Two Under-16 girls' stroke-
play competitions added
to Hacienda del Alamo
February Festival

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Tournament Controller
Two important pieces of news with regard to the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival from February 12 to 17.
The first is that we are introducing not one but TWO Under-16 girls' open stroke-play events.
They will be played in tandem with the Murcia Ladies Open on Thursday and Friday, February 12 and 13, and the Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open on Monday and Tuesday, February 16 and 17.
Girls entering these competitions must be under 16 years of age on January 1, 2009.
The entry fee will be only 25 Euros per head for each of the Under-16 stroke-play competitions.
The second piece of Festival news is that John Green of Hacienda Golf Properties has become the Festival's "preferred partner" for the rental of villas/accommodation at the five-star resort.
That means if you are going to the Hacienda del Alamo February Festival, you should do one of two things, or maybe both.

1 E-mail John Green at info@hdagolfproperaties.com to find out what he can offer you and at what price.

2 Log on to John Green's website - http://www.hdagolfproperties.com/ - and see for yourself what he has to offer.

Revised Festival programme

The complete Hacienda del Alamo February Festival programme now reads:

MURCIA LADIES OPEN (36 holes)

Thursday-Friday, February 12-13

Open to lady professionals and lady/girl amateurs (maximum handicap 20)
Entry fee: Lady professional 70 Euros; amateurs 55 Euros.

MURCIA UNDER-16 GIRLS OPEN (36 holes)

Thursday-Friday, February 12-13.

Entry fee: 25 Euros.

ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM (18 holes)

Saturday, February 14
Lady professionals with teams of three amateurs (male or female).

Entry fee: Lady professionals 70 Euros. Amateurs 55 Euros.

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS (18 holes)

Sunday, February 15

First nine holes greensomes; Second nine holes better-ball.

Any combination of lady pros, female & male amateurs.

Entry fee: Lady professionals 70 Euros, amateurs 55 Euros.

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN (36 holes)

Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.

Open to lady professionals and lady/girl amateurs. Maximum handicap 20.
Entry fee: Lady professionals 70 Euros; amateurs 55 Euros.

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO UNDER-16 GIRLS' OPEN (36 holes).
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.
Entry fee 25 Euros.

(Closing date is January 15 for all Festival entries).

Every competitor is entitled to a free practice round.

Any queries? E-mail them to Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com
Entry forms can be downloaded from the http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/ website or Colin Farquharson will E-mail one to you on demand.

Spain-based Irish senior women's international & husband enter HdA
February Festival

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Spain-based Pamela Morgan, a senior international for Ireland last season, is one of the latest entries for the Hacienda del Alamo February Festival at the five-star Murcia resort from February 12 to 17.

Pamela lives at Estepona on the Costa del Sol with his husband Brian. They both play off 10 and they are both members at La Cala Golf Club.
They have both entered the St Valentine's Day pro-am on Saturday, February 14 and the Costa Calida Pairs competition on the Sunday. Pamela will also play in the 36-hole opening event, the Murcia Ladies Open on Thursday and Friday, February 12 and 13.

Both Pamela and Brian, pictured above, are entitled to a free practice round over the Dave Thomas-designed championship course which delighted the Scottish Senior Golfing Society Spanish Festival competitors last week.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When charity doesn't begin at home ...
When Brian and Pamela went on holiday to Gambia, they got more than a tan. They got a mission - to help the local people. Louise France hears their story.
You can read it by logging on to:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/oct/05/ethicalholidays.gambia

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A check on the Festival entries so far for next February (S denotes SENIOR, and G denotes Under-18 GIRL (on January 1).

MURCIA LADIES OPEN

Two rounds stroke-play

Thursday-Friday, February 12-13
Professional entry
Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)
Amateur entries

Mary McKenna (Donabate) S

Patricia Morris (Donabate) S

Fionnuala Forde (Donabate)

Margo Habets (Rinkven, Belgium)

Caroline Harper (Limburg, Belgium)

Natalia Zvezdina (Rinkven, Belgium)

Sandra Hendrickx (Rinkven, Belgium)

Louise Church (Hendon)
Pamela Morgan (La Cala) S

ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM

One round: Lady pro with three amateurs (male or female)

Saturday, February 14
Professional entries
Lien Willems (Belgium).
Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Amateur teams:

Mary McKenna, Patricia Morris & Fionnuala Forde (all Donabate).

Mary MacLaren, Meghan MacLaren & Rebecca Gee (all Wellingborough).

Margo Habets, Caroline Harper & Natalia Zvezdina or Sandra Henrickx + pro Lien Willems (Belgium).
Natalia Zvezdina or Sandra Henrickx & two other amateurs.
Pamela Morgan & Brian Harrold (both La Cala) + one other amateur
Amateur individuals:
Louise Church

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS

One round: First nine holes greensomes; Second nine holes better-ball.

Any combination of lady pros, female & male amateurs.

Sunday, February 15

Professional entry
Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)
Amateur pairings:

Mary MacLaren & David MacLaren.

Meghan MacLaren & Rebecca Gee.

Holly Clyburn & India Clyburn.
Pamela Morgan & Brian Harrold
Amateur individuals:
Louise Church (Hendon)

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN

Two rounds stroke-play

Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.
Professional entry
Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)
Amateur entries:

Holly Clyburn. G

India Clyburn. G

Mary MacLaren

Meghan MacLaren G

Rebecca Gee G

Louise Church

+Take advantage of the cheaper midweek flights to Spain by booking now. The prices will have risen if you leave it until January (January 15 is the deadline for entries, by the way).

+To find out details of how much it will cost you to rent accommodation at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort (the more who share, the cheaper it gets per head), here are some E-mail and website addresses:

info@stvmanagement.com

info@resortmanagementhda.com

info@homekare.co.uk

http://www.hdagolfproperties.com/

http://www.spaingolfrentals.com/

http://www.clubmurcia.com/

Hacienda del Alamo February Festival News

India Clyburn with the Four Counties Cup (courtesy of Mrs Clyburn). The four counties are Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Girls from these counties competed for the Net Cup which India, at that time playing off 20, won with a net 66.

Clyburns United for Costa

Calida Pairs: India (12)

partners Holly (17)

By COLIN FARQUHARSON (Tournament Controller)
Lincolnshire Under-13 county champion India Clyburn, only just turned 12 years of age, is the youngest player so far to enter the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo February Festival at the five-star golf resort in Murcia, south-east Spain.
India, who had qualified for next year's Wee Wonders World Championships at Pinehurst, has a handicap of 12.
She will partner her 17-year-old sister, England girl international Holly, a +1 player, in the Costa Calida Pairs on Sunday, Feburary 15 - first nine holes greensomes, second nine holes better-ball foursomes - and both Woodhall Spa Golf Club members will play as individuals in the 36-hole Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open on the Monday and Tuesday over the Dave Thomas-designed course.
We've had a lot of inquiries but here are the confirmed entries so far for the four events that make up the Festival:

MURCIA LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Thursday-Friday, February 12-13

Professional entry

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Amateur entries
Mary McKenna (Donabate)
Patricia Morris (Donabate)
Fionnuala Forde (Donabate)
Margo Habets (Rinkven, Belgium)
Caroline Harper (Limburg, Belgium)
Natalia Zvezdina (Rinkven, Belgium)
Sandra Hendrickx (Rinkven, Belgium)

Louise Church (Hendon)

ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM
One round: Lady pro with three amateurs (male or female)
Saturday, February 14
Professionals
Lien Willems (Belgium).

