT 2008 scheduled events have yet agreed purses! Last year the biggest winner's cheque on the LAT schedule was the 48,000 SA Rand (eq €4,700) won by Spanish star Tania Elosegui in comparison with the WWC where last year the wiiners, Julieta Granada and Celeste Troche each walked away with €90,972.00.
This article is not a criticism of the Ladies African Tour nor any of its officials but merely an observation that unless commercial sponsors are already in place with minimum 3 year term contracts (never an easy task) or at least have given written letters of intent, then putting on a tour isn't as straight forward as one would imagine. If criticism is to be levied anywhere it should be aimed at the corporate businesses for their lack of support in what has become the world's fastest growing sport. There are some very big international corporate businesses located in South Africa and I have yet to see any real commitment from them to promote their businesses through ladies professional golf.....it's a big marketplace in which to promte their brands.....or perhaps the corporates just don't understand that golfing eyes are on South Africa during February and March each year? Chief Executives and Finance Directors alike, get out your cheque books and show some commitment towards the ladies professional circuit, and not just the Women's World Cup of Golf.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Nuria Clau Column
The Management are delighted to announce that Spanish golf star Nuria Clau is soon to join the writing team of ladiesontour.com with her very own golf column, thereby bringing a valuable tour player's perspective to the news and issues surrounding ladies professional golf.
Nuria is a professional golfer based at Can Cuyàs Golf, near Barcelona. She started playing golf at age 10 in Reus Aigüesverds Golf, and little by little, what started as a weekend family hobby became something more. As a junior, she represented her club, the region, Catalunya, and her country, Spain. Thanks to the Catalan and Spanish Federations’ support, she had the opportunity to practice daily and compete nationally and internationally. Having finished high school, she received a scholarship to study at Wake Forest University, in North Carolina, USA where she spent four years practicing and competing with the best international players of her age. In May 2003 Nuria graduated Magna Cum Laude in Mathematical Business, and decided to turn professional.
Nuria has played the Ladies European Tour, the WPGA in South Africa and the Telia Tour. In a frank and open column, Nuria will pull no punches about the good and bad of playing on the ladies professional circuits, she will offer advice to those visitors/readers to ladiesontour.com and she shall answer questions and offer her views about all manner of golf related topics. If you have any specific questions that you would like Nuria to address, then please send them via the Contact Us section of ladiesontour.com - with Nuria Clau Column in the heading - thank you.
We look forward to welcoming Nuria to the team shortly.
The News Release has been brought to you by ladiesontour.com in association with AR Almerimar Hotel & Golf Resort and Tarleton Golf.
Ladiesontour.com, announces 2 new strategic corporate partnerships.
Ladiesontour.com the only golf portal truly dedicated to covering and supporting all the ladies professional golf tours throughout the world, today formally announced that it has agreed Corporate Partnership terms with both AR Almerimar Hotel & Golf Resort on the southern coast of Spain and the UK and Spanish based Tarleton Group through their Tarleton Golf brand.
These corporate partnerships are an important strategic move by ladiesontour.com and their
respective partners in their efforts to grow and promote ladies amateur and professional golf throughout the world and to help consolidate ladiesontour.com’s position as the number one independent online ladies golf support facility and resource centre for players and fans alike.
Whilst AR Almerimar Hotel and Golf Resort already work closely with Tarleton Golf, the Corporate Partnership arrangement with ladiesontour.com will enable the three partners to compliment each other’s respective strengths to provide some exciting new developments in ladies golf.
AR Almerimar Hotel and Golf Resort boasts a 4 star hotel with a further 5 star golf hotel presently under construction, and Campo de Golf Almerimar, a 27 hole golf course designed by Gary Player and Peter Kirby, the first 18 holes of which was originally opened in 1976. The Golf Course combines water hazards and palm tress, with wide fairways and lush vegetation and a great test of golf for players of all abilities and standards.
The coastal resort of Almerimar sits approx 30 minutes from Almeria Airport on the southern Spanish coast and overlooking the Mediterranean and apart from golf it caters for horse-riding, tennis and a wide selection of water-sports.
Tarleton Golf is a brand name for part of the Tarleton Group, better known for it’s 30 plus years involvement as a highly successful travel operator, renowned for bringing holiday makers and latterly golfers to the Almeria Province of southern Spain.
