Your essential guide to Surrey in 2010 - Sporting occasions
Originally published in Surrey Life magazine January 2010
It’s set to be an important year in Surrey. Here, we track down some of the top sporting occasions taking place this year, including the Surrey Sports Park opening, PGA Championship at Wentworth and the Epsom Derby
Surrey Sports Park opens in Guildford
With the Olympics only just around the corner, Surrey has now got its own state of the art sports complex. Set to host the newly named Surrey Storm Netball Team and the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup next year, the £36 million Surrey Sports Park opens early this year as part of the University of Surrey in Guildford.
PGA Championship at Wentworth
For the 26th year, the PGA European Tour rolls into Surrey. Following Paul Casey’s spectacular one-shot victory at the 18th in 2009, this year’s championship promises to continue the excitement. This famous course, which inspired the Ryder Cup with its backdrop of flourishing woodland and rhododendrons, will be back in the spotlight in May.
The Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse
Despite being dropped from TV’s sporting ‘crown jewels’ (a list of events that must be freely viewable to the British public), the Derby remains one of the nation’s biggest horse
races. Returning in June, the Queen will be hoping to see her colours ride to victory for the first time. However, competition may be provided by former Abba member Benny Andersson, who has entered a yearling of his own.
Tennis at the All England Club
Umbrellas and strawberries at the ready, as Grand Slam king Roger Federer, Oxshott’s own Andy Murray and the Williams sisters battle it out for court supremacy at Wimbledon this June and July. As always, it promises to be a treat for star-spotters as much as tennis fans, and Pimm’s will be keeping spirits high.
Cartier International Polo in Egham
The stars will be out for the highlight of the social season on Sunday July 25. The Cartier International Polo brings together everyone from English high society to transatlantic stars and members of the Royal Family in its cosmopolitan audience. And that’s not to mention the polo…
Surrey County Cricket Club on tour
While the Oval may have been annexed by Greater London in 1888, the club continue its county links by playing annual matches at Whitgift School in Croydon and Guildford Cricket Ground. Keep an eye out for this year’s dates.
