LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR

(Castellon, Spain)

Defending champion Nikki Garrett and 2008 ALPG Tour Order of Merit runner-up, Joanne Mills, have finished in a tie for second place, four shots behind first time winner, Sweden's Emma Zackrisson at the Ladies Spanish Open, Sunday.

The first full field event on the 2008 Ladies European Tour was played in strong winds for the first three days before the final round dealt heavy rain, thunder, lightning, delays and eventual sunshine before the five year veteran Zackrisson secured her maiden victory. Taking a four shot lead into the final round, the Swede was expected to feel the pressure, not having previously won and with a host of experienced tournament winners chasing her. She handled the pressure and conditions unfazed, however, posting nine consecutive pars to remain two in front of Mills, before the weather delay.

On resumption a nervous bogey at the 13th was the only mistake as she went on to post birdies at the 15th and final holes to cruise to a four shot win, and the $69,000 winner's cheque.

“This win means everything to me,” said Zackrisson, who returned to LET Qualifying School in October after five years on Tour. “I was thinking about quitting after this year because I’ve been having a really hard time out there for the last three years. This has changed that I think!”

“I did not expect this coming in. This was so unexpected and I’m so, so happy,” she said. “I played so well and it felt so easy for me, really. Everything just worked. I’d been struggling for so long and finally it all came together. It’s unbelievable.

“I couldn’t relax until after the tee shot on 18. That’s when I finally thought maybe I could make this. You never know what is going to happen.”
Mills (74, 73, 67, 71 – 285) and Garrett (75, 70, 71 69 – 285) shared second place with Italy's Diana Luna. Rookies Frances Bondad and Dana Lacey both made impressive starts to their first full time assault on the Ladies European Tour finishing T16 and T18, respectively.

The LET will take a one week break before heading to the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at The Carrick on Loch Lomond from 1-3 May.

LPGA

• 4TH CONSECUTIVE WIN FOR OCHOA
(Reunion, Florida)

World number one Lorena Ochoa has claimed her fourth consecutive win, fifth for the season, with a three shot win at the Ginn Championship in Florida today.

Ochoa posted rounds of 68, 67, 65, and 69 for a 19 under par total which bettered the previous tournament record (Mi Hyun Kim) by seven shots. As the Mexican continues to rewrite the record books, she now joins Mickey Wright, Kathy Whitworth and Annika Sorenstam in the category of most consecutive wins in scheduled events and with her US$390,000 winner's cheque has raced to $1.635 million earnings for the year, more than one million dollars ahead of her nearest chaser, Annika Sorenstam.

Sunday's final round would prove to be a two woman battle, as Ochoa and Tseng distanced themselves from the field. Ochoa took a one stroke lead into the final round and knew the extremely talented Tseng was capable of sustaining the challenge. When Tseng eagled the par 5 10th hole, she closed the gap to be just one stroke behind. The challenge would however be short lived. Bogies at the 13th, 15th and 17th holes put an end to her chances as Ochoa played the back nine in steady par figures and cruised in with a three shot buffer. Tied for third place, five shots behind Tseng, were Suzann Pettersen and Teresa Lu.

Ochoa, who will take a well earned rest next week, was understandably delighted with her continued form and was asked whether there was room in her house for all the trophies. "You know, for sure it was a great day today. It was different. I think it was a tough back nine, and yes I have another big trophy. I don't know. I'm going to ask my mommy where should we put it?"

She was also very complimentary when asked her opinion of the impressive rookie, Tseng."I was very impressed. She was very nice. We talked a lot. Her English is great. Being 19 years old, it's very impressive. The way she hits the ball, how aggressive she is. So I congratulate her, and I also told her that I'm going to see her many Sundays, so it should be something nice."

Best of the Australian contingent was Lindsey Wright who finished in a tie for 17th following rounds of 69, 71, 70 & 73. Wright remains the highest ranked Australian at 14th on the 2008 LPGA Official Money List. Rachel Hetherington (T35), Karrie Webb (T38), Sarah Kemp (T57) and Wendy Doolan (T71) all made good cheques in the tournament which offers the third highest purse on the LPGA schedule. Katherine Hull and Jan Stephenson missed the cut by one and two shots respectively.


