Golf Victoria has signed an agreement with the Ladies European Tour (LET) which will see the women's event of the Oates Vic Open 2017 co-sanctioned with the leading professional women's golf tournament in Europe.

  • Photo: DR
The Oates Vic Open, which will be held at the 13th Golf Links from February 9 to 12, is currently the only professional event in the world that simultaneously hosts both men's and women's championships at the same location.

In 2016, we witnessed the resignation of Georgie Hall (England), who won her first professional title after leading the tournament in line and by retaining teammates Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Denmark) and Marianne Skarpnord (Norway) who were already the defending champions. Hall, who was 19 at the time of the victory, gave life to the slogan of the tournament "where the stars were born", recording eight other top-10s during the season.

Golf Victoria CEO Simon Brookhouse is delighted to have received LET sanction, saying it was a natural progression for the event.

“We are very happy that the 2017 Vic Open is co-sanctioned by the LET with the ALPG Tour and the PPS ISPS HANDA Tour of Australasia on the men's side. It was always our goal and intention to progress to LET status and we have to give special thanks to the Victorian government for helping us to make this happen with the additional funding announced on December 9 of last year during our official launch Said Brookhouse.

“Being on a world tour like LET attracts higher ranked players, an increase in world ranking points on offer and offers the potential for a young Australian to secure full LET status with a win. "

“With the increased reach of the LET platforms, the fantastic 13th Beach Golf Links will be showcased globally and we are excited to showcase the Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula to a wider international audience. "

LET is one of the most important professional women's tournaments in the world and in 2016 it had 325 professional female golfers from all over the world as members, including 30 athletes from 20 countries who competed in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Oates Vic Open 2017 was warmly welcomed on the LET calendar by Tour CEO Ivan Peter Khodabakhsh.

“2017 promises to be another great year for LET and we are delighted that our season kicks off in Australia on February 9 with the Oates Vic Open, a mixed event and the only one of its kind on the world stage. "

“Our members are thrilled to have the opportunity to play at 13th Beach Golf Links, one of Victoria's finest golf courses, alongside players from the ISP HANDA PGA Australasia tournament and the ALPG Tour. With the men's and women's championships playing on the same courses, for equal prices, this event promises to be a very special week in world golf. "

While 2017 will mark the first time the Oates Vic Open has been sanctioned as an event on the LET, the tournament has been graced by a number of European players in its recent history. The 2016 women's field welcomed 48 LET members, including 8 players who finished in the top 10 of the LET order of merit.

Acting Sports Minister Philip Dalidakis said the Victorian government was happy with the news of the co-sanction agreement.

“The sanction of the Oates Vic Open on the LET means that it is now a true international event. In addition to attracting some of the best female golfers, this opportunity will help us showcase the best of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula to the world ”said Minister Dalidakis.

Brett Luxford, Managing Director of Investments & Attractions for the city of Geelong, said was also delighted to see the tournament gain LET status.

The Oates Vic Open will be played from February 9 to 12 on the 13th Beach Golf Links. The last two rounds will be broadcast live on Facebook LIVE and on www.vicopengolf.com with a blanket starting at around 11:30 am everyday.