At the end of 2015, the LET established a new Alumni Association to enable former members to network with each other and to allow existing members to benefit from their knowledge and experience.
The link with the former members was evident through the Golf Zone at the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Woburn where four of the Alumni, Denise Hastings, Sam Head, Sarah Bennett and Jo Oliver, were part of the PGA coaching team giving free 15 minute lessons to spectators.
Three of the former members who were on duty on Friday morning, Denise Hastings, Sam Head and Sarah Bennett, were thrilled to be part of the LET’s drive to encourage more women and girls to take up the sport.
Commenting on the LET Alumni Association, Sam Head said: “I think that former LET players can give existing players a lot of advice on how to work hard and be successful. They can learn from players who’ve been there and done it.”
Denise Hastings spoke of how much the tour has grown when she commented: “As time has gone on, there has been an enormous progression. The girls are much better golfers now and they are more prepared than we were when we turned pro. The Ricoh Women’s British Open is an example of how massively things have improved.”
Sarah Bennett said: “As an ex player, it’s great to have the opportunity to come back as a PGA professional to teach in the Golf Zone. Many of the visitors have been women and girls, which is really encouraging in terms of the growth of the game. Not only can they have a free lesson with an ex-LET player, but it’s great to see them enjoying the putting, chipping and other activities on offer.”
There are currently 190 Members of the Alumni Association, which is open to anyone who has played on the LET for at least two seasons. An objective of the Alumni Association is to become an active network and make a positive contribution to the LET and to grassroots golf.