LPGA OF JAPAN

•BABA ACES HER WAY TO VICTORY
(Kumamoto, Japan)
Yukari Baba made a hole-in-one on the 13th hole on her way to a three-shot victory at the Life Card Ladies tournament and her second career title on Sunday.

Baba shot a final round 4 under par 68 to finish at 9-under par for her first title since the 2004 Yonex Ladies. Shinobu Moromizato and Midori Yoneyama tied for second at Kumamoto Kuko Country Club. The leading three players were tied after eleven holes before Baba birdied the par four 12th hole and then proceeded to hole out with a five iron on the 188 yard par 3 13th hole.

"I couldn't believe it," Baba said of the ace after her round that also featured four birdies and two bogeys. I had told myself to just keep trying and I would be able to win someday," Baba said. "I want to use this victory as a stepping stone and try to pick up more wins."

Nikki Campbell (T35) and Tamie Durdin (T47) both made the cut but finished well out of contention.

(Coraki, NSW)

Joanne Mills capped a great 2007-2008 season with a win at the ALPG Tour's season ending Optus World Coraki Golf Club Pro-Am today.

Following her best season on the European Tour which included a win at the Wales Championship of Europe, and her recent tied fifth placing at the MFS Women's Australian Open, Mills fired a solid even par round of 73 for a one shot win over Karen Lunn and Suzie Fisher.

In the Northern rivers township which had just six weeks ago endured record rainfalls, leaving it flooded and isolated, players faced a difficult test on a long and soft layout with slow and grainy couch greens.

Playing in the afternoon groupings, Mills was one of the favoured players in a strong field which included Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera, the 2006 Ladies European Tour Money List winner, ALPG Tour Club Car Series winner, Vicky Thomas, former British Open Champion Karen Lunn, and multiple winnner, Shani Waugh.

Fisher, a "local" from nearby Coffs Harbour, posted the best morning score with a one over par, 74, a score which would stand on top of the leaderboard for five hours, until Mills finished with a solid one bogey, one birdie round late in the afternoon. Lunn followed thirty minutes later, unable to snare the crucial birdie putts to challenge Mills' score and had to settle with a tied runner-up finish with Fisher.

Nocera got off to a disastrous start with a double bogey six at the opening hole but then managed hold her round together, finishing on 2 over par and in a tie for 4th with four other players - Tamara Hyett, Nancy Harvey, Leah Hart and Polly Travica.

Picture: Joanne Mills with Optus World's John Welch and Coraki Golf Club President, Mark Scurr

England's Lisa Hall is the 2008 ANZ Ladies Masters Champion after Korean, Shin Hyun Ju, missed a one metre par saving putt at the 72nd hole which would have forced a playoff to decide the title.

Hall is a player good enough to have been Rookie of the Year on the USLPGA Tour in the mid 1990’s and twice a Solheim Cup representative but after a year off in 2005 she is rebuilding her career. Part of that rebuilding process had involved two victories on the Ladies European Tour in 2007 and her experience and class showed in what was a brilliant final round. It was a bogey free, six birdie round, perhaps the most important coming at the 16th which allowed her to join Shin in the lead at 13 under. She had another chance at the 17th which she missed but made a solid two putt par at the last to leave Shin the task of making par at the last to force the playoff. She couldn’t and the title was Hall’s

40 year old Hall quit golf for a year in 2005 after reaching a point where she had missed all 16 cuts on the LPGA Tour in 2004 and had been unable get the ball airborne. “I had actually applied for a job as a teaching professional but when I missed out that was probably telling me something,” said Hall after her win.

It had been her husband Martin Hall, who coaches amongst others Morgan Pressel, who encouraged Hall to return to the game, but it might have been a visit to the casino on the Gold Coast this week that encouraged her to believe that she could win this week. “We (her caddy Mardi Lunn and Hall) walked into the Casino on Tuesday night and I went for my lucky number 11 and up it came,” said Hall after her win. “It has become a bit of a private joke all week between us that Tuesday night had been an omen. I actually played quite well last week in Melbourne but finished 17th after just two or three bad holes so was playing well coming here.”

Shin was devastated after her last hole demise but she bravely faced the media.
Understandably there were tears in her eyes after threatening all day to win the
David and Goliath battle between her and the game’s big hitters. One of the shortest hitters in the field, Shin’s play had been immaculate, hitting some marvellous fairway woods to close range on many holes and playing an incredibly disciplined round of golf. She can be proud of the way she handled her game on this big hitters’ golf course, and the way she fronted the media at what was clearly a difficult time for her.

