S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe...2007

(Llanelli, Wales - Sunday, 19 August 2007) – Australia ’s Joanne Mills fought through strong winds and drizzling rain to capture her second Ladies European Tour title at the S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe.

The 20-year Tour veteran posted rounds of 70, 68, 71 and a final round of 73 at Machynys Peninsula Golf Club in Llanelli to finish on a total of six-under-par, one stroke ahead of Germany ’s Bettina Hauert and England ’s Georgina Simpson.

Mills, who has been in contention a number of times this season, won her previous LET title a decade ago at the 1997 German Open. The 37-year-old from Sydney was delighted to have won her second Tour title and a first prize of £52,500.

“I can’t believe it. It’s taken me ten years to have another win on the LET. I never thought it would take this long, but it has,” said Mills, who began the final round in a tie for the lead with Simpson and England ’s Rebecca Hudson.

The S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe returns, for the third year running, to Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club, near Llanelli.

The event will be played between the 16th and 19th August 2007 where top names in European women's golf will be battling it out for a share of the £350,000 prize fund.

S4C will sponsor the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe for the next four years, as part of its on-going support of Welsh golf.

The tournament, supported by Carmarthenshire County Council, is part of the Ryder Cup Wales "Summer of Golf” programme; a series of events played throughout Wales, promoting Wales as a golfing destination in the lead up to The 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport.

Defending Champion Linda Wessberg from Sweden will be gunning to retain her title but will not have an easy ride and will be pitted against a strong Welsh contingent including Becky Brewerton, Eleanor Pilgrim and Becky Morgan.

Familiar names who will be spicing up the international flavour of the tournament will be past Solheim Cup players Gwladys Nocera from France, Denmark's Iben Tinning. Previous winners include Shani Waugh and England's Trish Johnson. 

The hosting of the 2007 S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe is just the culmination of one Welsh golf club's commitment to developing the sport amongst women golfers – so say the managers at Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club in Carmarthenshire who welcome the event to West Wales 16-19 August.

The Club will host the Championship for the third year running this year and Europe's leading female golfers will be competing for a share of the £350,000 prize fund, one of the highest on the Ladies European Tour.

Mark Reed, General Manager and Director of Coaching says that hosting the event significantly raises the profile of Machynys to important audiences.

"But I must point out that Machynys prides itself on welcoming lady golfers and visitors all year round, this event is not just a one-off effort.

 The Club is very proud of its growing list of lady members and visitors and of the complete package it offers to ladies of all abilities” he said.

"When we host a prestigious event, like this, we're pleased to receive positive feed-back from world-class players but, equally, development of the womens' game at grass roots level is as important.”

Mark says that the aspects of golf that have put ladies off learning the game as a novice in the past, such as course etiquette and rules, are all addressed in special ladies-only group golf lessons, where the emphasis is on fun and informality followed by coffee and banter!

All aspects of the game are covered, from woods and irons shots to chipping and putting. As a result, the female membership at Machynys is growing, as more women and girls take up the game. They realise that golf can be fun, provide a great way to keep fit and make new friends.

"For Machynys, identification with the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe enhances the Club's relationship with the women's game" said Ryder Cup Wales Chief Executive, Rob Holt.

Promising that the winning of the bid to host the Ryder Cup in 2010 would leave Wales with a lasting golfing legacy, Ryder Cup Wales Ltd. undertook to attract and manage a world class series of golf events in Wales each summer and the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe which, this year, is sponsored by S4C, is one of the signature contracts.

 "At this club, in particular, however", he added "very real efforts are made to further fulfil Wales's bid commitments, to attract women and girls to the game and to make them feel welcome when they become involved. Wales is leading the world in promoting golf as an egalitarian sport and clubs like Machynys are at the forefront."

The S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe will take place at Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club in Carmarthenshire during 16-19 August. For complimentary tickets and further information, please contact Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Ltd. on 02920 475426