Northern Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey will make her Ladies European Tour debut this week when she lines up in the Lalla Meryem Cup at Golf de L’ Ocean in Agadir, Morocco on March 13-16.

“I’m extremely thankful to Sir Nick and the Ladies European Tour for giving me this amazing opportunity,” said Mehaffey, a member of Royal County Down Golf Club in Northern Ireland.  “The Faldo Series is different to other amateur tournaments in that if you perform well at a Grand Final you can be invited to play in a professional Tour event, which is a huge prize,” added Mehaffey, who finished runner-up in the girls’ division at the 2013 Faldo Series Grand Final. “I’m looking forward to testing myself against some of Europe’s best players in Morocco.”

Sir Nick Faldo arranged the invitation for the 16-year-old through the Ladies European Tour, which lends its support to the six-time Major winner’s global golf development programme.

“We are delighted Olivia has taken up this invitation to play in the Lalla Meryem Cup, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The Ladies European Tour has enjoyed a close collaboration with the Faldo Series to help provide playing opportunities for developing young players.  It will be a tremendous experience for Olivia to compete alongside the best players in European golf and enjoy the atmosphere of a Ladies European Tour event,” said Di Barnard, Tour Director of the LET Access Series.

“I’d like to thank the Ladies European Tour for their ongoing support,” said Faldo. “This is a unique opportunity for Olivia to compete against some of the world’s top professional golfers and I’m sure she will make the most of the experience”.

Supported by The R&A, ISPS Handa and The European Tour, the 2013 Faldo Series Europe schedule featured a record 20 tournaments in 15 countries including six in England plus others in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Chile, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Wales, Brazil, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Greece and the USA.

Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year.  Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

In September 2014, Faldo will begin taking students at a full-time residential academy for education and golf development in America.  The first ever Faldo Series Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona marks another significant step in the programme’s history.

For more information on the Faldo Series visit www.nickfaldo.com.  You can also follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/faldoseries.

About The R&A

Based in St Andrews, The R&A organises The Open Championship, major amateur events and international matches.  Together with the United States Golf Association, The R&A governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings.  The R&A’s working jurisdiction is global, excluding the United States and Mexico.

The R&A is committed to working for golf and supports the growth of the game internationally and the development and management of sustainable golf facilities.  The R&A operates with the consent of 143 organisations from the amateur and professional game and on behalf of over thirty million golfers in 128 countries.  Visit www.randa.org. 

About ISPS Handa

ISPS Handa is a ‘General Incorporated Association’ based in Tokyo.  ISPS Handa was founded by Japanese philanthropist, Dr Haruhisa Handa in 2006 to support charitable causes throughout the sporting world.  ISPS Handa has fostered partnerships with golf governing bodies worldwide to help develop the game at every level and promote blind and disabled golf.  ISPS Handa’s heritage in supporting blind and disabled golf and Dr Handa’s interest and philanthropic contribution in golf has formed the foundation of its wider mission for golf to become a Paralympic sport.  Visit www.ispsgolf.com.

About the European Tour

The European Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf.  From the origins of the professional game – building the proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity – to showcasing its diverse global talent and rich landscapes, the European Tour’s innovative approach enables it to embrace the world, combining championships of tradition with new tournaments in the cities and countries of the future.  Visit www.europeantour.com.