“The putt at the last was a poor stroke,” she said via an interpreter, referring to the one metre putt she pulled to cost her a playoff appearance. “I first came to Australia at the age of 13 and so much wanted to win this tournament in this country. There was a lot of pressure today playing with such a great player as Karrie but while I am disappointed I am also very proud,” she added. “I did enjoy playing with Karrie today.”

Third place was shared by the 20 year old Englishwoman Felicity Johnson and Sweden’s Louise Stahle. Johnson produced the best round of the final day finishing with 65 to record her best finish as a professional.

Defending champion Karrie Webb finished fifth after taking the lead with an eagle at the third. Her driving let her down as it had done on Saturday but she had again contended and played a key role in the ANZ ladies Masters again attracting big crowds to witness her attempt to become the champion her for the 7th occasion.

(Royal Pines Resort, Queensland)

As had been the case on day one of the 2008 ANZ Ladies Masters, the early leaders remained there all day, although this time they would be joined late in the afternoon by the pre-tournament favourite and six time winner, Karrie Webb.
Australian Tamie Durdin and Korean Shin Hyun-Ju finished their second rounds as many of those more favoured to win the event, including Webb were only just heading out in their second rounds.

The one lady amongst the afternoon group who most thought would challenge the leaders on day two, Webb, did just that and timed her run to perfection by holing a 16 foot putt at the last to join the morning pair in the lead, in doing so set up an intriguing final day. While the three players who share the lead have a cushion, it is a narrow one, and with twenty players within three shots of the lead it will be a ‘race to the first turn’ tomorrow to see who can make an immediate statement in the final round.

“That is the three rounds verses four situation,” said Webb after her round referring to the congested nature of the leaderboard. “The winner tomorrow is going to have to go low. It was a different wind out there, in fact in the 16 years I have been coming here I don’t remember a wind from this direction. I am really pleased to have shot five under but my driving is still not great and might even work a little on that this afternoon. It got a little better on the back nine but it was poor through the first nine holes.”

The 28 year old Shin who shares the lead at eight under, plies her trade on the Japan LPGA Tour and has won twice there in four years. Her game is built around consistency and finesse rather than power and to some extent she is out of place on a golf course more suited to the bigger hitters. With her fine round of 67 however she has created a great opportunity for herself in tomorrow’s final round although her lack of power might yet count against her in the closing stages of the event.

The Queensland based South Australian, Durdin, finished in the group ahead of Shin and she was producing her own heroics. Durdin has often played well in this event and in her post round press conference she was quick to point out that she had remembered being in that very seat the previous year after two rounds.

She had been but went on to finish 22nd. Durdin’s round of 67 today included a double bogey at the 4th after blocking her tee shot right and being forced to take a drop. Despite that hiccup she put together seven birdies in all and as the morning field completed their rounds she and Shin shared the lead at eight under.

Taiwan’s Ya-Ni Tseng and English golfer Lisa Hall are in a share of fourth at 7 under and just one back of the leaders. Tseng has been 5th and 3rd in this event in previous starts and has recently finished 6th at the USLPGA Tour’s qualifying school. She is a class player whose powerful game is suited by Royal Pines and it would not surprise to see her add this title to her victories on the Asian LPGA Tour in 2007 and perhaps even more impressive performance when she finished 6th at the Canadian Open last year. At the LPGA’s Canadian Open she double bogeyed the last hole to cost her the chance of second money but she had shown that she was undaunted playing at the higher level and this event and its field should hold no fears for her.

Hall, a previous Rookie of the Year on the USLPGA Tour, returned to competitive golf on the Ladies European Tour in 2007 and won twice. The 40 year old is an experienced campaigner and might yet be the dark horse in the event.

Webb’s record on this golf course needs little in the way of expanding. She is looking for her 7th win in eleven starts since 1998 and has created the opportunity to do just that. The world number three found a way to make it happen last week at Kingston Heath and is well poised to win the two main events in Australian women’s golf in consecutive years.

With twenty players within three shots of the lead and 12 nationalities represented amongst that group tomorrow promises to be another special Sunday at the ANZ Ladies Masters.

The cut fell at even par.

