The LET Team at The Queens presented by Kowa at Miyoshi Country Club in Japan, on Wednesday 30th November 2016. Top row left to right: Linda Wessberg (SWE); Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DEN); Trish Johnson (ENG); Florentyna Parker (ENG) and Catriona Matthew (SCO). Bottom row left to right: Becky Morgan (WAL); Georgia Hall (ENG); Isabelle Boineau (FRA) and Nuria Iturrios (ESP)
Four Teams – One Crown: who will reign at The Queens?
The 36 players representing four of the world’s top female golf tours in the second playing of The Queens presented by Kowa, arrived at Miyoshi Country Club outside Nagoya in Japan on Tuesday in anticipation of Friday’s start to the annual team match play competition.
Players, new and returning alike, expressed their excitement to participate in the 2016 edition of this unique tournament, being contested by four teams of nine players from the Ladies European Tour, the Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association of Japan (JLPGA), Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) and Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG).
“I think it’s going to be one of the best weeks in my life!” said Ladies European Tour rookie Nuria Iturrios (below).
Florentyna Parker said: “It was my goal at the beginning of the year to qualify for the team so I’m really pleased that I managed to do that. We are all very excited for this week and most of us haven’t been to Japan before, so it’s great to be here and to be able to play an exciting format and be a team for a week.”
Linda Wessberg said: “I’m very excited because it’s been a while since I’ve played team competition. We have the annual Swedish team matchplay championship where you represent your club but other than that it was The 2007 Solheim Cup.”
Nanna Koerstz Madsen (below), who has returned for her second appearance, added: “It feels good to be back. I really like the tournament, it’s a great set-up and the course is good. I really enjoy playing as a team. I think we have a better team spirit, which can make all the difference.”
Becky Morgan said: “I think everyone is really up for it. The Japanese and Korean teams look good on paper but if we’re enthusiastic and give it our all, I think we’ve got a good chance.”
Georgia Hall said: “I think we have a great chance of winning because we’re all playing well and we all get along. We are all excited for the week and I’m excited to play as part of a team, because golf is so individual. It’s nice to be all as one, wanting each other to do well.”
The Teams
Ladies European Tour (LET)
Trish Johnson (England) – Captain
Country England
Residence Swindon
Born 17/01/1966
Turned Professional 1987
Career Victories (last) 23 (Legends Championship)
Solheim Cups 8
Best Results of 2016: T9 Lalla Meryem Cup, T11 Costa del Sol Andalucia Open de
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Isabelle Boineau (France)
Country France
Residence Marseille
Born 13/06/1989
Turned Professional 2013
Career Victories (last) 1 (2016 – Scotland)
Best Results of 2016: 1st Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, T5 Lalla Meryem Cup, T9 Lacoste Ladies Open de France
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Georgia Hall (England)
Country England
Residence Bournemouth
Born 12/04/1996
Turned Professional 2014
Career best finish T3rd (2016 – Spain)
Best Results of 2016: 2nd Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open, 3rd Costa del Sol Andalucia Open de Espana, 4th Lacoste Ladies Open de France
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Nuria Iturrios (Spain)
Country Spain
Residence Mallorca
Born 16/12/1995
Turned Professional 2016
Career Victories (last) 1 (2016 – Morocco)
Best Results of 2016: 1st Lalla Meryem Cup, T14 Lacoste Ladies Open de France, T15 Qatar Ladies Open
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Denmark)
Country Denmark
Home town Smoerum
Born 23/10/1994
Turned professional 2015
Joined Tour 2015
Career Victories (last) 1 (2016 – Czech Republic)
Best Results of 2016: 1st Tipsport Golf Masters, T2nd ISPS HANDA New Zealand Women’s Open, 4th Qatar Ladies Open