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina).

Amateur teams:
Mary McKenna, Patricia Morris (11) & Fionnuala Forde (12) (all Donabate).
Mary MacLaren, Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4) (all Wellingborough).
Margo Habets, Caroline Harper & Natalia Zvezdina or Sandra Henrickx + pro Lien Willems (Belgium).

Individual amateur entries (to be made up into teams of three nearer the date.
Natalia Zvezdina or Sandra Henrickx
Louise Church (Hendon)

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS
One round: First nine holes greensomes; Second nine holes better-ball.
Any combination of lady pros, female & male amateurs.
Sunday, February 15
Professional

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Amateur pairings
Mary MacLaren (4) & David MacLaren.
Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4).
Holly Clyburn (+1) & India Clyburn (13) (both Woodhall Spa).

Individual amateur entries (to be made up inito teams of two nearer the date).
Louise Church

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.

Professional entry

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Amateur entries:
Holly Clyburn
India Clyburn
Mary MacLaren
Meghan MacLaren
Rebecca Gee

Louise Church

+Take advantage of the cheaper midweek flights to Spain by booking now. The prices will have risen if you leave it until January (January 15 is the deadline for entries, by the way).

+To find out details of how much it will cost you to rent accommodation at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort (the more who share, the cheaper it gets per head), here are some E-mail and website addresses:

info@stvmanagement.com
info@resortmanagementhda.com
info@home-kare.co.uk

info@hdagolfproperties.com

http://www.hdagolfproperties.com/
http://www.spaingolfrentals.com/
http://www.clubmurcia.com/

Ladies Golf Union endorses Hacienda


del Alamo Golf Resort February Festival



By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Tournament Controller
The 2nd Hacienda del Alamo February Festival is being endorsed by the Ladies Golf Union.
The entry form for the four events over six days programme - Thursday, February 12 to Tuesday, February 17 - are being highlighted on the LGU website.
Fraser Munro, the LGU's Championship Manager, who visited the resort earlier this year and was highly impressed with the resort's facilities, says: "I was really impressed by the course and the quality of the practice facilities. For me there would be no better way to prepare for the new season than by spending a week or two at Hacienda de Alamo."
One important change for the 2009 Festival is that we have opened up the Saturday-Sunday events to allow MALES to enter the St Valentine's Day pro-am and the Costa Calida Pairs.
This is to encourage competitors to be accompanied by their husbands, partners or boyfriends, who will be able to share in the weekend action.
The two main events - the 36-hole Murcia Ladies Open (Thursday-Friday) and the 36-hole Hacienda Ladies Open (Monday-Tuesday) remain ladies/girls only.
Every competitor, whether they are playing in all four events or just one, is entitled to a free practice round over the Dave Thomas-designed championship course, which this week is hosting the Scottish Senior Golfing Society's Spanish Festival (switch over to http://www.scottishgolfview.com/ to see daily reports).
There is NO minimum or maximum age limit. All we ask is that the players have a handicap of 20 or less when they are competing in the Festival.
All four events that make up the Festival are open to lady professionals who pay a higher entry fee (70 Euros) than amateurs (55 Euros). The pros have their own prize lists. One or two have asked what the level of prize money will be. The answer to that is that so much depends on the number of professional entries. If we get, say, 30 for each event then the first pro prize would be around 1,000 Euros, scaling down to fourth or fifth place.
The more pro entries we get, then the bigger the pro prize funds. We are always open to offers of competition sponsorship!
Any queries or you want an entry form E-mailed direct to you? E-mail Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Hacienda del Alamo February Festival

European Tour director David will
play with wife Mary in Costa
Calida Pairs on the Sunday

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
The European Tour will be represented at the 2nd Hacienda del Alamo Women's February Festival for the second year in row - in an unofficial capacity in the person of David MacLaren.
David is the European Tour's Director of Property & Venue Development.
Last year David held a watching and relaxing brief as his wife Mary, daughter Meghan and family friend Rebecca Gee - all members of Wellingborough Golf Club, Northamptonshire - played in Festival events.
This time round, because we have widened the scope of the entries to allow males to enter the weekend events - the St Valentine's Day pro-am (Saturday, February 14) and the Costa Calida Pairs (Sunday, February 15) - David can and will team up with Mary in the pairs' competition.
Mary, Meghan and Rebecca all play off four of a handicap and are county team golf standard.
All three will make up one of the teams in the pro-am while Meghan and Rebecca will play together in the Costa Calida Pairs.
And Mary, Meghan and Rebecca will play as individuals in the 36-hole Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open on Monday and Tuesday, February 16 and 17.

The majority of the entries for the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Festival last February came from the Emerald Isle and a repeat could be on the cards. Orla Barry and Jane Whiriskey, both from Galway Golf Club, are both making a return trip and bringing a friend with them.
No entries from any professionals yet although Lien Willems from Belgium, who played in the inaugural Festival, says she is definitely coming again and bringing two amateur golfing friends with her this time.
Curtis Cup player and Scottish women's champion Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) and Jocelyn Carthew (Ladybank), the player she beat in the championship final at Lossiemouth last May, say they would love to play at the February Festival but cannot finalise their plans until they see how they fare at the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at La Manga Golf Resort, which is less than half-an-hour away from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
Two international golfers among the early entries - the legendary Mary McKenna from Ireland and England girl cap Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. Mary is now in the senior class as a competitor and we will have senior category prizes.

Competitors chasing places in the 2009 GB&I Vagliano Trophy team can rest assured that all the Festival scores will be brought to the attention of the Ladies Golf Union's international selection committee.
Here's how the entries are shaping for the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo February Festival

MURCIA LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Thursday-Friday, February 12-13
Amateur entries
Mary McKenna (Donabate)
Patricia Morris (Donabate)
Fionnuala Forde (Donabate)

ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM
One round: Lady pro with three amateurs (male or female)
Saturday, February 14
Amateur teams:
Mary McKenna, Patricia Morris & Fionnuala Forde (all Donabate).
Mary MacLaren, Meghan MacLaren & Rebecca Gee (all Wellingborough).

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS
One round: First nine holes greensomes; Second nine holes better-ball.
Any combination of lady pros, female & male amateurs.
Sunday, February 15
Amateur pairings:
Mary & David MacLaren.
Meghan MacLaren & Rebecca Gee.

