GOLF: Binning makes Swedish tour

From the Oxford Mail, first published Thursday 24th May 2007.

Frilford Heath champion Jane Binning takes a massive leap in her career today by making her debut on Sweden's professional tour.

Binning, 24, tees up in the first event at Ljunghusens Golf Club, just south of Malmo, as one of a handful of amateurs accepted by Telia Tour bosses.

The Swedish tour feeds directly on to the European Tour, which Binning is now targeting in 2009.

She said: "I sent off lots of applications and got accepted.

"There are 13 tournaments throughout the year and I'm trying to raise enough money to play in all of them.

"The difficult thing is that amateurs can't win prize money or have sponsorship endorsements.

"My aim is to make the cut in the first event. It is going to be a huge learning curve for me.

"At the very least I can go and feel what the competition is like out there."

Binning, whose exact handicap is 2.5, needed to be below three to have a chance of being accepted.

She has not ruled out trying to become a professional in the future, but admits there are many challenges before that.

"At the moment I just want to compete as an amateur," said Binning.

"It is a big jump from playing club golf."

Fellow Frilford member Di Phipps, who has a house nearby, travelled out with Binning yesterday and will assist her during the 54-hole event.

Binning's parents are also coming out to support.

She said: "I don't know much about the course, except that it is a links style.

"They have sent me no information whatsoever."

Binning added: "This tour is an official feeder for the European Ladies Tour.

"I want to get as high as possible up the Order of Merit and be accepted again next year.

"After that I want to get onto the European Tour as as an amateur in 2009."

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