“Play Golf through Latvia”: Results

OlyBet Sports Bar and the LGF’s unique challenge “Play Golf through Latvia” has concluded, and we now know the players who will represent Latvia on international level.

With the end of the summer fast approaching, the most important new project in the life of Latvian golf has concluded at the modern Jūrmala Golf Club complex in the form of the “Play Golf through Latvia” initiative jointly created by OlyBet Sports Bar and the Latvian Golf Federation (LGF). As part of it, Latvian golfers had the chance to qualify for the DP World Tour Cazoo Open de France, which will take place from 21 to 24 September at the legendary “Le Golf National” course in Paris.

Three players got the chance that many amateur golfers can only dream of – to head out onto the course and play in the same group as World Tour professionals in their pre-tournament preparation round on 20 September. Another surprise was conjured up in the form of three more lucky winners whose names were drawn in a prize draw and who won an all-expenses paid trip to watch the tournament in person as spectators.

The winners and lucky draw winners were decided on 10 September. The final competition attracted a large number of players and spectators. The girls from OlyBet Sports Bar generated the atmosphere, playing various competitions offering the chance to win valuable prizes.

The culmination was the announcement of the winners and the prize draw. Initially, the prizes were intended only for the winners of the tournament, however, shortly before the final event, it was announced that three more lucky ones will also have the opportunity to go to Paris as spectators. Reinis Miljons won the men’s competition, while Aija Orniņa was the best in the women’s tournament. Meanwhile, Lidija Gavrilova was the third player to qualify to play in the Cazoo Open de France Pro-Am tournament.

Asked for her comments after her win, Orniņa said, “I play golf often and likewise I approached this tournament with real focus. I really wanted to play in it. It was not that long ago that I had not yet attained the required handicap, but I went to succeed in getting it. I did everything I could – not only to participate, but also to win. And as we all know, the eternal truth of life is if we really want to achieve something, then we have to go ahead and do it. And if you do this, it will pay off.”

She also outlined her future plans after her wonderful win, “For some time now, every weekend I take every opportunity to play in tournaments every weekend on both Saturday and Sunday. Now I’ll continue training, probably twice as much! Because I am going to defend Latvia’s honour in the international arena. I want to perform to the best of my ability, so I don’t embarrass myself, and so I can make the Latvian golf family happy!”

Miljons was also asked about the foundation for his victory, to which he replied: “The prize was extremely motivating, so many thanks to OlyBet Sports Bar and the Latvian Golf Federation (LGF). I play golf regularly and in this competition I beat my handicap and began well. I have also finished runner-up in the Latvian Championship, so I knew what I was capable of. Naturally, I had my share of luck, but overall I played well and the favourable conditions helped me to win.”

He also discussed the current tournaments in Latvia, and once again highlighted the uniqueness of the “Play Golf through Latvia” project: “There are enough tournaments in Latvia right now.

We have organized tours, which probably span most of the local competitions that attract the best amateurs in Latvia. However, the “Play Golf through Latvia” concept is the best golfing experience I’ve had in recent times. It’s a unique opportunity for tournament winners to play golf with the world’s best golfers in Paris, which is the kind of thing that happens once in a lifetime. To be honest, I’ve no idea how you can get there as a player – you probably need big sponsors. In Latvia, golf has not yet developed at such a level, so being on the same course with world-class players will be incredible. I hope that we also see such initiatives in future.”