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.
Amateur entries:
Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa).
Mary MacLaren
Meghan MacLaren
Rebecca Gee

+Take advantage of the cheaper midweek flights to Spain by booking now. The prices will have risen if you leave it until January (January 15 is the deadline for entries, by the way).
+To find out details of how much it will cost you to rent accommodation at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort (the more who share, the cheaper it gets per head), here are some E-mail and website addresses:
info@stvmanagement.com
info@resortmanagementhda.com
info@home-kare.co.uk

http://www.hdagolfproperties.com/
http://www.spaingolfrentals.com/
http://www.clubmurcia.com/

+Entry forms for the Hacienda del Alamo February Festival can be downloaded by clicking on the words at the top of the left-hand column on the Home Page of this website.

Holly Clyburn and Solheim Cup captain Alison Nicholas after their match at Woodhall Spa.

Rising star Holly Clyburn joins Mary

McKenna among early entries

for February's Spanish Festival

Holly Clyburn, one of the brightest young talents on the English amateur scene, has joined Curtis Cup captain Mary McKenna among the early entries for the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival at the five-star resort in the south-east Spanish region of Murcia.

Four events make up a busy programme at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort from Thursday, Febuary 12 to Tuesday, February 17.

Holly, who lives at Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire and is a member of Woodhall Spa Golf Club, has entered the 36-hole Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open on the closing Monday and Tuesday of the 2009 Festival.

She will have her 18th birthday during the week before the Festival starts and she will be hoping to produce a performance to impress the Great Britain & Ireland selection committee who will be monitoring scores from far and near in the early months of 2009 as they work their way towards a team of nine for the Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe in Hamburg, to be named after the British women's open amateur championship in June.

The Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival is one of the few opportunities for prospective selection candidates to put some competitive results on the board - and sharpen up their game at the resort's five-star practice facilities - early in 2009.

Holly Clyburn helped England to win the girls' home internationls title at Panmure Golf Club, near Carnoustie this past summer and she was also in the England team which beat Wales and Scotland in the 2008 schoolgirls international matches.

Holly also played in a top-level exhibition match which launched the Single Figure Golfer Challenge Cup over her home course at Woodhall Spa.

In a Ryder Cup-style format, the "Single Figure Golfers" played "The Pros," a team consisting of former Ryder Cup, Walker Cup and Solheim Cup players, including Paul Way, Gordon Brand junior, Steve Richardson, Alison Nicholas, Roger Champman, Jim Payne, Ricky Willson, Philip Walton, John McHenry and Gary Wolstenholme.

Holly showed her class in partnering Richard Latham to victory against current Solheim Cup captain Alison Nicholas and Gary Wolstenholme, now a professional but arguably the most successful English male amateur over the past two decades.

In a match of high quality, Holly staged a grandstand finish to birdie the 17th and 18th for victory in the opening day's four-balls.

In the Day 2 foursomes, Holly partnered Liam Hannan to an 8 and 7 win over the very experienced pairing of Paul Way and Roger Chapman.

In the afternoon singles, Holly was drawn against Alison Nicholas and their tie went all the way to the 18th green before Alison won.

For the record, the Pro Challenge team won by 14.5 to 5.5.

Just a reminder of the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival programme (every competitor is guaranteed a free practice round over the Dave Thomas-designed course which Ryder Cup player Miguel Angel Jimenez represents on the European Tour).

THURSDAY-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 & 13

MURCIA LADIES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP over 36 holes

Entry fees: Professional - 70 Euros; Amateur - 55 Euros.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM over 18 holes

Entry fees: Professional - 70 Euros; Amateur - 55 Euros.

+Entries from male amateurs, either as individuals or teams of three accepted for this event.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS TOURNAMENT over 18 holes

First nine holes alternate shot; second nine holes foursomes.

Entry fees: Professional - 70 Euros; Amateur - 55 Euros.

+Teams can be two professionals or amateur-professional or amateur-amateur.

Entries from male amateurs, either as individuals or as a team or two, accepted for this event.

MONDAY-TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 & 17

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN over 36 holes.

Entry fees: Professional - 70 Euros; Amateur - 55 Euros.

NO ENTRY FEES TO BE PAID UNTIL YOU CHECK IN WITH TOURNAMENT CONTROLLER COLIN FARQUHARSON IN THE HACIENDA DEL ALAMO GOLF RESORT CLUBHOUSE

BANK CHARGES FORCE IMPORTANT CHANGE OF MIND

Festival entry fees can be paid on

arrival at Hacienda del Alamo

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Tournament Controller, 2nd Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival

We have decided to scrap the need to pay a downpayment of 100 Euros towards competitors' entry fees for the four-event, six-day programme from February 11 to 17.

We are reverting to the format which was in place for the inaugural Festival last February, i.e. competitors don't pay their competition entry fees until they get to the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.

Why the about-turn, you might ask? Well, it's all to do with Bank Charges. We had opened a Euros currency account in this country into which all the advance payments would have been paid.

But after the first cheque for 300 Euros had been deposited, we received a Bank Statement a couple of weeks later, showing only 290 Euros in the account!

When we inquired what had happened to the missing 10 Euros, we were informed that this was the standard deduction for "bank charges."

So, had we continued to bank all the advance entry fees, the Bank, which shall remain nameless, would have deducted a minimum of 10 Euros and a maximum of 60 Euros for EACH transaction, depending on the size of the deposit.

As all the entry fees, less a few admin costs, go out again in cash or other prizes, the Festival just could not afford to continue this arrangement.

So, no entry monies needed up front. Simply fill in the entry form, cut and paste and E-mail it to Colin@Scottishgolfview.com

You can, if you wish, still post the entry forms .

LGU want top players to seek out warm-weather training/competition venues

Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort's two-tier driving bays plus the chance to hit balls off grass, which is not possible at many driving ranges. There is also a six-hole academy course, big practice greens for chipping/pitching (another rare facility) as well as putting. On top of that there are even practice bunkers.

Hacienda del Alamo Festival

is tailor-made for players chasing Vagliano Trophy

team places in 2009

By COLIN FARQUHARSON,

Tournament Controller, 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival

The Ladies Golf Union has today named a short leet of 26 players for next year's Vagliano Trophy match and is recommending that they should all consider going to a warm-weather venue in the winter to get in some intensive practice and competitive play at the same time.

Sounds very much like the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival to me ... superb practice facilities at this five-star Murcia resort with the unique opportunity to play in a four-event competitive programme over the February 11 to 17 weekend.

All the results from the Festival will be sent to the Ladies Golf Union and they will appear on http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/ every evening. I have no doubt that the GB&I selectors will be taking note.

Of course, as the LGU's Press Release today underlined, not being named in the preliminary GB&I squad does not mean that you cannot force your way into the team with outstanding displays in tournaments such as the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Festival.

If you scroll down, you can read about contacts for arranging rental accommodation at the Hacienda del Alamo Resort before, during and after the Festival.

