A select group of discerning golfers took part in the inaugural Women & Golf Evian Trophy last month and they had a fabulous time on and off the golf course at this prestigious French venue.
A small select group of discerning golfers took part in the inaugural Women & Golf Evian Trophy last month. Congratulations to Cheryl Ashlee, a 19 handicapper from Woburn Golf Club, who won the event with an amazing 42 points on the final day, triumphing over fellow Woburn member Jenny Caddel.
The event, which was hosted by former LET player and leading coach Christine Langford, was played at the magnificent Evian Golf Club, home to the only major championship on continental Europe. The Evian Championship, formerly the Evian Masters was first played in 1992, Helen Alfredsson was the winner and went on to win the tournament three times – the hand prints of all the winners are displayed on the wall of the Chalet du Golf at the club.
The golf course enjoys a stunning mountain backdrop and views of Lake Geneva, it was renovated in 2013 and is home to one of the best tournaments in professional golf. It’s not surprising that the tour players enjoy the 5th Major at Evian, apart from the fabulous golf course the golf academy and practice facilities are some of the best in the world.
Chris Langford was on hand to give coaching clinics each morning and said of the facilities “I have never seen anything quite like it, and I have been lucky enough to visit some stunning venues.
The Academy is set in 37 acres overlooking Lake Geneva, it has it’s own manoir clubhouse, a four-hole practice course and eight practice modules, allowing target practice to real greens from tight or grassy lies, the design is superb.
Not Just about Golf!
The group stayed at the luxurious Ermitage Hotel an 80-room haven with glorious gardens and, of course, a view over that lake. Players enjoyed the spa, swimming pools and some fine French food and wine.
Evian is very much a place, set on the French side of Lake Geneva, frequent ferry services to Geneva and Lausanne on the other side of the lake make the place a hive of activity.
The ladies ventured into Evian les Bains on the funicular railway that connects the resort to the local town, the lake and the casino. The funicular opened in 1907 and was used to transport guests from the grand hotels down to the spring and thermal pump room in the town.
Susie Garner one of the participants said “ Having joined the Women &Golf Bermuda trip for the last two years, I know that the combination of A Golfing experience, Women & Golf and of course, our mummy pro, Chris, means only one thing – a class act, and this trip was certainly that “
The 2014 Evian Championship will be played 11-14 September, the defending champion is Suzann Petterson of Norway, players will compete for a purse of over 3 million US$.
