Sport
Belgian champion Manon De Roey is one of the favorites for the Mithra Ladies Open, which takes place from May 27-29 in Wanze. A high-level show guaranteed for this 100% female event.
By Miguel Tasso
Just silenced the last echoes of the Soudal Open, there are already golf enthusiasts here at the time of the Mithra Ladies Open! After the boys, it’s the girls’ turn to make Belgium dance during this professional tournament of the Ladies European Tour that will take place from May 27 to 29 on the greens of Naxhelet, in Wanze.
“Initially, the first edition was scheduled for 2020. Unfortunately, the health crisis forced us to postpone the event twice. This time, all the lights are finally green.”smiles French Jolly, president and founder of the prestigious Walloon club. And the show promises to be of a very high level. In fact, most of the best players on the European circuit are announced with, as guest stars, the English legend Laura Davies, winner of four Grand Slam tournaments. Aged 58 today, the legendary champion has agreed to take part in the event, much to the delight of all fans.
That said, the real headliner will obviously be Manon De Roey. The 30-year-old Belgian golf number 1 just won the first tournament of her career on the Ladies European Tour in Bangkok. And she, on her way, she hopes to raise a new trophy in front of her fans.
Daughter of the ball – she also played hockey -, Manon discovered the pleasures of swing at the age of 12, in Brasschaat, near Antwerp, guided by her father and brother. She then jumped through the age categories before combining high-level golf and studying psychology at the University of New Mexico in the United States. After turning pro in 2015, she is finally receiving the dividends of her perseverance. “Not everything was easy. I started from the bottom of the ladder and it was a bit tricky at first. For two years, fortunately, I have been rewarded for my efforts. »
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Her coronation in Bangkok, the first for a Belgian player on the professional circuit in a quarter of a century, is, in a way, confirmation of an inexorable rise in power. “His potential is great. To his natural attack strength, he now adds a very complete little game. And he has the weapons to aspire to join the American professional circuit soon ”Michel Vanmeerbeek and Jérôme Theunis, his two regular coaches, explain in unison.
Currently in third place in the Race to Dubai (the annual ranking of the European circuit), the shy Manon blushes at such compliments. But she doesn’t deny it. “The United States is the absolute dream of all professional players, both sportingly and economically. It is the D1 of women’s golf. But one thing at a time. There, I must first confirm my status. And this tournament in Naxhelet is obviously timely. »
The Mithra Ladies Open could not, in fact, dream of a better ambassador to draw the huge crowd to Wanze. “In Belgium, women’s sport is booming, all disciplines combined. And golf is no exception, with a strong increase in the number of licensees. This is the whole concept of our tournament, which is above all a great popular and free party.Francoise Jolly continues.
Naxhelet, created in 2014, is the only true golf course in Belgium that, in addition to its championship course, has a 4-star hotel, a gourmet restaurant, a spa & wellness with swimming pool and a vast real estate project, all certified eco-responsible. Such a scenario certainly deserved to be in the spotlight.
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