Here's an E-mail on the subject, received just a few minutes ago:

Dear Colin
Many thanks for including our e-mail address on website information regarding the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Golf Festival. Just to point out that our e-mail address has changed to: floss@crampies.co.uk, which is the ideal e-mail address to use, although I can still pick up anything sent to the old address.

Our villa – “The Boat House” (own pool, sleeps six) can be viewed on the web-site www.haciendadelamovillas.com plus we also have a smaller, two-bed, two-bath townhouse with shared pool.

Prices for your dates in February: for The Boat House £600-700 per week, for the townhouse £400-£500 per week, depending on number of people and length of stay.
Thanks again and we look forward to being of help to you.
Kind regards,
Floss Cramp

DON'T LEAVE IT TOO LATE TO SWING IN THE FEBRUARY SUN

Renting villa accommodation for the


Hacienda del Alamo Women's


Winter Golf Festival

Before you enter the Festival, which has four events and a free practice round packed into seven days (February 11 to 17), you
should make inquiries about the rental accommodation available at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo, where all the competitions will be played.
Quotes for the short-term rental of villas at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort during the period of the Festival are available by E-mailing any of the following addresses:
management@stvgestion.com
info@spaingolfrentals.com
floss@crampies.freeserve.co.uk
haciendarental@aol.com
There is also rental information on the following websites:
http://www.spaingolfrentals.com/
http://www.haciendagolfrental.com/
http://www.haciendadelamovillas.com/

It is important to realise that one person renting a villa will find it quite expensive. Four (or more) people sharing the cost of renting a villa brings the cost per head down to affordable levels.
If you wish clarification on the arrangements at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, direct your inquiries in the first instance to:
Billy Sim, Director of Golf, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Mobile telephone: 0034 690 295 650
or E-mail him at
billysim@hdagolf.com

Festival Controller Colin Farquharson is available to handle your inquiries about the tournaments and entries at 01224 869782 or by E-mail at:
Colin@Scottishgolfview.com

Some points to bear in mind:
1 There are four competitions but you don't have to play in all of them. You may want to take Saturday or Sunday off to go sightseeing, no problem with that. You may have time only to play in one competition. That's OK with the Festival organisers. You are still entitled to one free practice round.

2 The 100 Euros to be sent with your entry form is not over and above your entry fees. It is part of or even more than your entry fee if you are playing in only one competition. You will be refunded at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort by Colin Farquharson if you have overpaid.

3 Buggies are available for hire at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort and will permitted for competition play. Where possible, two people should hire one buggy.

4 When making your flight arrangements, Murcia Airport is the one to fly to. It is less than 30min from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort and is not an expensive taxi journey. Alicante Airport, on the other hand, is well over an hour away and a taxi trip from Alicante to Hacienda del Alamo is expensive.

5 Although the Festival events are open to lady professionals as well as low-handicap lady amateurs/girls and those with handicaps up to 20, as well as senior ladies (50 and over on January 1), no amateur will be in direction competition with a professional. Each category has its own prize list.


6 We are encouraging MEN to come out to play in the St Valentine's Day pro-am when we hope all the professionals will be ladies but the amateur teams can be of mixed sex. If your husband, partner or boyfriend is a golfer, he can play in the pro-am and he will get a free practice round as well. If we get enough inquiries, we can also have mixed partnerships in the Sunday pairs competition which is nine holes of alternate shot and nine holes of better-ball.


7 January 15 is the deadline for entries but you are advised to enter before the end of this month to make sure of your place in what is a unique festival of fun and competitive play. And if you are a serious golfer, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort has five-star practice facilities: a two-tier driving range, a six-hole academy course, practice putting and pitching greens, a bunker practice facility.

IMPORTANT CHANGE IN VILLA RENTAL ARRANGEMENTS

Note from Colin Farquharson,

2009 Hacienda del Alamo

Women's Winter Festival Controller.

Sue Gardiner is no longer running a Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort villa rental business. This means that the information concerning Sue on all the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival entry forms in circulation no longer applies.

Below is a new list of contact E-mail addresses for arranging accommodation over the period of the Festival.

The entry form for downloading in the left hand column has also been updated.

ENTRY FORM FOR 2009 HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

WOMEN’S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: JANUARY 15, 2009

FIRST NAME SURNAME

ADDRESS

TOWN/CITY POSTCODE

COUNTRY

NATIONALITY

DATE OF BIRTH: (day-month-year)

AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL GOLFER

HOME GOLF CLUB/ATTACHMENT

EXACT HANDICAP (if amateur) ………

E-MAIL ADDRESS

TELEPHONE NUMBER MOBILE PHONE

COMPETITIONS I WISH TO ENTER.

Tick where appropriate

1 MURCIA LADIES OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

(Thu/Fri February 12- 13) o
Entry fee: 70 Euros for a professional; 55 Euros for an amateur.

2 HACIENDA DEL ALAMO VALENTINE’S DAY PRO-AM (Sat February 14) o
Entry fee: 70 Euros for a professional; 55 Euros for an amateur

+If you are an amateur and you know the names of the other two amateur team members, please list. Otherwise the organisers will include you in an amateur team of three.


3 COSTA CALIDA LADIES PAIRS TOURNAMENT (Sun February 15). o
Entry fee: 70 Euros for a professional; 55 Euros for an amateur

+If you know the name of your partner, please indicate. ………………………………….
+If you wish the organisers to fix you up with a partner, please indicate. o

4 HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN (Mon/Tues February 16-17). o
Entry fee: 70 Euros for a professional; 55 Euros for an amateur


I enclose a cheque for 100 Euros, made payable to Colin Farquharson.
I understand that the balance of my entry fees will be paid on arrival at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
Print out and post entry form and cheque to: Colin Farquharson, Cal Carson Golf Agency, Littleways, Baillieswells Road, Bieldside, Aberdeen AB15 9BS, Scotland.

SIGNATURE

DATE


RENTING ACCOMMODATION FOR THE FESTIVAL

Quotes for the short-term rental of villas at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort during the period of the Festival are available by E-mailing any of the following addresses:

management@stvgestion.com

info@spaingolfrentals.com

floss@crampy.freeserve.co.uk

haciendarental@aol.com

There is also rental information on the following website:

http://www.spaingolfrentals.com/
http://www.haciendagolfrental.com

It is important to realise that one person renting a villa will find it quite expensive. Four (or more) people sharing the cost of renting a villa brings the cost per head down to affordable levels.

Log on to http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/ for regular Hacienda del Alamo Festival news.

If you wish clarification on any point, direct your inquiries to:

Billy Sim, Director of Golf, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
billysim@hdagolf.com
Mobile telephone: 0034 690 295 650
or
Colin Farquharson, HDA WWW Festival Controller.
Calcarsongolf@aol.com
Telephone: (+44) 01224 869782

Euros only for 2009 Hacienda del
Alamo Festival advance payment

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
As the value of the £ is now at an all-time low against the Euro, I have decided that advance entry fee money for the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival must be a cheque for 100 Euros.
The option of sending a cheque for £100 has been discontinued.

