The Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) Association, in partnership with title sponsor ActewAGL yesterday proudly launched the 2018 ActewAGL Canberra Classic, to be held at The Royal Canberra Golf Club from the 9th -11th February 2018.

The tournament will be an official event on the ALPG Tour schedule with prize money of $150,000, and will be held the week in between the Oates Victorian Open and the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.

ALPG CEO Karen Lunn was delighted with the announcement, which will mark the return of women’s professional golf to the ACT for the first time since the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open was held at Royal Canberra Golf Club during Canberra’s centenary celebrations in 2013.

“ALPG is delighted to announce this tournament which will be played on the newly redesigned layout at Royal Canberra Golf Club,” said Ms Lunn.

“Canberra is known for supporting women in sport and also major sporting events, and I could not think of a better place to play this tournament.”

“I would like to say a huge thank you to ActewAGL for their support as title sponsor, without the vision and commitment of this local business the tournament would not be happening.”

“In terms of the tournament venue we could not ask for more, Royal Canberra Golf Club is one of the finest and most picturesque courses in Australia, and the new layout will provide a great test for the women professional players.”

“The support we have received from Royal Canberra General Manager, Andrew Casey and his team, along with that of the board and the members has been absolutely fantastic. We are honoured that the members want to share their course and facilities with us, and we are excited to be able to showcase it to the world through our live streaming of the final round, which has been made possible through the support of the ACT Government via their ACT event fund. “

“We are also delighted to have on board the Doma Hotel Group as our Official Hotel Partner, and Audi Centre Canberra as our Official Car Partner.”

“I can confirm we have secured five high profile players, including:

• Jiyai Shin, winner of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in 2013 and a former world number one
• Dame Laura Davies, former world number one, twice winner of the Australian Open and winner of 84 professional tournaments worldwide including 4 major championships.
• Catriona Matthew, European Solheim Cup captain, a multiple winner on the LPGA Tour, a major champion and another former Australian Open Champion.

“In terms of our home-grown talent, Katherine Kirk, the only Australian player to win on the LPGA Tour in 2017 is excited to be returning to Royal Canberra in 2018, as is Sarah Jane Smith, affectionately known as the quiet achiever of Australian Women’s Golf who has had another fantastic year on the LPGA Tour in 2017.

“In the coming weeks we hope to make more exciting player announcements, and we are extremely confident that come February 2018 a high-class international field will be assembled and ready to put on a great show,” concluded Ms Lunn.

Tony Muckle, ActewAGl Retail Sales Manager said “I am proud to say ActewAGL are the major sponsor of the 2018 ActewAGL Canberra Classic, women’s golf tournament. We are well known in the community for our continued support across a broad range of sporting groups, with a focus on women in sport and we look forward to bringing some of the world’s best female golfers to the ACT.

Royal Canberra General Manager Andrew Casey said “Royal Canberra Golf Club is delighted once again to be the host venue for the 2018 ActewAGL Canberra Classic. The redevelopment of the course has been received exceptionally well by our members who are enjoying playing on a vastly improved golf course, both in turf quality and golf strategy, and I am sure that the women professionals will find the course both challenging and enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best golfers to Royal Canberra in February next year”

For more information on sponsorship packages and other information go to our ActewAGL Canberra Classic tournament page