Star Nicholas wins one-day curtain raiser at Little Aston

Alison Nicholas MBE won the opening event of the WPGA One Day series when she eased to victory at Little Aston Golf Club.

The former European Tour and Solheim Cup star is returning to the spot after a break following health problems.

And although her sights are set on the US Seniors Tour later in the year, Nicholas hopes to use the One Day Series to build up momentum.

Nicholas is a former Open and US Open champion and won 12 events on the Ladies European Tour.

She also competed in six European Solheim Cup teams as well as being captain in 2009 and 2011.

But the Midlands-based PGA Professional wants to play more home-based events this year as she bids to regain full fitness.

“I would like to play a couple more events in the One Day Series this year,” she said.

“I plan to go to Dunham Forest and maybe Kedleston, but the others may be too far to travel, I’ll have to see.”

Nicholas was impressed with the strength of the field at Little Aston.

“I think we had around 30 players taking part which was excellent,” added the Hagley Golf Club professional.

“It would be good to try and raise the profile of the series.”

Nicholas explained that she is easing her way back into the sport.

“I’ve had a bad year, I wasn’t right,” she said.

“I lost some weight and I needed to regain some fitness which I’ve now done.

‘So I wanted to get back playing again as soon as I could this year.

“I’m aiming to play on the US Seniors Tour and that’s later on in the year so I hope that I’ll be ready for that by then.”

Nicholas could not resist playing at the Little Aston course which is close to her Midlands base.

And she admitted the day almost went perfectly after carding a three-under-par round of 71.

“I bogeyed the 18th which I was a bit miffed about,” smiled Nicholas. “But other than that it went okay.”

Nicholas beat Katrina Holford, of Chase Golf Club, into second place while Tracey Loveys, of Bigbury Golf Club, was third.