Karrie Webb Picture courtesy Tristan Jones - Ladies European Tour

The opening round of the ANZ Ladies Masters finally got underway on a fine breezy morning at Royal Pines Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast, those out in the morning able to capitalise on a golf course that while still drying out from the deluge of rain, was still able to offer outstanding scoring conditions.

At the end of the first day’s play it was one of those out in the very first group of the day, New South Wales' Nikki Garrett, who would take a one shot lead into round two. Garrett's round of 67 leaves her just ahead of a large group of ten at four under par 68, only three of those from the afternoon group.

After her morning round of 69, the pre tournament favourite, Karrie Webb, suggested she would be very surprised in anyone could equal or better the round of Garrett’s on day one and she was right. “The wind is tricky out there and it seems to be getting stronger,” she said when she finished her round. Webb struggled early in her round before a back nine rally left her at three under par and she is very much in the hunt. “It was an ugly round and in the end I am happy with three under,” she added.

Garrett was a two time winner on the Ladies European Tour in 2007 and despite failing in her attempt to get status on the LPGA Tour in 2008 she is considered by many to be one of Australia’s brightest prospects. Much of the marketing of the female game in Australia in recent times has featured Garrett and her very impressive start further vindicates that promotion.

There is a large group of ten players within one shot of the lead those players including a lady considered by many to be a good chance to extend her excellent record at Royal Pines, Ya-Ni (Ruby) Tseng. Tseng has finished 5th and third here in her last two visits and now with a USLPGA Tour card she appears on the verge of a great career in the game. Her powerful game suits the Royal Pines layout and the current conditions well and she is expected to be a contender over the next few days.

Also at four under 68 are the outstanding West Australian amateur talent, Kristie Smith who last week led into the weekend at the MFS Women's Australian Open before finishing in a share of 5th. She is one of two amateurs on 68, the other the 18 year old South Australian Stephanie Na who was a semi finalist at the Australian Amateur Championship in 2007 and an Australian representative in the same year.

Others at four under 68 are Vicky Thomas , winner of the ALPGA Tour's recent Club Car Series, England’s Lisa Hall and Johanna Head, semi retired West Australian, Shani Waugh, Toowoomba’s Leah Hart and Spain’s Tania Elosegui.

Another 14 players are one shot further back and they include the aforementioned Webb, Australian number two, Rachel Hetherington and Amy Yang. 18 year old Yang included a quadruple bogey 8 in her remarkable round of 69, bouncing back from the disaster at her 15th hole to birdie two of her last three to be well placed despite her horror hole. The 2006 champion is nearing the end of her time on the Gold Coast where she attended high school and a second victory this weekend would be a great parting gift. The manner in which she played today gives every indication that such is not out of the question.

It appears that the cut will fall at around even par tomorrow with 67 players at even par or better as play drew to a close on day one.

Picture: Nikki Garrett Tees Off - courtesy Tristan Jones - Ladies European Tour

(Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast)

Despite the loss of the opening day of the 2008 ANZ Ladies Masters, the event will get underway tomorrow (Friday) the tournament now reduced to 54 holes.

The tournament is being played for the 19th consecutive year with all but two of those nineteen events having been played at Royal Pines Resort situated in the rapidly expanding Carrara region.

More than 9 inches of rain has fallen in the Gold Coast region in the last five days, a late storm on Wednesday the straw that broke the camel’s back in terms of retaining the event in its original 72 hole format.

The greens are not the real concern with most raised sufficiently above the fairways to allow the good sub surface drainage to take effect, the only real problem likely to be the fairways which have absorbed a lot of water in recent days. It may be that lift clean and place will be in effect in the opening two rounds at least.

The tournament has attracted a similar field this week to that which played in last week’s MFS Australian Women’s Open although one or two additions and withdrawals change the dynamic of the event slightly.

In are Japan’s Ai Miyazato and Taiwan’s Tseng Ya-Ni while out is the third round leader at the Australian Open, Lindsey Wright. Wright made the decision to not play this event as she feels the scheduling of the LPGA Tour events in Singapore and elsewhere over the next few weeks would result in her having too many weeks in succession if she was to play this week’s event.

