A SPECIALIST retail centre for women golfers is being opened at The Vale Golf and Country Club at Bishampton, near Pershore.

It will be one of five new female golf retail centres - all staffed by lady pros - to be launched at clubs run by Crown Golf.

The retail operation will be headed by Caroline Griffiths, a former Ladies' European Tour player, who will be based at The Vale.

The shops - opening in February - will be at Crown's Trent Park, near Cockfosters, North London, Abbotsley, St Neots in Cambridgeshire, Milford, near Guildford, Surrey, Sherfield Oaks at Basingstoke, Hants, and The Vale.

"We believe women are not given enough choices in terms of equipment," Ms Griffiths explained. "Very few clubs in the UK carry ladies' clubs and clothing at all.

"Due to the specialist nature of women's golf, we also feel it is difficult for women to receive advice or information that they can trust on what may suit them.

"The women's market is growing and we want to be at the forefront."

A Crown own-brand range of equipment for ladies is under development and will be available in June. The Female Golf Retail Centres will carry Green Lamb and Lyle & Scott equipment, plus clubs and putters, bags, custom-fit irons from Calloway, Cobra MD and Benross to cover all price ranges. Golf shoes will be supplied by adidas, Ecco, Footjoy and Hi - Tec. The centres will also stock clearance lines direct from the factory from Green Lamb and adidas.

Crown Golf is Europe's largest golf club owner / operator with 31 clubs and 55 courses across the UK.