Mary McKenna is first entry for

2009 Hacienda del Alamo

Women's Winter Festival

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

The Irish, who were the strongest supporters of the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival in February this year, have set the ball rolling for the 2nd HDA WW Festival from February 11 to 17, 2009.

And what a pleasure it is to welcome Ireland's legendary lady amateur golfer, Mary McKenna, recently reappointed captain of the GB&I team for the 2009 Vaglian Trophy match and the 2010 Curtis Cup match in America.
"I'm looking forward to playing what will be a new venue for me in Spain and also to playing in some winter sunshine," says Mary, a member of the Donabate club, Dublin.

Two other Donabate members - Patricia Morris and Fionnuala Forde - have joined Mary McKenna in sending in the first entries for the 2009 Festival.

Mary makes no secret of the fact she is old enough to play in seniors' golf, well, she couldn't, given the number of trophies, etc she has won in over-50s tournaments after a splendid career as an international amateur golfer in the 1970s-80s-90s.

And the 2009 HDA WW Festival will have prizelists for seniors.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Where is the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort?

Near the town of Fuente Alamo and the city of Murcia in the south-east region of Spain.

Which airport should you fly to?

Definitely Murcia Airport which is about 20min away from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort by car or taxi. You can fly to Alicante Airport but that is more than a 60min car journey away from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.

Any more questions about Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort and the 2009 Women's Winter Festival? Send them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Marc Warren is right - you

need to enter the

Hacienda del Alamo

Festival to get in

Winter Practice

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Here's an unsolicited advertisement for the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival (February 11 to 17) from a MAN.

Glasgow's Marc Warren, who defends the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles this week, told Mike Aitken of "The Scotsman" yesterday:

"You can't practise your short game in Scotland in the winter. You don't see the true flight of the ball and it's difficult to see what's actually happening. I want my practice to be more about playing rather than just trying to swing it pretty."

Marc could also have said you can't practise your short game in England, Ireland, Wales, the Scandinavian countries, in fact anywhere in Northern Europe during the winter.

That's why Billy Sim, the director of golf at Hacienda del Alamo, and I started the HDA Women's Winter Festival in February this year.

It was to give female golfers - professionals who can't afford to go Australia and such places, and amateurs (including over-50 seniors and Under-18 girls) with handicaps up to 20 - the chance to put in some sustained practice at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort's five-star practice facilities with the bonus of competitive play to put to the test what you have been working on in practice.

There are four events over the long weekend. But you don't need to play in them all.

Don't think because there will be lady professionals playing, that you have no chance of winning any prizes. Each section has its own prize list.

Pringle, Stewart Spence (The Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel, Aberdeen) and an oil company who don't want to be named but are delighted to support ladies/girls' golf are our sponsors. But we are always looking to add to the list.

If you want all the details about the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival E-mailed to you or you have questions to ask, E-mail Colin@Scottishgolfview.com

January 15 is the closing date for entries but you can enter now.

Time to start thinking seriously about the
2009 Hacienda del Alamo Winter Festival

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Only six months and a bit to go to the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival with its streamlined programme of four events over a long weekend (February 11 to 17).
Have you made up your mind about coming back if you enjoyed the inaugural event - which I am sure you did - or are you going to come for the first time with some friends?
You will find all the details if you click on the appropriate FESTIVAL words at the top of the left hand column and this is just a reminder that there are separate prize lists for:
*Lady amateur golfers with handicaps of 20 or under.
*Girl golfers with handicaps of 20 or under.
*Senior lady golfers with handicaps of or under.
*Lady professional golfers (who can take a party of female club members with them and coach them at the five-star HDA practice facilities if they wish).
If lady golfers want to go to Hacienda del Alamo with a male partner/husband/son, then they will be allowed to play over the Dave Thomas-designed course at a reduced rate when tee times are available. And males are welcome to join the ladies for the St Valentine's Day pro-am on the Saturday.
If you are looking for accommodation at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, here's some news from one of the villa owners: Phil Eastham

Colin,
We have a villa at Hacienda available to rent.

http://www.spainvillasandgolf.com/ is our web site.

My E-mail address is: phil.eastham@dsl.pipex.com

Thanks
Phil

Entering the HDA Festival?

Matthew has a villa to rent

Readers who are considering entering the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival from February 11 to 17 will be interested in the following E-mail from Matthew Simmons:

"I wondered if any of your golfers would be interested in renting our two-bedroom, two-bathroom villa which sleeps 4. It is situated in prime position near to the Hacienda del Alamo clubhouse, village and driving range.
"You will receive owners' rates when you go to pay at the clubhouse.
"Our rates include air/conditioning, central heating, linen towels and Sky TV.
"We also have a BBQ and communal pool.
"Our rates start at £275 per week. We are able to offer a 10% discount on these prices.
Based on four sharing, this works out at £63 per person in low season.
If you would like to see what the villa has to offer the web address is http://www.haciendagolfrental.com/"

Matthew Simmons

Haciendarental@aol.com

Corrected dates for 2009 Hacienda del Alamo

Women's Winter

Golf Festival

Apologies for putting up the wrong dates in February 2009 in my early release of details for the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival.

The Festival will still start on a Wednesday with a free practice round and finish the following Tuesday but the actual February 2009 dates were out of kilter.

HERE IS THE AMENDED LIST OF DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Wednesday, February 11 is the practice day.
First 36-holer is Thursday-Friday, February 12-13.
Pro-am is Saturday, February 14.
Foursomes is Sunday, February 15.
Second 36-holer is Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.

Colin Farquharson

Festival Organiser

++Any queries, please feel free to E-mail me at Colin@scottishgolfview.com

The news you've all been waiting to hear ...

The 2nd HACIENDA DEL ALAMO
WOMEN’S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL

February 11 to 17, 2009

FOUR TOURNAMENTS

OVER SIX DAYS

Open to lady professionals and

Silver Division lady amateurs

To be played at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, Murcia

in sunny South-east Spain

PROGRAMME

Wednesday, February 11: Free practice round over championship course.

1: Thursday-Friday, February 12-13: MURCIA LADIES OPEN (36 holes stroke-play)

2: Saturday, February 14: HACIENDA DEL ALAMO Pro-am (lady pros & teams of three amateurs, male or female, over 18 holes.

3: Sunday, February 15: COSTA CALIDA PAIRS competition (first nine holes alternate shot, second nine holes better ball).

4: Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17: HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN (36 holes stroke-play).

FIVE-STAR PRACTICE FACILITIES
The object of the Festival is to give players a chance to combine practice with competition at a time of the year when they are unlikely to be able to do so at home.

Hacienda del Alamo has five-star practice facilities: two big practice putting greens, big chipping/pitching green, bunker practice facility, 36-bay two-tier driving range, six-hole Academy course.
You can arrive early and practise …. And you can stay on and practise even more.

