The Ladies English Open has always provided an opportunity for businesses to market themselves to golf fans at a top ladies’ golf event – and in 2008 that opportunity moves to The Oxfordshire GC from 4-6 July.
This year the Ladies English Open returns to The Oxfordshire, near Thame, in the delightful Chilterns. It was last hosted by the outstanding Rees Jones-designed course in 1996 and has, for the last four years, been played at The Oxfordshire’s sister course, Chart Hills, in Kent.
The Oxfordshire is a rarity in British golf in that it was specifically designed to host tournament golf – it was the home of the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf in ‘95 and ’96, and the Benson & Hedges International Open in ‘96, ‘97, ’98 and ’99. It offers exceptional viewing opportunities for spectators and outstanding commercial opportunities for businesses in an area originally designated in the design to be a tented village.
The Oxfordshire’s general manager, Martin Harris, explained, “The Oxfordshire’s central location and its easy access offer a massive potential audience, including a population of 10 million within an easy commute. That was one of the reasons why the event has been moved here.
“We have gone to great lengths to ensure there are commercial opportunities for businesses of all sizes at the Ladies English Open: from a title sponsorship through to corporate dining and entertaining.
“Ladies golf is an ideal corporate investment: it offers a full day of entertainment over three days of competition but is more competitively priced than a men’s professional tournament or a comparative event like professional football.”
During its four years at Chart Hills, the Ladies English Open attracted the cream of European ladies golf, with players from as far a field as the USA, Japan and Australasia.
Last year’s event boasted six European order of merit winners – Laura Davies, Trish Johnson, Corinne Dibnah, Karen Lunn, Iben Tinning, former Solheim Cup captain Catrin Nilsmark – and former major winner Karen Stupples.
But it was Britain’s rising star Becky Brewerton – a member of the 2007 Solheim Cup team – who recorded a popular maiden success. The field comprised players from 23 countries making it a truly cosmopolitan event.
For more information on packages available for the 2008 Ladies English Open, contact Martin Harris on 01844 278300.
The Oxfordshire GC www.theoxfordshiregolfclub.com