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Catriona Matthew (Scotland)
Country Scotland
Home town North Berwick
Born 25/8/1969
Turned Professional 1995
Career Victories (last) 10 (2013 – Scotland)
Solheim Cups 8
Best Results of 2016: T5th Ricoh Women’s British Open, T9th Australian Open
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Becky Morgan (Wales)
Country Wales
Residence Port St Lucie, Florida
Born 05/09/1974
Turned Professional 2000
Career Best Finish 2nd (2015 – India)
Best Results of 2016: T3rd Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, 4th Buick Championship, T9th World Ladies Championship
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Florentyna Parker (England)
Country England
Residence Hamburg
Born 20/06/1989
Turned Professional 2009
Career Victories (last) 2 (2014 – Italy)
Best Results of 2016: 2nd Lalla Meryem Cup, T2nd Lacoste Ladies Open de France, 5th Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana and Hero Women’s Indian Open, T6th Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, T8th Buick Championship, T9th Qatar Ladies Open
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Linda Wessberg (Sweden)
Country Sweden
Residence Gothenburg
Born 13/06/1980
Turned Professional 2003
Career Victories (last) 3 (2009 – Austria)
Solheim Cups 1
Best Results of 2016: 2nd Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, T4th Tipsport Golf Masters, T9th Qatar Ladies Open
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association of Japan (JLPGA)
(Rankings from LPGA of Japan money list)
Ritsuko Ryu – Captain
Date of birth: 4/11/1987
Career victories: 5
Ranking: 3 (LPGA of Japan money)
Best Results of 2016: NITORI Ladies Golf tournament: 1st
NEC Karuizawa 72 Golf tournament: 1st
Itonen Ladies Golf tournament: 2nd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Ai Suzuki
Date of birth: 9/5/1994
Career victories: 3
Ranking: 4
Best Results of 2016: LPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup: 1st
Chukyo TV Bridgestone Ladies Open: 1st
NOBUTA Group Masters GC Ladies: T2nd
Itonen Ladies Golf tournament: 2nd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Erika Kikuchi
Date of birth: 12/7/1988
Career victories: 2
Ranking: 8
Best Results of 2016: Studio Alice Ladies Open: 1st
Century 21 Ladies Golf Tournament: T2nd
Nipponham Ladies Classic: T2nd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Ayaka Watanabe
Date of birth: 19/9/1993
Career victories: 3
Ranking: 12
Best Results of 2016: World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup: 2nd
T-point Ladies Golf tournament: T2nd
Nichirei Ladies: T3rd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Kotone Hori
Date of birth: 3/3/1996
Ranking: 10
Best Results of 2016: Japanese Women’s Open Golf Championship: 2nd
Fujitsi Ladies: 3rd
Toto Japan Classic: T3rd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Yumiko Yoshida
Date of birth: 28/4/1987
Career victories: 5
Ranking: 17
Best Results of 2016: Nipponham Ladies Classic: T2nd
Suntori Ladies Open: T2nd
AXA Ladies Golf tournament: T3rd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Yukari Nishiyama
Date of birth: 20/6/1982
Career victories: 1
Ranking: 15
Best Results of 2016: Samantha Thavassa Girls Collection Ladies tournament: T3rd
Nichirei Ladies: T3rd
Daikin Orchid Ladies golf tournament: T3rd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Megumi Shimokawa
Date of birth: 31/5/1983
Ranking: 22
Best Results of 2016: LPGA Championship Konic Minolta Cup: T2nd
Japan Women’s Open Golf Championship: T4th
Chukyo TV Bridgestone Ladies Championship: T5th
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Shiho Oyama
Date of birth: 25/5/1977
Career victories: 17
Ranking: 21
Best Results of 2016: Fujisakei Ladies Classic: 1st
LPGA Championship Konic Minolta Cup: T2nd
Olympic Golf: 42nd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA)
Jiyai Shin – Captain
Date of birth: 28/4/1988
Career victories: 37
Ranking: 2
Best Results of 2016: Hisako Higuchi Mitsubishi Electric Ladies Golf Tournament: 1st
Nichirei Ladies: 1st
Hokan No Madoguchi Ladies: 1st
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Jin Young Ko
