Former world number one and current Australian Women's Open champion Laura Davies is bound forCanberra. Davies, a great supporter of Australian Ladies Professional Golf and its events, has agreed to contest the inaugural $125,000 ACTEWAGL Royal Canberra Ladies Classic to be played from January 29-31. An official order of merit event, the field will be limited to 78 female professionals.
The Classic is the first in a series of five major tournaments to be played over a seven-week period on the ALPG schedule. Other events include the Bing Lee Women's NSW Open, Pegasus New Zealand Women's Open, ANZ Ladies Masters and the Women's Australian Open.
Local professional and Royal Canberra member, Nikki Campbell will most certainly be one of the favourites to take the title. Campbell is coming off her most successful year on the demanding LPGA of Japan Tour. She recently defeated Japanese superstar Ai Miyazato in a playoff at the Fujitsu Ladies tournament. It was Campbell's second victory and puts her 12th on the money list with more than $542,000. "I was extremely excited when I was told about the pro-am being elevated from a one day pro-am to a three-3-day tournament," she said.
Campbell will be looking to take advantage of her local knowledge when she takes on 2009 ANZ Masters champion Katherine Hull, LPGA players Sarah Kemp and Sarah-Jane Smith and Ladies European Tour multiple winners Nikki Garrett, Karen Lunn and Joanne Mills - all confirmed starter.
Hull said she was excited to be playing in Canberra for the first time. "I haven't played Royal Canberra before, but I've heard so many great things about the course," the Queenslander said.
Davies, who has won more than 70 tournaments worldwide and was presented with life membership of the ALPG last year, said she was looking forward to playing in Canberra. "I've have been playing for Aussie events for over 10 years now and always look forward to the trip," she said. "I haven't been to Canberra before and always enjoy seeing new places and playing different events when the schedule allows."
ALPG chief executive officer Warren Sevil said the new event was a real boost for the ALPG Tour and women's professional golf.
