Kristianstads Golf Klub in Sweden is to host a new event on the Ladies European Tour event in 2020 – the Creekhouse Ladies Open.
The four-day tournament will be played from September 3-6 and will featuring a field of 126 professional women, competing for a €400,000 prize fund.
The tournament will not only be the first of its kind in Sweden since 2015, but it will also provide up-and-coming stars with the chance to compete against the best players in Europe.
The event is arranged in collaboration with title sponsor and promoter Creekhouse Management, whose aim is to help drive and support women’s professional golf in Sweden. Pelle Krüger, managing director of Creekhouse Management, said: “There is great momentum in women’s golf and we are excited to work closely with the Ladies European Tour and the Swedish Golf Federation to support and ‘give back’ to all the great Swedish women professionals that we have and that still keeps coming.”
Krüger added: “Working closely with Kristianstads GK on this brand new event is something we have been talking about for quite some time. It is in their DNA to be inclusive and connect with the local community, as well as with guests from all over the world. I guess it has to do with Åhus being a waterfront summer town where this comes naturally. We want to make this golf event an experience that goes beyond golf, for and together with the visitors. The event should be a place that puts smiles on faces, whether that is by watching high calibre golf, doing something exciting with your family, or just hanging out with friends in a vibrating atmosphere.”
Following the LET and LPGA joining forces to drive the growth of women’s professional golf in Europe, it felt natural for the partnership to support Creekhouse Management to bring back Sweden on the LET map.
Alexandra Armas, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the LET, said: “It’s the perfect time for us to add a new and exciting tournament in Sweden as we build a stronger schedule and take the tour to the next level. Sweden is a hotbed of golfing talent in Europe and this event will allow fans to see our players’ incredible skills, flair and drive first-hand.”
Kristianstads GK in Åhus is one of the oldest courses in Sweden with a long tournament history. In 1986 it hosted the Kristianstad Open, a Ladies European Tour event featuring stars like Liselotte Neumann, Helen Alfredsson and Laura Davies. It has since hosted a European Championship and numerous satellite tour events for both women and men.
Under new ownership, the course has received substational investment and is now ranked one of the top layouts in Scandinavia.
Carl-Henrik Dahlqvist, marketing executive at Kristianstads GK, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Ladies European Tour back to Kristianstads again after 34 years. We are looking forward to stand host for a great international golf tournament and world class experience for all parties involved and to show women’s professional golf at its best on our challenging golf course.”