To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Ladies European Tour (LET), we want to recognise the sacrifice and devotion of the group of distinguished women who kickstarted the Tour and helped make it what it is today, honouring them through a brand new video series named “Celebrating the Founders”.
During their latest reunion at Thorpeness Golf Club, the LET met and interviewed eight of the founding members as well as two early members to learn about the early years on Tour, what they’ve done since and reflect on how far the LET has come.
In episode two, and on the eve of the 2024 Joburg Ladies Open, we spoke to four-time LET winner and one of the pioneers of women’s golf in South Africa, Alison Sheard.
Hear more about Sheard’s incredible story by watching the next episode of “Celebrating the Founders” below…
After turning professional in 1976, Sheard moved to the UK to compete in the the newly formed Women’s Professional Golfers’ Association – WPGA.
In 1979, the South African made history when she became the first non-British player to win the AIG Women’s Open. She remained the only South African to win the event until Ashleigh Buhai in 2022.
Following her victory, Sheard was persuaded by fellow LET founder Chris Langford to pursue more success across on the LPGA, competing in the USA for five years.
Sheard would later move back to the UK when she started teaching the next generation.
A four-time winner on the LET, Sheard helped lay the foundations for future LET winners and in 2010 was rightfully inducted into the Southern Africa Golf Hall of Fame.
Follow all the action throughout our 2024 season on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook – #RaiseOurGame.
