The 2018 LET Access Series has begun with the Terre Blanche Ladies Open at the stunning Golf de Terre Blanche near Nice in France, taking place from Friday April 6 to Sunday, April 8.
France’s Valentine Derrey will be looking for a repeat performance, as the 30-year-old from Paris claimed two LET Access Series titles last year, with an impressive eight shot victory over fellow countrywoman Sophie Giquel-Bettan and Spain’s Mireia Prat at the Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort in Provence. Her second victory came at the Forget Foundation PGA Championship later in the year in Sweden.
Derrey now owns three wins on LETAS, her first coming back in 2014 at the Open de Generali de Dinard and the Frenchwoman was also a winner in the same year on the LET, claiming the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open at National Golf Club in Antalya.
Looking ahead to this year’s event, she said: “I am feeling good. I have been practicing with my coach. I like the course because it’s all about target golf. You have to play smart golf. I prepared in the usual way, worked on my swing and played on the course. I am ready physically and mentally as well.”
A strong field is assembled for the opening event, with 28 past winners teeing it up this week. One player to watch will be last year’s Order of Merit winner, Meghan MacLaren from England. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic start to her season, recording an impressive win at the Women’s NSW Open at Coffs Harbour GC, a co-sanctioned event between the Australian Ladies Professional Golf and Ladies European Tours.
Since launching in 2010, LETAS has helped to develop the careers of young professional golfers, many of whom have gone on to achieve success and also represent their countries in the Rio Olympic Games. Returning Olympians include Maha Haddioui, Chloé Leurquin, Ursula Wikstrom, Christine Wolf and Klára Spilková, who will defend the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco in a fortnight.
The French contingent includes former LET champions Sophie Giquel-Bettan, Jade Schaeffer, Valentine Derrey and the 2017 LET Rookie of the Year Camille Chevalier. She is joined by a number of current LET rookies including the winner of Lalla Aicha Tour School, Casey Danielson, from the United States of America.
Leader board
The LET Access Series (LETAS) is the official feeder tour to the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the competitive international circuit is a key part of the organisation’s development pathway. All female professional golfers and amateurs with a handicap of 2 or better are eligible for Membership of LETAS providing they are over 18 years of age. More than 240 professional and 130 elite amateur golfers compete in tournaments during the year, facilitating a smooth transition between the amateur and professional game and providing high-level playing opportunities and experience. Former LETAS tournament winners who have achieved success on the Ladies European Tour include the 2014 Rookie of the Year Amy Boulden and Nicole Broch Larsen, who became the first LETAS graduate to win on the LET, at the Helsingborg Open in Sweden in 2015. Following the final event of the season, the top five players on the 2018 Ranking will earn Membership of the Ladies European Tour.
The next event on the Ladies European Tour Access Series (LETAS), is the VP Bank Ladies Open, which will be played once again at the picturesque Gams-Werdenberg Golf Club in Switzerland on May 4 – 6, followed by the Jabra Ladies Open at Evian Resort Golf Club from May 31 – 2 June, which is a dual ranking event with the Ladies European Tour.
2018 LETAS Schedule:
April 6 – 8, Terre Blanche Ladies Open, Golf de Terre Blanche, Domaine de Terre Blanche, France – €40,000
May 4 – 6, VP Bank Ladies Open, Gams-Werdenberg Golf Club, Switzerland – €40,000
May 31 – 2 June, Jabra Ladies Open, Evian Resort Golf Club, France – €50,000
June 7 – 9, Ladies Finnish Open, Messilä Golf, Finland – €40,000
June 14 – 16, Czech Ladies Challenge, Golf Resort Konopiště, Czech Republic – €35,000
June 20 – 22, Lavaux Ladies Championship, Golf de Lavaux, Switzerland – €50,000
June 28 – 30, Belfius Ladies Open, Royal Bercuit Golf Club, Belgium – €40,000
July 4 – 6, Ribeira Sacra Patrimonio de la Humanidad International Ladies Open, Augas Santas Balneario & Golf Resort, Spain – €35,000
August 9 – 11, Anna Nordqvist Västerås Open, Västerås Golf Club, Sweden – €35,000
August 15 – 17, Bossey Ladies Championship, Association of Golf & Country Club de Bossey, France – €50,000
August 30 – 1 Sept, Allerum Ladies Open, Allerum Golf Club, Sweden – €35,000
Sept 13 – 15, WPGA International Challenge, Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf & Spa, England – €35,000