Tarleton celebrated in September this year the 10th anniversary of its Golf Festival Week with 120 players competing in golf events at Campo de Golf Almerimar, La Envia and Playa Serena for the prized Tarleton Trophy. The combined brands of Tarleton Golf and the European school of Golf provide specialist golf trips which offer a wide variety of golfing activities. These include tuition and competition weeks as well as golfing breaks for individuals and groups. These unique golf events attract people from Norway, Sweden, and Holland, Ireland and all over the UK as well as Spanish residents who love to join in these fantastic weeks on their own doorstep.
Tarleton Golf’s Head Professional, former European Tour player, Denise Hastings and an international group of high profile lady golf professionals are joined by such well known names as ex Ryder Cup player George Will and former Solheim Cup Captain, Mickey Walker to provide coaching and competition weeks of the highest order. Ladies golf is a major part of Tarleton’s programme and the partnership with Ladiesontour.com and AR Almerimar resorts will only reinforce their core strengths.
Says Steve Homer, Principal of Ladiesontour.com “This is an exciting time for ladies golf, be it amateur level or top rank professional, and I am delighted that the corporate partnerships agreed with AR Almerimar Hotel Golf Resort and Tarleton Golf can enable ladiesontour.com to continue to play a significant part in its growth in future. The future looks rosy for ladies golf”.
Further details of the Corporate Partnership and full details on each of the corporate partners can shortly be found on www.ladiesontour.com
These corporate partnerships are an important strategic move by ladiesontour.com and their
respective partners in their efforts to grow and promote ladies amateur and professional golf throughout the world and to help consolidate ladiesontour.com’s position as the number one independent online ladies golf support facility and resource centre for players and fans alike.Whilst AR Almerimar Hotel and Golf Resort already work closely with Tarleton Golf, the Corporate Partnership arrangement with ladiesontour.com will enable the three partners to compliment each other’s respective strengths to provide some exciting new developments in ladies golf.
AR Almerimar Hotel and Golf Resort boasts a 4 star hotel with a further 5 star golf hotel presently under construction, and Campo de Golf Almerimar, a 27 hole golf course designed by Gary Player and Peter Kirby, the first 18 holes of which was originally opened in 1976. The Golf Course combines water hazards and palm tress, with wide fairways and lush vegetation and a great test of golf for players of all abilities and standards.The coastal resort of Almerimar sits approx 30 minutes from Almeria Airport on the southern Spanish coast and overlooking the Mediterranean and apart from golf it caters for horse-riding, tennis and a wide selection of water-sports.
Tarleton Golf is a brand name for part of the Tarleton Group, better known for it’s 30 plus years involvement as a highly successful travel operator, renowned for bringing holiday makers and latterly golfers to the Almeria Province of southern Spain.
Tarleton celebrated in September this year the 10th anniversary of its Golf Festival Week with 120 players competing in golf events at Campo de Golf Almerimar, La Envia and Playa Serena for the prized Tarleton Trophy. The combined brands of Tarleton Golf and the European school of Golf provide specialist golf trips which offer a wide variety of golfing activities. These include tuition and competition weeks as well as golfing breaks for individuals and groups. These unique golf events attract people from Norway, Sweden, and Holland, Ireland and all over the UK as well as Spanish residents who love to join in these fantastic weeks on their own doorstep.
Tarleton Golf’s Head Professional, former European Tour player, Denise Hastings and an international group of high profile lady golf professionals are joined by such well known names as ex Ryder Cup player George Will and former Solheim Cup Captain, Mickey Walker to provide coaching and competition weeks of the highest order. Ladies golf is a major part of Tarleton’s programme and the partnership with Ladiesontour.com and AR Almerimar resorts will only reinforce their core strengths.Says Steve Homer, Principal of Ladiesontour.com “This is an exciting time for ladies golf, be it amateur level or top rank professional, and I am delighted that the corporate partnerships agreed with AR Almerimar Hotel Golf Resort and Tarleton Golf can enable ladiesontour.com to continue to play a significant part in its growth in future. The future looks rosy for ladies golf”.
Further details of the Corporate Partnership and full details on each of the corporate partners can shortly be found on www.ladiesontour.com
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