Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival

MANDY EASTON AND DAUGHTER

CARA KNOW FEBRUARY

WEATHER IN MURCIA IS

IDEAL FOR GOLFING

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Dalmahoy Golf Club mother-and-daughter members Mandy and Cara Easton have confirmed their entries to the Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Winter Golf Festival.
Mandy has a handicap of five and 15-year-old Cara, pictured left, plays off eight.
“We have a Timeshare at La Manga – which is not all that far away from Hacienda del Alamo – and we will be out there in February,” said Mandy.
“Cara learned to play golf at La Manga and played her first rounds out there when she was only five years old so it will be quite special for her to play in a major competition in the area.
“She has been a member of the SLGA winter training squads for the last few years but didn’t have a very good year (2007) as she was concentrating on persevering with major swing changes with Spencer Henderson, the SGU National Junior Coach.”
Cara won the Scottish Under-14 girls’ championship in 2005 and was runner-up in the same event last year.
In this year’s Scottish Under-18 girls’ championship at Peterhead, she had a hole in one at the 10th in the first qualifying round.
“It’s great to see that you have entries coming in. We’ve been out at La Manga in February for the last three years and we've have had better weather then than we have had in October," said Mrs Easton.

"It is just ideal golfing weather in February in Murcia and we have found that it really is a great start to the golfing season and, after after all, it is the Costa Calida – the Sunshine Coast.
"I think your idea of mixing some competitive golf and practice in wam weather conditions at a top class golfing resort is the right one.
"The new clubhouse looks fabulous. I really hope the Festival ends up as a great success."

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S

WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL

PROGRAMME

Sunday, February 10:

Check in with Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson. Practice day over Dave Thomas-designed course which is considered one of the best to be opened in Spain in recent years.

Monday-Tuesday, February 11-12:

Two-round stroke-play competition.

Thursday, February 14.

One-round stroke-play, possibly Stableford.

Saturday, February 16:

Team event. May be pro-am (if we get enough professionals). If not it will be better-ball pairs or best-ball threesomes (partnerships drawn out of hat).

Sunday, February 17:

Check in with Tournament Controller if not already done so. Practice day over Dave Thomas-designed course.

Monday-Tuesday, February 18-19

Two-round stroke-play competition.

Thursday, February 21

One-round stroke-play, possibly Stableford.

Saturday, February 23

Team event (see Saturday, February 16).

Practice facilities

Driving range has 30 bays in two tiers.

Six-hole Academy course.

Big practice putting green.

Big pitching-chipping practice green.

Bunker practice area.

Who can enter the Festival?

Open to Lady professionals and Lady amateurs (maximum handicap 9).

No minimum or maximum age.

Separate prize lists for professionals and amateurs.

If we get enough entries, the amateurs section will have prizes for Under-18 girls and Over-50 seniors.

Entries so far:

PROFESSIONALS

Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).

Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).

AMATEURS

Orla BARRY (Ireland) handicap 5.

Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8.

Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5. Age 15.

Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough, Northants) handicap 5. Age 16.

Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.

Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough, Northants) handicap 4.

Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough, Northants) handicap 7. Age 13.

Natasha MORGAN (Lynn University, Florida).

Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.

Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1.

Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1

To be confirmed:
Rachael LIVINGSTONE (Musselburgh Old) scratch.

HOW TO ENTER

You must E-mail your entry to colin@scottishgolfview.com, giving name, state whether amateur or professional, name home golf club and handicap if an amateur, give date of birth if under 18 years.

There is no deadline for entries but there is room for only 60 to 70 competitors because of the restricted daylight hours in mid-February. It will be first come, first served, and a waiting list will be opened if necessary.