The traditional British Boys and Girls tournaments are back. Once again this summer, dozens of Spanish players are traveling to Great Britain to compete in what are surely the two most established and prestigious summer competitions in Europe. Hundreds of aspiring professionals, spectacular courses, and dramatic knockout rounds await them.
The women's tournament will be the first to begin, running from August 9th to 13th at the Royal Belfast Golf Club in the capital of Northern Ireland. Twenty-two Spanish players will be competing, including established talents like Anna Arrese. For others, it will be their first experience.
In Belfast, Spanish golf will have a large and highly qualified contingent, led by prominent names such as Anna Arrese, Camilla Hedberg, Noemí Jiménez, and Rocío Sánchez, the key players in Spain's bronze medal win at the recent European Girls' Under-18 Team Championship. They showcased their exceptional skill in Denmark, and here they have the opportunity to confirm that performance against the best players on the continent.
The best can also be expected from the rest of the Spanish delegation, which includes names such as Natalia Escuriola, Ha Rang Lee, Ainhoa Olarra or Luna Sobrón, who are regulars in the top positions of national competitions.
In addition, Clara Baena, Irene Calvo, Fátima González, Marta Gutiérrez, Begoña and Paloma Jaúregui, Isabel Jiménez, Marta Martín, Paula Mustienes, Beatriz Prados, Ivon Reijers, Marta Sanz, Andrea Vilarasau, and Elena Villamil will play in Belfast.
Last year, the best Spanish performance came from Barcelona native Elia Folch, who fell in the third round after defeating Anna Arrese. Many Spanish players made it through the first round, but the knockout rounds proved devastating. Thus, the possibility of securing what would have been Spain's third British Girl title, following those won by Azahara Muñoz from Málaga in 2004 and Belén Mozo from Cádiz in 2006, vanished.
The tournament includes two Stroke Play rounds during the first two days of play, which only 64 players will advance to. All of them will then form the match draw, which will be decided through single-elimination matches.