Paula Creamer backs Ricoh’s green golf iniative at Royal Birkdale

Sep 12 2012 by Richard Williamson, Birkenhead News

THE clean sweep of team triumphs over the Americans has handed golf a major lift.

Shona Malcolm, chief executive of the Ladies Golf Union, believes success in the Curtis Cup – which completed the set – has helped raise the profile of the women’s game.

At professional level the men play for the Ryder Cup, the women in the Solheim Cup while the Walker Cup is contested by the best amateur men.

The winning Curtis Cup team of the best women amateurs included Royal Birkdale’s Kelly Tidy.

“That Curtis Cup win really seemed to capture the imagination – and the fact that it completed a remarkable clean sweep obviously helped,” said Shona.

“There is a real feelgood factor around sport in this Olympic year and hopefully that can continue at Hoylake.

“The prospect of golf returning to the Olympics in 2016 offers a chance to grow the game globally. In some countries they do not know all about the women’s majors, but they are very aware of an athlete trying to win a gold medal.”

For former Women’s British Open champion Catriona Matthew, teeing up at Hoylake will complete a link back to the Curtis Cup. She played in the 1992 team that beat the Americans 10-8 at Royal LIverpool.

“I don’t really remember much about Royal Liverpool,” she admitted. “It was 20 years ago now – but Prince Andrew came to watch us on the last day!”