Nicholas to play LETAS event

Solheim Cup-winning captain Alison Nicholas will tee up in WPGA International Challenge at Stoke by Nayland in September.

The former US Women’s Open winner will be the star name in the field for the Ladies European Tour Access Series event.

Nicholas, a fully qualified PGA Professional, will be joined by 20 WPGA members in the field that will compete against the next generation of players seeking to carve out careers on the Ladies European Tour.

The 54-hole tournament, which is the only event on the LETAS schedule to be played in the United Kingdom, will feature an international field of 120 players competing for a share of the €25,000 prize fund.

Nicholas, who was awarded an MBE in 1997 for her services to golf, has had a stellar career in the sport including playing in six Solheim Cup teams as well as leading the European team to victory in the United States two years ago.

Aside from her major victory, when she beat the legendary Nancy Lopez, Nicholas amassed a further 17 Tour wins across the world.

PGA Head of Tournaments Simon Higginbottom said: “Alison Nicholas has been at the forefront of women’s golf in the UK and across the world for two decades.

“Alison is an inspirational figure to many of today’s leading women players and to have a player of her calibre competing at Stoke by Nayland, will no doubt inspire the next generation.”