Parkstone to host 2019 European Ladies’ Championship
One of the top events in women’s amateur golf is coming to England in 2019.
Parkstone, in Dorset, will host the European Ladies’ Championship from July 24 to 27.
The champion will get a coveted place in the Ricoh Women’s British Open. Past winners include Bronte Law last year.
Among the other title holders are a host of Solheim Cup players including 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 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 Michael Sawicki, Parkstone’s general manager.
Work over recent years has included improvements to bunkers and tree removal to reveal the course’s heathland nature.
Tweaks will also be made to the short 16th by the time the championship is held. A field of 144 will play 54 holes before it 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. It follows the European Ladies’ Team championship, in 2013, and this summer’s European Amateur Championship at Walton Heath.
“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 Crampton.
Caddies are weird: My ode to the humble bagman
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
