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from Colin Farquharson
2003 Lisbon World Amateur Golf Classic
THE organisers of the inaugural Lisbon World Amateur Golf Classic from
May 3 to 10 are hoping that its anticipated entry of at least 300 players
will include a percentage of Scots.
"It would be great to have a lot of Scots golfers in the field. In
events we have run in the past in Portugal, we've have had a few from
Scotland play , but never the same numbers as we get from Ireland and
England/Wales," said Louise Brown of organisers Team Frith.
The four-round tournament, to be played over the Praia del Rey, Belas,
Penha Longa and Oitavos courses to the west of Lisbon, will be open to
men (handicap limit 26) and women (handicap limit 36).
Players will compete in their handicap categories and the leaders in each
section will qualify for the fourth and final round at Oitavos. Those
who miss the third-round cut will play in consolation events at Penha
Longa and Belas.
Every day, there will also be separate stableford competions, run in conjunction
with the main tournament and having daily prizelists.
The golf programme starts on Monday, May 5 and ends on Friday, May 9.
The Wednesday is a rest day with a chance to enjoy the many sights of
Lisbon or, for those who cannot get enough golf, there will be the opportunity
to play some of the other excellent courses within easy reach of Lisbon.
"We are sure that the ambience of the Lisbon region, the superb golf
courses and facilities, together with the warmth of the the welcome from
our people, will contribute greatly to the enjoyment and success of this
golf championship," said Antonio Verdasca of the Lisbon Sport and
Golf Bureau.
"We will certainly be doing our best to make this wish come true."
The tournament headquarters will be located in Estoril, close to the coastal
railway which offers an inexpensive, fast and frequent service to the
centre of Lisbon.
For the tournament entry fee of £349, a competitor will receive
five rounds of golf (including a practice round), a welcome party, evening
buffet and drinks reception, gala dinner, prize ceremony and entertainment,
return coach transfer to Praia del Rey, sponsors' gift bag and an exclusive
competitor's shirt.
Non-golfing partners (at a cost of £125) will be able to enjoy the
excellent hospitality, social functions and gala dinner.
The hotels recommended include Hotel Palacio in Estoril; Dom Pedro Lisbon,
Village Hotel in Cascais and the Hotel Vila Gale Estoril.
More details are available from Team Frith, Suffolk House, 56 Westgate,
Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 9YD (telephone 01507 354767; fax 01507 354784).
E-mail address: lisbon@teamfrith.com. Website: www.teamfrith.com
++The Lisbon Golf Coast beat off competition from Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina, Palm Springs, California and Spain's Costa del Sol to be voted
the "Established Golf Destination of 2002" at the IAGTO (International
Assocaition of Golf Tour Operators) Awards ceremony at Biarritz on December
10.
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