Annette Walker at the Ricoh Women’s British Open

The first time we heard from Annette Walker was via Twitter, @TinkWalker. Annette was one of the lucky winners of a ticket to the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters last week. When we contacted her she told us that she already had her tickets and she was coming from… AUSTRALIA! She explained that she and her friend were coming to the UK to attend our two tournaments: the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. Nice pick, Annette!!

During day 1 at the Ricoh Women’s British Open, we caught up with possibly our best Australian fan!

Annette said: “I started to play golf 20 years ago and my handicap is 20. I have just had my 50th Birthday recently and I have been inspired in Australia by women’s golf, mainly Karrie Webb. We have great support in Australia with Laura Davies, part of the LET, coming to Australia every year and as I live in West of Australia, I travel to Queensland most years, since 1991 and I have been to the tournaments, maybe 15 times… I have met many players from the LET.

Many of the players have given us many good tips, so after the tournament, you put that into practice. I think the women’s golf and the professionals are very amicable and easy to talk to and, sometimes, when there is a break on the tee box, they spend time talking with you.

I have also been to men’s tournaments and it’s a complete different game. It is very hard to see the ball, they hit it very hard and very fast. The women’s game and strategy are far more particular. They putt extremely well and the chipping…. their short game is fantastic. And as I said, they are very friendly.

I follow the Ladies European Tour online, as obviously I am not in Europe, through the website, Facebook and Twitter and I love it! I look online every week if there is a tournament. I re-Tweet, I enjoy all the photographs and really enjoy the interviews… The only problem is that I would like to purchase some merchandise, but it is not available.

This year for my 58th birthday and the celebration of the good health with my friend, we decided to come here, to the RWBO. This is a birthday present!

This is not my first time in the UK. I was actually born in Dundee, just across the road from where we are, at St. Andrews. My family emigrated in 1969. My parents were young at the time and they took us to a new adventurous world, they took us to Australia. It’s very successful for us, giving the opportunity to find a place where we could work, save our money and come back here. This is my second British Open. I try to come back every five years to the UK and if there is a tournament on when I am here, I certainly go to see the golf tournaments.”

Thanks Annette for being such a good fan!