Online gaming company King Solomon's Poker has been unveiled as the title sponsor for the Ladies' English Open.

The online gaming company has given its backing to the prestigious event on the Ladies' European Golf Tour, held at Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent.

Officials at Chart Hills, which first staged the Ladies' English Open last year and subsequently signed an agreement with representatives of the Ladies' European Tour to host the event until 2010, were delighted to secure the sponsorship.

“It's a significant step and we are thrilled that King Solomon's Poker has given its backing to the Ladies' English Open,” said David Walls, general manager of the Kent golf club.

“This is the biggest sporting event in the south-east region this year and securing this sponsorship deal is a big boost to the event and to Chart Hills.”

Keren Fuchs, the marketing director for King Solomon's Poker which specialises in online, multi-player poker and offers registered users the chance to play poker for fun or for money in both cash games and tournaments, said: “We are proud of the association with the Ladies' English Open and with Chart Hills.

“It is the first time we have undertaken such a sponsorship in Britain, and we are glad to have such a relationship with an honourable club like Chart Hills which has a great heritage, history and reputation.”

The online gaming company backed April's inaugural London Golf Show, paving the way for involvement with the sport as a whole and then with a professional tournament.

“The initial communication with the Leaderboard group, owner of Chart Hills, came at the London Golf Show,” said Fuchs. “David Walls and Chart Hills are passionate about golf, we are passionate about poker. Knowing that, we are confident this is the right place for us to be.”

Sponsorship of the prestigious Ladies' European Tour event at Chart Hills comes at a time when poker playing among women has risen to an all-time high according to recent reports, with 40 per cent of King Solomon's online players being female.

Fuchs, whose company will have tables at the course during tournament week, added: “We are well removed from golf so it gives variety to both visitors and players alike who can try their hand at poker and have some fun.”

The Ladies' English Open is hosted by Chart Hills Golf Club in Biddenden, Kent, from July 8-10.

Tickets cost £5 on Friday, £10 on Saturday and £15 on Sunday. Season tickets cost £25 and family season tickets (for two adults and two children aged under 16) are £45 inclusive of parking. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster by calling 0870 1451165 or visiting www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

For more details, call David Walls at Chart Hills on 01580 292106 or e-mail davidw@charthills.co.uk, or call Keren Fuchs at King Solomon's Poker on 020 7284 6070 or e-mail kerenf@kspoker.com.