History was made on the Ladies European Tour's second tier last week when Anastasia Kostina became the first female Russian golfer to win an LET-sanctioned tournament.
The GolfStream Ladies Open in Kiev was itself historic, being the first Ukrainian-hosted women's professional tournament. It was also the first time the LET Access Series had ventured into Eastern Europe.
26-year-old Kostina, who played golf for Washington State University prior to turning professional, carded scores of 75-70-70 to complete a four-stroke victory on a final day of difficult 30kph wind.
Starting the last round four behind the overnight leader, Belgium's Benedicte Toumpsin, Kostina closed with four birdies in her final six holes to clinch the win in style. "I was surprisingly calm all day," she said afterwards. "I was asking myself, 'When am I going to start getting nervous?'"
European professional golf is no stranger to Russia, with the men's European and Challenge Tour having played the Russian Open on 13 occasions at Le Meridien Moscow CC (the course Kostina herself plays at and where she learned the game). The Challenge Tour also now plays the Russian Challenge Cup at the extravagant Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club.
But on-the-course success has proved more difficult to come by and Kostina's victory has excited plenty of press, TV and social media coverage.
With golf becoming an Olympic sport in Rio in 2016, even nations not previously linked with golf are looking to expand the game and Kostina is hopeful her win will give inspiration to young Russian golfers.
She trained with the Russian National Amateur Team during the winter and coach Uliana Rotmistrova has assured Kostina that her victory will encourage the team.
As Kostina explained, "The girls on the team have played with me, they know how I play and sometimes they beat me. They know if I can do it then they can do it as well. I think it's good for Russian golf, and for Ukrainian golf too, just to have an example."
The win also rounded a circle for Kostina and her clothing sponsor Poodle. The GolfStream Ladies Open win earned her a start in this week's Deloittes Ladies Open in Holland, not far from Poodle's Amsterdam base.
Poodle founder Wendy Byrne said, "We are thrilled we get to welcome Ana to Holland on the heels of her Kiev win, together with her fellow Poodle pros Becky Brewerton and Rachel Jennings - we can't wait to see them all here and for the golf to begin!"
A small but passionate operation, whose support of the players on the LET is unparalleled, it's sure to be a big week of celebrations for Poodle golf.
golf365.com