2015 Turkish Ladies Open Set to Become First Golf Tournament to Finish on Wednesday

The 2015 Turkish Ladies Open is set to become the first tournament on any major golf tour to finish on a Wednesday, it has been revealed today. 

In a bid to boost the profile of the women’s game, the arrangement will ensure that the tournament receives extended live television coverage on Sky Sports and Golf Channel and will be watched in more than 50 countries worldwide.

“The Ladies European Tour (LET) strategy includes exploring new ways to provide maximum exposure to women’s golf, widening the fan base beyond traditional golf fans, reflecting the reality of changed consumer behaviours and avoiding busy weekends which are over populated with so many sports,” said Ivan Khodabahksh, the LET’s CEO.

The Turkish Ladies Open will be played from Sunday 17th to Wednesday 20th May, with record prize money of 500,000 euros, an increase of 100 per cent on 2014.

The President of National Golf Club, Dr Bulent Göktuna, recently shook hands to an equal stake joint venture with Mr. Fikret Özturk, the Chairman of Opet and Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort. The tournament will now alternate annually between the National and Carya Golf Clubs with next year’s event taking place at the beautiful Carya Golf Club, designed by the great Australian golfer, Peter Thompson.

Dr Bulent Göktuna, the Chairman of Mineks International, the promoters of the six previous Turkish Ladies Opens, which have all been played at the National Golf Club, commented: “It is our intention that the Turkish Ladies Open will continue to improve and grow as an international sporting occasion. I believe that playing the two courses on alternate years adds a new dimension to the tournament. We all look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Ladies European Tour and the players, many of whom we have developed strong relationships with through the last seven years.”

Dr Göktuna also stated that he believes that the cooperation between the Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort and the National Golf Club will have a very positive effect on the future of the Ladies European Tour in Turkey: “The doubling of the prize fund to 500,000 Euro is the first step. Our ambition is to put the event on to the world stage. The Wednesday finish is unique for all, but will have a massive effect on the TV exposure worldwide.”

The 2015 Turkish Ladies Open will be the seventh edition of the tournament.