Four-time Women’s Major Champion Dame Laura Davies will become the first woman in history to participate in a European Senior Tour event at next year’s Shipco Masters promoted by Simon’s Golf Club, Denmark.
Davies, Britain’s most successful female golfer in the modern era, will be an official entrant to the inaugural Shipco Masters from June 1-3, 2018 competing alongside the legends of the Senior Tour. As an official entrant, Davies will be playing from the same tees as her male counterparts.
The 53 year old former Women’s World Number One has 45 Ladies European Tour wins and 20 LPGA victories to her name and has represented Europe in the Solheim Cup on 12 occasions, winning four times.
“My golfing career has been played in parallel with a number of players who are currently on the Senior Tour, so I’m really looking forward to testing my wits against them,” said Davies. “It is a privilege to have been invited back to Simon’s Golf Club by Arne and his team, and I’m looking forward to making history on the Senior Tour.”
The Senior Tour returns to Denmark for the first time since 2007, and Arne Simonsen, founder of Simon’s Golf Club, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, is determined to make next year’s tournament a memorable one.
“It will not be the first time that Dame Laura will have played a tournament at our golf club,” said Simonsen. “We had the pleasure of welcoming Laura and her LET colleagues in 2008 at the Nykredit Masters. Laura is a great player and has a wonderful personality, and we look forward to welcoming her back to Simon’s Golf Club for the Shipco Masters.”
Ian Woosnam has also confirmed his participation in next year’s tournament, and will be joined by a number of fellow former Ryder Cup players.
“Dame Laura and Ian are just two of a number of stars who will be teeing it up next year, and we hope to make further player announcements in the coming months,” said Simonsen.
David MacLaren, Head of the European Senior Tour, said: “Dame Laura’s participation in this event is an honour for the European Senior Tour. She has been one of my golfing heroes since 1996 and this is another example of the European Tour and European Senior Tour being prepared to innovate and look to attract a wider audience to the game of golf.”
European Tour www.europeantour.com
Simon’s Golf Club http://simonsgolf.dk/en/