Date of birth: 7/7/1995
Career victories: 7
Ranking: 2
Best Results of 2016: KG-Edaily Ladies Open: 1st
BMW Ladies Championship: 1st
HITE Jinro Championship: 1st
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Su Yeon Jang
Date of birth: 15/9/1994
Career victories: 2
Ranking: 3
Best Results of 2016: NH Investment and Secuities Ladies Championship: 1st
Lotte Mart Women’s Open: 1st
Dusan Matchplay Championship: 3rd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Seon Woo Bae
Date of birth: 1/3/1994
Career victories: 2
Ranking: 5
Best Results of 2016: Isugroup 38th KLPGA Championship: 1st
E1 Charity Open: 1st
Kia Motors 30th Korea Women’s Open Golf Championship: 3rd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Seung Hyun Lee
Date of birth: 9/4/1991
Career victories: 5
Ranking: 4
Best Results of 2016: HONMA Golf-Seokyung Ladies Classic: 1st
MY Moonyoung Championship: 1st
Lotte Mart Women’s Open: 2nd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Min Sun Kim
Date of birth: 9/2/1995
Career victories: 3
Ranking: 8
Best Results of 2016: OKSavingsBank Se Ri Pak Invitational: 1st
KG-Edaily Ladies Open: 2nd
NEXEN-Saint 9 Masters: 2nd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Jeongmin Cho
Date of birth: 26/11/1994
Career victories: 2
Ranking: 9
Best Results of 2016: CAIDO MBC Plus Ladies Open presented by LIS: 1st
The Dalat at 1200 Ladies Championship: 1st
Hite Jinro Championship: 2nd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Hae Rym Kim
Date of birth: 8/9/1989
Career victories: 2
Ranking: 6
Best Results of 2016: KB Financial Group STAR Championship: 1st
Kyochon Honey Ladies Open: 1st
HighOne Resort Ladies Open: 2nd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Hee Won Jung
Date of birth: 17/2/1991
Career victories: 1
Ranking: 10
Best Results of 2016: KB Financial Group STAR Championship: 2nd
MiraeAsset Daewoo Classic: 2nd
MY Moonyoung Queens Park Championship: 2nd
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG)
*Australian nationality unless stated
Rachel Hetherington – Captain
Date of birth: 23/4/1972
Career victories: 12
Ranking: 5
Best Results of 2016: Northern Beaches Classic: T8th, Mossvale Classic: T11th, Mulpaha Norwest ALPG Pro-Am: T12th
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Su Oh
Date of birth: 23/5/1996
Career victories: 2
Ranking: 3
Best Results of 2016: T6th Oates Victorian Open
Olympic golf:
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Sarah Jane Smith
Date of birth: 8/7/1984
Ranking: 10
Best Results of 2016: 25th RACV Ladies Masters
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Katherine Kirk
Date of birth: 26/2/1982
Career victories: 7
Ranking: 12
Best Results of 2016: 17th RACV Ladies Masters
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Stacey Keating
Date of birth: 21/6/1986
Career victories: 3
Ranking: 2
Best Results of 2016: T18th RACV Ladies Masters
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Sarah Kemp
Date of birth: 7/12/1985
Career victories: 9
Ranking: 7
Best Results of 2016: 2nd Oatlands Ladies Pro-Am, 10th ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Whitney Hillier
Date of birth: 1/12/1990
Ranking: 4
Best Results of 2016: 10th ISPS HANDA New Zealand Women’s Open
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2015 & 2016
Cathryn Bristow (New Zealand)
Date of birth: 14/11/1984
Career victories: 3
Ranking: 5
Best Results of 2016: Northern Beaches Classic: 1st
T6th Oates Victorian Open
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Lauren Hibbert
Date of birth: 16/9/1988
Ranking: 8
Best Results of 2016: 2nd MT Broughton Ladies Classic
The Queens presented by Kowa: 2016
Course: West Course, Miyoshi Country Club, Aicha Prefecture, Japan
6,500 yards, par 72
Hole 1: 405 yard par-4
Hole 2: 520 yard par-5
Hole 3: 400 yard par-4
Hole 4: 385 yard par-4
Hole 5: 155 yard par-3
Hole 6: 365 yard par-4
Hole 7: 470 yard par-5
Hole 8: 170 yard par-3
Hole 9: 380 yard par-4
Hole 10: 410 yard par-4
Hole 11: 405 yard par-4
Hole 12: 525 yard par-5
Hole 13: 185 yard par-3
Hole 14: 365 yard par-4
Hole 15: 500 yard par-5
Hole 16: 140 yard par-3
Hole 17: 335 yard par-4
Hole 18: 385 yard par-4
