FRILFORD Heath Golf Club will stage one of the leading events of the Women’s PGA Tour this year.

The Women’s PGA Professional Championship will be held on Frilford’s Blue Course on Tuesday July 19.

The 36-hole event, which is played on one day, boasts a prize fund of £6,000 – £1,000 more than last year.

Tracy Loveys, of Bigbury GC in Devon, will defend the title, which she has won for a record four times since the tournament was launched in 2003.

Sandy Jones, chief executive of the PGA, said: “In recent years there has been increasing demand to play in this championship, which is a huge positive.

“It shows there is more interest within the women’s section and illustrates a growth in ladies' golf.

“In recognition of that, it was decided that the tournament should become a standalone championship to give it the respect and recognition it deserves.

"More of our female members will get the opportunity to compete in the championship.

“It will be also staged on a different golf course from the PGA Professional Championship – and an excellent one in Frilford Heath.”