Miyazato takes her place in the field with the credentials to do well given her standing in world golf and as a multiple winner on the Japan Golf Tour. Now a regular on the LPGA Tour Miyazato has perhaps disappointed her many fans worldwide in her first two seasons in the US but she is slowly but surely establishing herself there, her runner up finish at the HSBC World Match Play Championship to Seon Hwa Lee last year proof of that. Miyazato finished runner up to this week’s pre-tournament favourite Karrie Webb at Royal Pines three years ago and after several weeks working on her game with her coaches in Arizona she arrives prepared for a big week. “My driving was not good late last year and that is the part of the game that I have worked on improving,” she said in a pre tournament press conference.

Tseng is arguably one of the World’s most exciting young talents. Still only 19, Tseng has already left her mark at Royal Pines having finished fifth and third in her last two visits to the Gold Coast, and jointly holding the course record (63) at Royal Pines. She has also recently gained her USLPGA Tour card and appears destined for a big rookie season there in 2008.

Webb is shooting for her seventh title in her last eleven starts in the event and in addition she has been runner up on two other occasions during that time. Webb was also runner up in two earlier appearances at Royal Pines making her record at this event one of the greatest of any golfer at any event in golf. The 33 year old arrives at Royal Pines with a stunning come from behind victory at the Australian Open foremost in her thoughts and, give her intimate knowledge of Royal Pines she, perhaps more than any other player, will be unaffected by the lack of pre tournament preparation.

Korean Shin Jai-Yi finished runner up to Webb in this event last year and at the Australian Open last week. The multiple winner of events in Korea, took her game to another level in 2007 when she finished third at the Evian Masters and sixth at the US Women’s Open, outstanding finishes in the two most lucrative events in the women’s game. Shin will likely play six events on the LPGA Tour in 2008 along with around twenty in her home country but first she has a score to settle with her nemesis in recent times, Webb. “I didn’t mind being beaten last week as I played well and lost to a great player and to finish second to her here last year was no disgrace but I might get upset if I finish second to her again this week,” said Shin via an interpreter yesterday. It was perhaps a ‘tongue in cheek’ comment but it is clear that Shin is determined to go one better this week.

Sakura Yokomine is another from the top twenty in the world who adds strength to the field and, after finishing second on the Japan LPGA Tour money list in 2007, she adds further Japanese interest to that offered by Miyzato’s presence.

Previous three time winner of this event at this venue, Laura Davies, is expected to do better this week than was the case at last week’s Australian Open. A golf course lengthened by the soft and receptive fairways this week should aid her cause.

Melissa Reid is another English golfer expected to draw her share of attention after the brilliant play over the weekend last week in Melbourne. The British Stroke Play Champion is just three months into her professional career but she possesses one of the female game’s great golf swings and her follow up performance this week will be watched with interest.

Also providing much interest this week are the many young Australian players who are on the verge of taking the next step in the game. Sarah Kemp, Nikki Garrett, Dana Lacey and Frances Bondad are just a few of the newcomers who could stake a claim this week along with the established Australians such as Rachel Hetherington, Nikki Campbell, Tamie Durdin and Michelle Ellis. New Zealander Sarah Nicholson is also a player many consider to have a considerable future in the game.

(Royal Pines Resort)

Heavy rains have forced the abandonement of the first round of the 2008 ANZ Ladies Masters.

Torrential afternoon rainfall dumped two inches of rain in just one hour, leaving officials with no choice but to cancel tomorrow's play. On a couse which had already taken eight inches of rain over the past five days, officials decided it would not be possible to prepare the golf course for play which was due to commence at 6:40am tomorrow morning.

The tournament has been reduced to a 54 hole event with round one to commence on Friday.

(Kingston Heath Golf Club, Melbourne, Sunday 3rd February 2008)

Karrie Webb retained the MFS Women's Australian Open title in sensational style at Kingston Heath Golf Club on Sunday after a stunning finish which saw her fight back from a two shot deficit with three holes to play, then claim the title with a birdie at the second hole of a sudden death play-off.

Webb defeated Ji-Yai Shin from South Korea after both players finished tied on eight-under-par 284 in regulation.

Webb rolled in a twelve foot birdie putt at the par-four 18th hole to take her fourth national title. She previously won the event in 2000, 2002 and 2007.

Both Shin and Webb carded six-under-par 67s in the final round of the championship, scores which tied for the lowest of the week.

