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Issue:- 10 July 2014

Ricoh Women's British Golf 2014 - Part 1
Photograph by Patrick Trollope

THIS year sees England's Golf Coast hosting not one, but 2 of the most prestigious sporting events in golf, with both the Open and the Ricoh Women's British Golf being held on Merseyside. On Monday, 7 July 2014, many of the world's top female golfers descended on the seaside resort of Southport, to attend the 2014 Ricoh Women's British Open (RWBO), which is running until 13 July 2014. The event attracts the elite women players who showcase their talents on the World's best golf courses, and Royal Birkdale is one of them. The RWBO 2014 is the 6th time that the Club has hosted it. This event has attracted players from all over the world, from Japan to Czech Republic, The USA to Russia, with the likes of Rolex Rankings No. 1, Stacy Lewis attending, together with other golfing royalty, like Paula Creamer, Charley Hull, Inbee Park, Lydia Ko, Stacy lwis and Catriona Mathews... but not forgetting Laura Davies and Michelle Wie, along with many more. This year again the world's eyes are on Michelle Wie, who is currently 6th in the world rankings, as she has only recently been crowned Women's US Open Champion and this many expect will have added extra fire to her. Even more interestingly for locals, in a press conference she recalled that her first international golf match was held at Formby Golf Club, which was the 33rd Curtis Cup in June 2004, followed by her very first Open at Royal Birkdale. She recalled that:- "I think the weather wasn't that bad at the Curtis Cup. I remember it being like semi okay and then I came here to Birkdale it was like ok. It was really warm the week before in Evian and I brought all my rain gear and sent it all back to Hawai'i. So I got here with clothes I wore at Evian which were sleeveless and shorts and everything. I got here and I was like, oh my God! That was such a mistake. Yeah, it was as cold as I've ever been, but it was awesome..." she added she has learned a lot since then and enjoys the challenges the British weather holds for golfers. This has also been echoed by many of the players. Also, when asked about Southport, Michelle said:- "It's great. We have had some really good food the last couple of nights. We're going to look for some good food tonight, as well. It is beautiful. The weather's been great. It's really lovely." So keep an eye out for her in Town! But the weather is a major concern for the players who are not accustomed to the British climate, but one of the players might have an added advantage as she is from Birkdale! Florentyna Parker is also a member of the Royal Birkdale Golf Club and had only the day before won a place at the RWBO after winning the Ladies Italian Open with an Albatross (Double Eagle) on the back 9. She celebrated her 25th birthday the week before the win over her fellow countrywoman, Englishwoman Holly Clyburn, so this might just be her year! This victory qualified her to compete at her home club. So please do cheer her on! "I'm so excited to be playing at my home club, in front of all the members and my friends who are really supportive of me!" she told us. So will she be the wild card in this competition? But it is not just the players who have been getting attention this week. Year 4 and 5 pupils from St Albert's School, in Liverpool, who have been taking part in Empowering Youth Foundation (EYF) sessions, have also been inspired and captured media attention. On 9 July 2014 some of the children were shown around the course and even got to meet players, like Charley Hull, who kindly spent time signing the children's tops! Also they got to meet the world's press, with a tour inside the media rooms. Plus the girls caught a moment with Paula Creamer on the day, to learn more about her sportswear... As the EYF programme is based on the 9 core values inherent in the game of golf; honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, courtesy, perseverance and judgement, what fantastic inspiration they will have gained from this opportunity. If you want to keep up-to-date with what is going on, please follow our Twitter feed and also our Facebook Page... Updates will also be added to our Formby Reporter's email news during this event. Full round up and photographic coverage will be in the next issue. For now, please enjoy some of  photographs taken by our Editor, Patrick Trollope by clicking on here to see Part 1 of our photographic coverage.

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