(Southport, April 12 2003) Almost 2000 spectators descended on The Royal Birkdale Golf Club on a glorious spring day for the t

(Southport, April 12 2003) Almost 2000 spectators descended on The Royal Birkdale Golf Club on a glorious spring day for the tenth edition of the Weetabix Challenge Trophy played between the professionals of the Ladies European Tour and the Great Britain and Ireland Elite Squad amateurs.

The LET Team have only tasted defeat once in nine previous encounters and this year at Birkdale, captain Nicky Moult took few risks with her selections as her team inflicted a 16½ to 4½ drubbing over the GB&I Elite squad. But with four former Solheim Cup players, including a captain in her side, defeat was not an option for Moult.

But if the final score was a little flattering to the professionals, who are all gearing up for the first leg of the European Tour schedule in Tenerife in a fortnight’s time, the result was a close facsimile of the formbook.

“The main difference I can see between the two teams is that we play this game for a living and we are expected to win,” said Moult.

“Also, we have so much pride at stake. My team were great today and they all played very well. But the future of British women’s golf is looking pretty healthy and there is some big talent going to come through in the years to come and it’s great to see this event getting bigger each year. The galleries were fantastic and it’s so nice to have that kind of atmosphere to play in.”