Webb admitted that she hadn't expected to have to shoot 67 to win the tournament, but she came from two strokes behind Shin with three holes to play to tie for the lead.

She birdied the 16th and 17th holes, before giving herself a chance to take the championship with a 12 foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole.

The ball rolled past the left lip of the cup, denying Webb the victory in regulation, but it did help her to read the line of the putt when it came to the second hole in the play-off.

"The first time I played the 18th in regulation I hit it (the putt) actually where I thought but it broke so much more"ť Webb explained. "On the second play-off hole I couldn't see the break so I just had to trust it."

When Webb saw that Shin, playing in the penultimate group, was leading by two shots, the World No.3 admitted that she had to step up.

"When I got to the 15th green I hadnt seen a leader board for quite a while so it was quite surprising to see that I was two shots behind and I had to put myself in another gear"ť said the 33-year-old winner of 45 tournaments worldwide.

"I knew Shin wasn't going to make any mistakes coming in and I needed to birdie at least two of the last three holes, which I managed to do. I guess the old girl still has plenty of petrol in the tank."ť

Webb recorded seven birdies and one bogey in her final round, as did the runner-up, 19-year-old Shin.

Webb and Shin began the day at two-under-par, a stroke behind the overnight leader Australian Lindsey Wright.

Shin shared the lead with Webb after nine holes, but fired four birdies in six holes from the 10th on the back nine to reach eight-under-par.

The Korean World No.7 thought that she might have secured the championship when she returned to the scorer's hut, but watched on the television as Webb mounted a fight back.

"Because I was two ahead I thought I might have won but because there was a lot of golf left, I wasn't sure."ť Shin said through an interpreter, adding that she would have increased confidence for next week's ANZ Ladies Masters ion the Gold Coast..

English rookie Melissa Reid finished in outright third position on four-under-par 288 after a final round of three-under-par 70, which was a superb effort in her first tournament of the year.


South Korean teenager Amy Yang, the 2006 ANZ Ladies Masters champion, finished in fourth place on two under par after a final round of 70, with five players on one-under-par in a share of fifth place.

They included Wright the overnight leader who carded a 75, the leading amateur and second round leader Kristie Smith, who had a 73, as well as the 2007 S4C Wales Ladies championship winner Joanne Mills, who had a superb 68. Also on one-under-par were Japan's Yuki Sakurai and South Korean Na Yeon Choi, who both had 69s.

Courtesy Ladies European Tour - Pic Tristan Jones, LET

(Kingston Heath, Melbourne)

Retired ALPG professional Fiona Pike will today launch a new campaign at the MFS Women's Australian Open, aimed at raising awareness amongst professional golfers about the dangers of excessive sun exposure.

Fiona, from Adelaide, was diagnosed with potentially deadly melanoma in 2005 after retiring from her 13 year professional golfing career.

Pro golfers follow the summer sun across the globe and rarely experience a winter. Our cumulative exposure to the sun means we face a significantly higher risk of developing skin cancer,” she said.

“I want to take the message to golfers that this is mostly a preventable disease if people cover up when in the sun with broad brimmed hats, sunglasses, clothing and SPF 30+sunscreen, and find shade whenever possible.”

All players will wear a badge marking the launch of The Fiona Pike skin cancer awareness campaign during the first day of play at the MFS Women’s Australian Open at Kingston in Melbourne.

As part of the campaign The Cancer Council SA, in conjunction with Fiona Pike will launch a new information brochure designed specifically for professional golfers and their caddies. The brochure provides tips for being SunSmart while on the course and advice on early detection of skin cancers.

“Golfers have to play regardless of the ultraviolet radiation levels, but there are steps they can take to reduce the risk of sun damage,” Fiona said.

“These may include having their caddies carry an umbrella which can provide shade in between holes and reapplying sunscreen when having a drink, are important tips.”

The Cancer Council SA SunSmart Coordinator Joanne Rayner said that golfers, like many outdoor workers, faced significantly higher risks of developing skin cancer.

“One in two Australians will develop skin cancer and we know that for outdoor workers that rate is even higher,” she said.

“Most skin cancer can be prevented, but also monitoring changes to the skin is crucial for an early diagnosis. If caught early enough, people face a good prognosis.

“Golfers, along with the general public, should be checking their skin regularly and
making an appointment with their GP if they notice any skin changes. Those who have had a lot of sun exposure or are concerned about their skin cancer risk should consult their GP.”