HOW TO ENTER
Entry forms are available by E-mailing Festival Director COLIN FARQUHARSON (Colin@scottishgolfview.com) or downloading them by clicking on the appropriate words at the top of the left hand column of your screen.
There are separate entry fees for each event but you do not have to play in them all.
Regular information updates on the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo WW Festival will appear regularly on this website.

When you are booking your flights, remember that Murcia Airport is less than 30min away from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort while Alicante Airport is more than 75min away from the resort.

HOW TO RENT A VILLA
Quotes for rental of villas at Hacienda del Alamo (the more players who share a villa, the cheaper it becomes) are available from SUE GARDINER of HM Rentals by E-mailing her at sue@hmrental.com

Log on to her website for details at: www.hmrental.com

SWING IN THE SPANISH SUN IN MID-FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR

Ladies European Tour professionals Lien Willems (Belgium) and Maria Martin (Spain) with their Spanish playing partners, Ignacio Sitja Guetas and Sebastian J Fernandez Gonzalez during the St Valentine's Day pro-am at the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.

Professionals Jenna Wilson (Strathaven) and Natasha Morgan from South Wales with their male playing partners, Simon and Trevor Taylor, in the St Valentine's Day pro-am competition at the recent Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival in Spain. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Galway golfers Jane Whiriskey, left, and Orla Barry with their Spanish playing partners, Ivan Garcia Martinez and Pablo Jose Tarraga Carrasco, at the St Valentine's Day competition during the recent Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.

Fun at the Festival: Ladies European Tour professionals Claire Coughlan and Martina Gillen with their amateur playing partners, Padraic Cantwell (left) and Gerald Charters (right) at the halfway house during the St Valentine's Day pro-am competition at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.

No wonder Rhian Thomas's middle name is "Wyn!"

Rhian Wyn Thomas , pictured above, a Vale of Glamorgan Golf Club member, was the outstanding amateur player of the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival in Spain earlier this month.
Rhian's parents do not play golf and she took up the game purely by chance - responding to an invitation at a golf exhibition by Welsh coach David Llewellyn for anyone who had never played golf to come forward and have a go.
She showed a natural skill right from the start and has never looked back.
Aged 20 and a two-handicap member of the Welsh Ladies Golf Union international squad, Rhian triumphed in both the Festival's 36-hole events.
She won the Murcia Ladies Open by seven shots from clubmate Anna Carling and the Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open by four strokes from university student Ami Storey (Ponteland) the following week.

Youngsters in Spanish Festival spotlight

Two youngsters who did well at the first week of the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival in Spain. On left, 12 year old Amber Ratcliffe from Royal Cromer Golf Club, Norfolk. On the right, 14-year-old Kirsten MacCallum from McDonald Golf Club, Ellon in Aberdeenshire.
Well played, girls!

TWO FIRST TIME
WINNERS AS
PROFESSIONALS
AT HACIENDA
DEL ALAMO
WOMEN'S
WINTER
FESTIVAL


MARTINA
GILLEN
(above)
from Ireland







and
LAUREN
DIGGLE (left)
from Wales

Hacienda del Alamo Winter Festival competitors

Colin Farquharson reports: For some reason I was not able to post a single picture from the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival on the website over the past two weeks. It may have something to do with a new camera.
Anyway, over the next week or so, I will be putting up some pictures from what was a very successful festival which will almost certainly be repeated at the same time of year, although shortened to seven days, running from one midweek to another so that competitors can take advantage of cheaper flights.
The first picture from the Festival shows some of the prizewinning competitors, outside the magnificent Hacienda del Alamo clubhouse, after the Stableford competition in Week 2.
Sue Gardiner, who organised most of the villa rentals, is on the extreme left, and Director of Golf Billy Sim is on the extreme right. You can enlarge the image by clicking on it.

JENNA WILSON GETS OFF MARK AS ROOKIE

PRO WITH VICTORY AT SPANISH FESTIVAL

Strathaven's Jenna Wilson, the reigning Scottish womens amateur golf
champion, scored her first win as a rookie professional today
at the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival at the five-star
Murcia resort in Spain.
Jenna picked up the 300 Euros first prize with a score of 33pt in the
professional Stableford event , finishing a slender point ahead of
Marjet van der Graaff (Netherlands).
In a very tight finish in ideal conditions - no wind, quite warm and
latterly sunny - Welsh rookie Natasha Morgan finished third with 31pt.
"A fortnight here at the Festival, practising every day with a
competition every two days or so, has really brought my game forward at
a time of the year when I wold have been stagnating in Scotland," said
Jenna.
Over a Dave Thomas designed course of some 6,500yd - longer than she
will encounter on the Ladies European Tour in the coming season and
with 86 bunkers to be negotiated, Jenna birdied the first, 13th and
15th and had a gross round of 75 (39-36).
Kintore's Katie Thomson, who is being trained as a PGA pro at the
Aspire Golf Centre near Aberdeen, finished fifth with 28pt.
In the Festival's Stableford 2 amateur section, Karen Ogilvy
(Auchterarder) finished second in Class 2 with 32 pt off 16 of a
handicap - two points behind Warrenpoint youngster Tara Gribben who
plays off five.
Karen's daughter Emily, who was beaten by Jenna Wilson in last year's
Scottish womens amateur championship final, also made the trip to
Hacienda del Alamo although she will have her right shoulder - badly
dislocated in a gymnasium mishap in January - strapped up until the end
of March.
So keen is Emily to keep her game ticking over that she has been
practising one-handed shots - left hand only on the grip - at the
resort's excellent facilities.

Results

Stableford 2 competition
Leading professionals
33pt Jenna Wilson (Sco).
32 Marjet van der Graaf (Ned).
31 Natasha Morgan (Wal).
29 Lauren Diggle (Wal).
28 Katie Thomson (Sco).
Leading amateurs
Class 1 - Ami Storey (Ponteland) (1) 36pt, Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park) (3) 33pt, Lisa Barton (Coventry) (2) 31pt, Sarah Carty (The Island, Dublin) (4) 30pt; Jane Binning (Frilford Heath) (2), Mary MacLaren
(Wellingborough) (4) 28pt.
Class 2 - Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint) (5) 34pt; Karen Ogilvy
(Auchterarder) (16) 32ptl; Judy McCairns (Frilford Heath) (9) 31pt;
Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) (7), Rebecca Gee (Wellingborough) (5).
30pt.

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AMI STOREY FROM PONTELAND TOP SCORES

WITH 36PT IN FESTIVAL STABLEFORD 2

University student Ami Storey (Ponteland Golf Club) had the day's best points score in the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival Stableford 2 competition today.

Ami scored 36pt after picking up 19 of them on the outward half. She won by three points in Class 1 (handicaps under five) from Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park), playing off three.

Warrenpoint teenager Tara Gribben top-scored in Class 2 (handicaps 5 and over) with 34pt off five. She had 18 points on the outward half, winning her section by 2pt from Karen Ogilvy, a 16-handicap Auchterarder GC member.

Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) won the girls' section with 30pt off seven of a handicap.

Scotland's Jenna Wilson scored the first win of her pro career in the professionals section. She compiled 33pt off the blue tees, slightly farther back than the reds from which the amateurs played.

Marjet van der Graaf (Netherlands) was runner-up with 32pt, one ahead of third placed Natasha Morgan from Wales.

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S
WINTER FESTIVAL 2008

WEEK 2 STABLEFORD (18 holes)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21

AMATEURS
CLASS ONE (hcaps under 5)

36pt Ami Storey (Ponteland) (1) 19-17.

33pt Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park) (3) 13-15.
31pt Lisa Barton (Coventry) (2) 17-14.

30pt Sarah Carty (The Island, Dublin) (4) 14-16.
28pt Jane Binning (Frilford Heath) (2) 13-15.
28pt Mary MacLaren (Wellingborough) (4) 16-12.

CLASS TWO (hcaps 5 and over)

34pt Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint) (5) 18-16.
32pt Karen Ogilvy (Auchterarder) (16) 16-16.
31pt Judy McCairns (Frilford Heath) (9) 14-17.
30pt Rebecca Gee (Wellingborough) (5) 17-13.
29pt Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) (5) 14-15.
28pt Annie Gowing (Frilford Heath) (5) 13-15.
26pt Paula Reynolds (Seapoint) (19) 14-12.
26pt Kate Evans (Frilford Heath) (7) 16-10.
19pt Gina Sim (Hacienda del Alamo) (20) 11-8.

GIRLS (Under 18 years)
34pt Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint) (5) 18-16.
30pt Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) (7) 14-16.
30pt Rebecca Gee (Wellingborough) (16) 17-13.
29pt Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) (5) 14-15.

PROFESSIONALS
33pt Jenna Wilson (Scotland) 15-18.
32pt Marjet van der Graaf (Netherlands) 13-15.
31pt Natasha Morgan (Wales) 14-17.

29pt Lauren Diggle (Wales) 15-14
28pt Katie Thomson (Scotland) 13-15.

PRO-AM SWEEPSTAKE TEAM
127pt Lauren Diggle (Wales) 29 & Ami Storey (Ponteland) (1) 36, Karen
Ogilvy (Auchterarder) (16) 32, Rebecca Gee (Wellingborough) (5) 30.
125pt Natasha Morgan (Wales) 31 & Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint) (7) 34,
Judy McCairns (Frilford Heath) (9) 31, Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) (5) 29.
119 Marjet van der Graaff (Netherlands) 32 & Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook
Park) (3) 33, Jane Binning (Frilford Heath) (2) 28, Kate Evans
(Frilford Heath) (7) 26.
118 Jenna Wilson (Scotland) 33 & Lisa Barton (Coventry) (2) 31, Mary
MacLaren (Wellingborough) (4) 28, Paula Reynolds (Seapoint) (19) 26.
116pt Katie Thomson (Scotland) 28pt & Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough)
(7) 30, Sarah Carty (The Island, Dublin) (4) 30, Annie Gowing (Frilford
Heath) (5) 28.

ends
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WELSH WINNERS AT SPANISH GOLF FESTIVAL

WELSH WINNING DOUBLE AT SPANISH
GOLF FESTIVAL

The rain in Spain today fortunately arrived too late to mar the double
triumph of Welsh players Rhian Wyn Thomas and Lauren Diggle in the
amateur and professional sections of the Hacienda del Alamo Ladies
Open, the 36-hole stroke play championship of the second week of the
inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women´s Winter Festival at the five-star
Murcia resort.
Vale of Glamorgan Golf Club member Rhian won the amateur title with
rounds of 75 and 72 for a four-over par aggregate of 148 over the
testing Dave Thomas designed lay-out.
Rhian has improved almost with every outing in the six-event Festival
which is open to lady professionals as well as amateurs.
What a pity that the 20-year-old two-handicapper cannot get into the
field for the Spanish women's open amateur championship at the end of
the month. A scratch handicap is the cut-off point. Rhian would have
certainly held her own the way she has played at the Hacienda del Alamo
Festival.
She had four shots to spare at the end of two rounds from Ami Storey
from the Ponteland Golf Club in the North east of England. Ami had
rouns of 77 and 74.
Lauren Diggle, who lives within sign of the future Ryder Cup venue at
Celtic Manor, won the pro title with scores of 75 and 71 for 146 off
the blue tees (a 6,500yd course), while Rhian Thomas compiled her
scores from the forward red tees (just over 6,000yd).
"I´m really proud of that second round 71. That's the best I-ve ever
played at Hacienda del Alamo," said Lauren whose parents own a villa at
Alicante, which is about a 90min drive from Hacienda del Alamo.
"There was no wind today and fortunately we were back in the clubhouse
before the rain came. It´s my 25th birthday next Monday and this was a
pre-birthday present. It-s my first ever win as a tour pro."
The victory was worth 350 Euros to Lauren who had eight shots to spare
over joint runners up Jenna Wilson from Strathaven, Scotland, a rookie
pro who won the Scottish women-s amateur title last year, and Marjet
Van der Graaf from the Netherlands. Both score 80 and 74.
Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough), only 13 years old but with five of a
handicap already, won the girls´scratch title with gross rounds of 77
and 83 for 160.
Tara Gribben, a 16 year old from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland, won
the girls handicap award with a net total of 160 off five.

All the scores

AMATEURS

SCRATCH
147 Rhian Wyn Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan) 75 72.
151 Ami Storey (Ponteland) 77 74.
152 Lisa Barton )Coventry) 76 76.
158 Jane Binning (Frilford Heath) 81 77, Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook
Park) 80 78..
160 Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 77 83.
162 Mary MacLaren (Wellingborough) 84 78.
163 Sarah Carty (The Island, Dublin) 82 81.
164 Orla Barry (Galway) 86 78.
167 Annie Gowing (Frilford Heath) 86 81.
170 Kate Evans (Frilford Heath) 89 81, Tara Gribben (Warrenpoint) 87
83, Vicky Smith (Hacienda del Alamo) 87 83.
171 Judy McCairns (Frilford Heath) 86 85.
179 Jane Whiriskey (Galway) 87 91, Carla Reynolds (Seapoint) 91 88.
188 Rebecca Gee (Wellingborough) 98 90.
202 Paula Reynolds (Seapoint) 98 104.

HANDICAP

Class 1 (0 to 5)
143 R W Thomas (2) 73 70.
148 L Barton (2) 74 74.
152 C Dalton (3) 77 75.
154 O Barry (5) 81 73, Mary MacLaren (4) 80 74, J Binning (2) 79 75.
155 S Carty (5) 78 77.
157 A Gowing (5) 81 76.
160 T Gribben (5) 86 74, V Smith (5) 72 78.
169 C Reynolds (5) 86 83.
178 R Gee (5) 93 85.

