The ladies are coming!

The world’s top female professional golfers have a special treat to look forward to this summer – they’ll be playing at the Home of Golf.

For the first time ever, the Ricoh Women’s British Open will be staged over the famous Old Course links at St. Andrews, on August 2-5.

The lure of the Old Course is expected to attract more spectators than ever to the event, which has never broken the 80,000 gallery mark. “We’re optimistic that playing at St. Andrews will enable the women’s game to take another leap forward,” said Lesley Burn, chief executive of the Ladies Golf Union. “Our early ticket sales have been very encouraging and we’re preparing for record crowds approaching 100,000.”

Thanks to a potential worldwide TV audience for the tournament of 400 million and coverage due to be increased by 50 per cent throughout the UK on BBC television, Burn agreed the opportunity to tee up at the most historic course in golf had been helpful in agreeing a new three-year sponsorship deal with Ricoh, the Japanese manufacturer of digital cameras and office equipment, allowing the women to compete for a £1 million prize-fund at The Open.

Many players have already expressed their excitement at the prospect of teeing it up on the same links that has hosted 27 men’s Open championships, and American teen star Paula Creamer has already made a sneaky practice trips with her coach David Whelan.

“I thrive on the different challenges that golf in Britain offers up and every year the British Open is a highlight on my schedule,” she said. “Playing the Old Course at St. Andrews was one of the best golfing moments of my career. I can’t wait to return in August.”

Home-grown talent Catriona Matthew is also looking forward to making her mark on the Old Course. “This is only the second time the event has been played in Scotland and obviously, as a Scot, winning a professional event on the Old Course would be a dream come true,” said Matthew who has already finished runner-up in one major this year – the Kraft Nabisco.

The ladies will play the Old Course as a 6067 yard, par 73 – some 641 yards shorter than the circuit the men play. Even so, it will still be the longest course ever used at the British Women’s Open.

In the meantime Burns remains adament that the women’s visit to the Old Course will not be flash in the pan. “We do want to play in Scotland again, and we would love to return to the Old Course one day,” she added.

The Ladies’ Golf Union is continuing its policy to give free entry to all Juniors under 16 years of age, provided they are accompanied by an adult. Daily Adult tickets cost £20, an Adult Season ticket it priced at £50, and Senior Citizen prices are £16 and £40 respectively. However, a £1 discount will be deducted for every adult ticket purchased before July 1st. To book your tickets to the Ricoh Women’s British Open visit www.lgu.org