Happy home soil victory on Father’s Day
It could not have been more perfect for Holland’s number one female golfer, Christel Boeljon, who was back in Holland playing in her national championship, the Deloitte Ladies Open. She sparkled from start to finish in the 54-hole tournament at The International golf course near Amsterdam to become only the second ever Dutch winner of the championship with an impressive score of ten-under par. And today of all days: Sunday, 21st June – Father’s Day! Christel has really done her Dad proud.
Her convincing victory by four strokes delighted the crowds gathered round the 18th green as well as the enthusiastic team of Dutch Golf Federation volunteers who welcomed her into the Crew Café with rapturous applause after the formal prizegiving. Such is the lovely tradition in Holland: the newly-crowned Dutch Open Champion takes a flying visit to the tented village where she shows off her trophy and personally thanks the hundreds of volunteers from up and down the country for their invaluable work during the week.
The 27-year old from Alkmaar received the adulation in her usual quiet and reserved manner. Although the fans did manage to persuade her to make a ‘selfie’ in the Crew Café. Christel loves to play golf and win, but hates the limelight and all the media attention. It was a dream scenario to lead a European Tour event from day one and then have the luxury of holing the short winning putt, under no pressure, in front of her home crowd. Yet, she does admit to having felt a little emotional as she popped the final putt in the hole with no unnecessary fuss. But, if there was a tiny teardrop on her cheek, it was perfectly masked by the last few rain droplets that drizzled down onto the final pairing on the 18th green.
With her fourth Ladies European Tour win secured, a cheque for 37,500 euros and a bunch of valuable Solheim Cup points, Christel could well be indulging in a sip of well-chilled bubbly with family and friends this evening. Yes, it could be a very long night for the new Dutch Ladies Open Champion on this the longest day of the year.
Wendy Hoad
FINAL SCOREBOARD: 1. Christel Boeljon (NL) -10; T2. Emily Kristine Pedersen (DEN), Ursula Wikstrom (FIN) -6; T4. Christine Wolf (Austria), Lucie Andre (FR); Stacy Lee Bregman (SA) -5.
PHOTOGRAPHS: Christel Boeljon with the Dutch Ladies Open Trophy; Christel making a ‘selfie’ in the Crew Café. Copyright: Golfing Inspirations.
More photographs coming soon in ‘Image Gallery’.