New LET feeder circuit

AMATEURS and professionals will play against each other on a new second-tier circuit being launched by the Ladies European Tour this year.

The LET Access Series will be the official feeder tour to the Ladies European Tour, taking on a similar role to the Futures Tour in the United States. It will comprise of a series of events that are being organised by the Ladies' European Tour in partnership with the French Federation and the top player in the rankings at the end of the season will earn a spot on next year's main circuit.

The LET Access Series is open to all female professional golfers as well as amateurs, providing they are over 18 years of age and have a handicap of three or better. The amateurs will play for points instead of money and would only have to make a decision about turning professional at the end of the season.

Three events have been arranged so far – the first will take place near Biarritz in the middle of next month – and each will carry a prize fund of around 25,000.

Georges Barbaret, President of the French Federation, said: "We hope that other countries will join us soon to build together a real European circuit."