Those wanting more information about skin cancer can call The Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

To make a donation to the Fiona Pike Campaign log onto www.sunsmart.org.au/fionapike

(Kingston Heath Golf Club, Melbourne)

Two of the legends of Australian golf, Jan Stephenson and Karrie Webb, were presented with life membership of Australian Ladies Professional Golf during the welcome function for the MFS Women's Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club yesterday.

The Kingston Heath welcome function presented the perfect audience of media, golf industry representatives, family and fellow competitors of both players who celebrated the honour bestowed on the two most celebrated Australian lady professional golfers.

At a General Meeting held on 15 January, the ALPG membership voted unanimously in favour of honouring Stephenson and Webb with Life Membership.

ALPG Vice President Sandra Mackenzie addressed a packed clubhouse and introduced both Jan Stephenson and Karrie Webb, both of whom were in attendance, in preparation for the national championship which will be played at “The Heath” for the first time.

In highlighting the contributions each player had made to Australian ladies professional golf, Mackenzie commented that Stephenson “took the game to new market areas that would change the image of women’s professional golf forever.

Jan was a promoter’s dream, the promotional juggernaut that was Jan Stephenson; the excitement, style, drama, the glamour, controversy and all with a characteristic, strong Australian opinion…it was a recipe to set her apart from the rest.

But Jan was not just a pretty face, she was also an enormous golfing talent. Having won 16 LPGA events, including 3 major championships, Jan proved to everyone that she really had it all." said Mackenzie.

"For at least two decades, Jan was the face of Australian Women in the world of professional golf. “

In accepting the Life Membership, Stephenson said she was overwhelmed and truly grateful for such recognition by the ALPG. “This means so much to me. I have always called Australia home and even though I have spent so much time in the US, I have always tried to promote our sport. We have so many great young players now and I am so proud to see the sport has grown so much. We really need to focus on our juniors, as they are the future of our sport.” Said Stephenson who in recent years has turned her focus to golf course design, as well as her own Junior programs.

When the focus turned to the Webb presentation, Mackenzie noted that 1974 was the year Jan Stephenson was the LPGA Rookie of the year, the same year that Rob and Evelyn Webb welcomed a baby girl, Karrie, into the world,

“22 years later in 1996, she too would add her name to the USLPGA Rookie of the Year trophy.” Said Mackenzie who went on to roll call the achievements of our greatest ever golfer.

“I have looked through the records, and unfortunately we just don’t have that sort of time to mention everything. In 1996 she played 25 events, made 24 cuts, 4 wins, 15 top 10’s and became the first player to reach $1 million in a single season on the LPGA.

She then became the fastest to reach $7m in ’01, the fastest to reach $8m in ’02 and the fastest to reach $9m in ’03. After 12 Years on the LPGA, it all adds up to
271 events; 258 cuts, 35 wins (7 majors)30 2nd’s, 20 3rd’s, 158 top 10’s. Career earnings US$13.5M (2nd to Annika) and only 3 times has she finished out of the top 10 on the Money List.

And of course after qualifying years before, she had to wait until 2005 to meet the final criteria (ten years on Tour) before she could be inducted into the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame.

There has been huge involvement with Charities., junior programs and probably your favourite, Karrie, the enormous contribution you have made
in your home town community of Ayr, in Far North Queensland.

Karrie, you have been so instrumental in inspiring so many young girls to take up the game…as well as many of our own players that we now have on tours, all over the world.

It is such a privilege and honor for me to be asked to speak on behalf of all our members about such an extraordinary woman, and her very, extraordinary career. We are all so very proud of you. “

In accepting the award, Webb was overwhelmed. “Wow, that was good for the ego” she said. “It is funny hearing those stats, I didn’t really know about all the 2nd’s and top tens. This is such an honour. I didn’t know about it until last week but I am very grateful and it is nice to be recognized in such a way, by the ALPG Tour.

Webb and Stephenson make up six Life Members of the ALPG joining Betty Dalgleish, Sheri Wright and Laureen Ford as the honourees.

(Picture: Jan Stephenson and Karrie Webb flanked by ALPG President, Ann Wilson, Vice President, Sandra Mackenzie and ALPG CEO, Warren Sevil.)