MCB Ladies Classic Press Conference Sets the Stage

The Ladies European Tour is thrilled that the “red carpet has been laid out” for its first tournament on the island of Mauritius.
History will be made from May 1-3 when the finest women golfers on the Europe-based circuit compete on Mauritius for the first time in the MCB Ladies Classic.

 LET’s new chief executive Tom Phillips says he and the players have been overwhelmed by the reception and organisation of the event at Constance Belle Mare Plage.
“This is actually my first month in the role, but my first week on the tour with the LET,” he said. 
“And I'm just assuming that it's like this every week! I'm told it's not! 
“We are hugely grateful to the welcome, which I would describe as the red carpet treatment, we've been receiving this week. 
“Myself, all the players, all our team as well, and all our partners, we know that Constance and MCB are really going the extra mile here to make us feel so welcome and we're truly grateful for that.”

A stellar field has formed in the Indian Ocean for the first playing of the MCB Ladies Classic, and a collection of players stand out as favourites for the title.
Agathe Laisne has won twice on the LET this season and goes into the event at the top of the order of merit table, and with a Solheim Cup opportunity on the horizon.
“I'm very excited by the chance to play here - I think every week should be like this!” the French player told the pre-tournament press conference. 
“I like to look at the ocean - it's very peaceful. I’m very, very excited that this is my first full year on LET and we get the Mauritius event. 
“I’ve walked on the beach and I absolutely loved the buffet in the hotel! That’s been awesome. So much fruit and different sections. It was insane!”

Esme Hamilton of England won last week in South Africa and is fourth in the order of merit. She is very clear about what she needs to do to go ‘back to back’ on Constance Belle Mare Plage’s famed Legend course.
“I'd say off the tee, it's very important to keep it in play. There are also beneficial sides on each fairway to be on, and the greens are small,” she said.
“So I think every single element of our games will be tested on this course. It's in excellent condition, especially after the wee bit of rain we got at the start. It's a beautiful golf course.
“I have to admit it is a little bit difficult to remind myself we are here to play golf – it is just a stunning place. 
“We had a welcome dinner last night and I was able to relax a little bit there and enjoy it. But throughout the day, yeah, I'm focused on the golf course, but it's also so beautiful!”

Others to look out for are England’s Meghan MacLaren, Pia Babnik of Slovenia and Casandra Alexander of South Africa.

Jean-Jacques Vallet, CEO of Constance Hotels, reiterated at the press conference how this first hosting of a ladies event in Mauritius is a continuation of the company’s journey in golf.
“It's a really an honour to host this inaugural tournament and to welcome the Ladies European Tour team and such an exceptional field of players on our island,” he said.
“We started our hotel group with golf. We have several hotels in the region, but golf was the main anchor, so golf is part of our DNA. 
“We were the first to invite pro golfers for a professional tournament on the very first golf course and we have been accompanied for many  years by our friends, partners, sponsors, lead by MCB. Thanks to MCB, this is the natural continuation of our journey.”

Jean Michel Ng Tseung, CEO of MCB Group, has said the historic tournament at Belle Mare Plage fits in with the company’s ethics and outlook.
“MCB is immensely proud to be the title sponsor of the MCB Ladies Classic,” he said. “And it is indeed a moment of great pride for Mauritius, hosting women's sports at the highest international level. 
“And what makes this event for us even more meaningful is that it brings together a number of things that we value greatly and that we care genuinely about. About our passion for golf and in particular, the values that this sport stands for; excellence, respect, integrity, trust, resilience. 
“It is an opportunity to showcase Mauritius to the whole world, including its natural beauty, the warmth and hospitality of its people, and the rich culture of the country.
“Third, it is about the exceptional talent of all these world-class sportswomen who will be competing and who will be inspiring us every minute over the next few days. 
“And last but not least, it is about the importance of diversity and inclusivity, not just in sport, but also as a reflection of the type of society that we would like to develop.”

More on the MCB Ladies Classic here