Virginie Lagoutte-Clement, a two time winner on the Ladies European Tour, has become the official touring professional at Domaine de la Valdaine in France.

The 30-year-old from Montelimar, which is located between Lyon and Marseille, started her golf career at the club when it opened 20 years ago and she now lives just off the par-four 16th.

“This year, for its 20th anniversary, the new owner (a woman) will invest in golf and especially in women’s golf,” explained Virginie. “She asked me to be the touring pro. Since June 2008 after the birth of my daughter Victoria I have lived on the golf course, at the driving distance of the par-4 16th.”

With two LET victories on her resume, Virginie is one of the tour’s most talented competitors.
She claimed her maiden title at the 2005 KLM Ladies Open in the Netherlands and collected her second trophy at the 2006 Finnair Masters in Helsinki.

Her most consistent year was 2007, when she was 11th on the New Star Money List with season’s earnings of €150,658. That year her best finish was second at the EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters in India.

Last year, she was forced to take some time out due to the birth of her first child on 17th May, but it didn’t stop her from playing in eight events and finishing 89th on the New Star Money List.

In July, just two months after the birth, she decided to play at the AIB Ladies Irish Open at Portmarnock Links for fun and finished in equal 20th place.

Five tournaments later and she also tied for 17th at the Dubai Ladies Masters in an extremely high quality field, proving herself one to watch.

“I hope to win a tournament and will try to play in the Evian Masters; this is the objective for this year,” said Virginie, whose husband Sebastien, a fellow tour pro, is also her caddie. “My game is not very good at the moment but I’ve been working with my coach and it should be okay by Switzerland.”

Between now and the start of the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open on 11th May, Virginie has vowed to work hard on her game at the Domaine de la Valdaine.

The 18-hole golf course, designed by Tom Macauley, is located in the Drome Valley. The first nine holes are more open and surrounded by small trees while the back nine holes are trickier, with a river that comes into play. The clubhouse is located alongside a 14th century castle, formerly the residence of the Marquis d’Arlande. There is also a three-star hotel and restaurant offering regional produce.