SANDY Lodge Golf Club in Northwood is hosting the 2014 English Senior Women's Amateur Championship from April 22-25.

The championship, open to female amateur golfers over the age of 50, is to be played in two stages: First, there is a 36-hole strokeplay competition over two days.

The players with the 16 lowest scores qualify for the second stage knockout matchplay to decide the champion.

A further separate matchplay event for the next 16 players is also played.

This is the second time in recent years that Sandy Lodge has been selected as a test for top players in national events.

Next year, the club begins a five-year period as a regional qualifying venue for the world’s top championship, the Open.

Only last week, a strong field of golf professionals played in the first TP Tour Series event of the year.

The event attracted four European Tour winners and there were two premier league footballers in Andriy Shevchenko and Simon Davies, who competed.

The course was opened in 1910 on a site chosen primarily for its sandy soil and excellent drainage.

This has been severely tested during the recent wet weather and has fully justified its local reputation for being playable even in the most extreme conditions.

Sandy Lodge general manager Clive Bailey said: “The club has invested heavily in course development in recent years and this has not gone unnoticed in the top golfing circles.

“Our exceptional practice facilities have also been a factor in singling us out for these important events.”