Class 2 (6 and over)
146 Meghan MacLaren (7) 70 76.
153 J McCairns (9) 77 76.
154 J Whiriskey )12) 75 79.
156 K Evans (7) 82 74.
164 P Reynolds (19) 79 85.

GIRLS
Scratch
160 Meghan MacLaren 77 83.
170 T Gribben 91 79.
179 C Reynolds 91 88.
188 R Gee 98 90.

Handicap
146 Meghan MacLaren (7) 70 76.
160 T Gribben (5) 86 74.
169 C Reynolds (5) 86 83.
178 R Gee (5) 93 85.

PROFESSIONALS
146 Lauren Diggle (Wales) 75 71.
154 Jenna Wilson (Scotland) 80 74, Marjet Van der Graaf (Netherlands)
80 74.
158 Natasha Morgan (Wales) 85 73.
169 Katie Thomson (Scotland) 83 86.

LEADING PRO-AM SCORES
(professonal´s score gross, amateurs nett)
299 Natasha Morgan 73 & Ami Storey 73, Annie Gowing 76, Sarah Carty 77.
300 Lauren Diggle 71 & Charlotte Dalton 75, Judy McCairns 76, Vicky
Smith 78.
301 Jenna Wilson 74 & Kate Evans 74, Lisa Barton 74, Jane Whiriskey 79.

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WELSH SET THE PACE AT START OF
SPANISH FESTIVAL'S SECOND WEEK

It was Wales´ day at the start of the second week of the Hacienda del
Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival at the five-star Murcia resort in
south-east Spain today when the clouds continued to blot out
the sun but there was no wind and they were pleasant conditions for
golf, a lot warmer than back in Britain.
Welsh pro Lauren Diggle established a five-strokes lead at the halfway
stage of the Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open professional championship
over 36 holes.
Lauren, whose parents have a villa at Alicante - about an hour's drive
away from Hacienda del Alamo, shot a three over par 75.
Lauren did very well to finish on that mark over the demanding Dave
Thomas course, considering she was three over par on the fourth tee.
She dropped a shot at the fourth and then had a double bogey 6 at the
fourth.
Lauren settled down after that to cover the next eight holes in two
under par with birdies at the long fourth and the par-4 11th.
She bogeyed the short 12th but got a birdie 2 at the short 15th but
shed late shots - as almost every player does over the so testing last
two holes. Lauren finished 5-6 against the par of 4-5.
In the professional event, Miss Diggle leads by five shots from
Scottish rookie Jenna Wilson from Strathaven, who won the Scottish
womens amateur title last year, and late entrant Marjet Van der Graaff
from The Hague in the Netherlands. Marjet finished 6-6 for her 80 while
Jenna finished 5-6.
On the Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open amateur front, one-handicapper
Rhian Wyn Thomas from the Vale of Glamorgan, who had a very good first
week in the Festival, leads the scratch race with a very steady 75.
On her heels is two-handicap Coventry player Lisa Barton with a 76.
Like Rhian, Lisa kept a 6 off her card - and not many players -
including the pros - have been able to say that on a course on which
the undulating greens have been causing problems, very frustrating for
those players who hit them in regulation.

2008 HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN
(36 holes Monday & Tuesday)

FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 72
AMATEUR SCRATCH
75 RHIAN WYN THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) 38-37.
76 LISA BARTON (Coventry) 38-38.
77 MEGHAN MacLAREN (Wellingborough) 39-38, AMI STOREY (Ponteland) 39-38.
80 CHARLOTTE DALTON (Ladbrook Park) 42-38.
81 JANE BINNING (Frilford Heath) 38-43.
82 SARAH CARTY (The Island, Dublin) 42-40.
84 MARY MacLAREN (Wellingborough) 40-44.
86 ORLA BARRY (Galway) 42-44, JUDY McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) 40-46,
ANNIE GOWING (Frilford Heath) 43-43.
87 VICKY SMITH (Hacienda del Alamo) 46-41, JANE WHIRISKEY (Galway)
44-43.
89 KATE EVANS (Frilford Heath) 47-42.
91 TARA GRIBBEN (Warrenpoint) 48-43, CARLA REYNOLDS (Seapoint) 50-41.
98 REBECCA GEE (Wellingborough) 49-49, PAULA REYNOLDS (Seapoint) 51-47.

AMATEUR NET SCORES
70 MEGAN MacLAREN (7).
74 LISA BARTON (2), RHIAN WYN THOMAS (1).
75 JANE WHIRISKEY (12).
76 AMI STOREY (1).
77 JUDY McCAIRNS (9), CHARLOTTE DALTON (3).
78 SARAH CARTY (4).
79 JANE BINNING (2), PAULA REYNOLDS (19).
80 MARY MacLAREN (4).
81 ORLA BARRY (5), ANNIE GOWING (5).
82 VICKY SMITH (5), KATE EVANS (7).
86 TARA GRIBBEN (5), CARLA REYNOLDS (5).
93 REBECCA GEE (3).

PROFESSIONALS
75 LAUREN DIGGLE (Wales).
80 JENNA WILSON (Scotland), MARJET VAN DER GRAAF (Netherlands).
83 KATIE THOMSON (Scotland).
85 NATASHA MORGAN (Wales).

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GALWAY PAIR HAVE BEST AMATEUR STABLEFORD
POINTS SCORE AT HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

Amateur prizewinners in the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival better-ball Stableford today were:

44pt ORLA BARRY (5) and JANE WHIRISKEY (12), both from Galway Golf Club, Ireland.

39pt RHIAN WYN THOMAS (2) from Vale of Glamorgan GC, Wales and RICKY ROACH (17), an "honorary" Festival lady, standing in at last minute when Rhian had no partner.

37pt MARGARET ROONEY (20) and MARY McAREE (20), both from Navan Golf Club, Ireland.

36pt JANE BINNING (2) and ANNIE GOWING (5), both from Frilford Heath Golf Club, Oxfordshire.

Other points totals´
34pt Marion Geoghegan (Navan) (13) and Judy McCairns (Frilford Heath) (9).
33pt Gemma Jennings (Navan) (12) and Kate Evans (Frilford Heath) (7); Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer) (18) and Kate Ogilvy (Auchterarder) (16).
28pt Eveleen Higgins (Laytown/Bettystown) (13) and Azmina Desmond (Hollywood Lakes) (11).


OPEN CLASS

43pt ROBERT NEIL (4) and NIGEL GOUDE (5).

41pt JUAN VAL VERDE (8) and CRISTOBAL MARTINEZ (10),

41pt DANIEL SIM (10) and LUKE BAILEY (25).
+In Spain, when there is a tie, the players with the lower handicaps are placed higher.

40pt MIGUEL SANMARTIN (4) and JOSE SANMARTIN (24).

Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort Women's Festival

Irish eyes are still smiling in Spain,

Martina, Claire win better-ball

Ireland's Martina Gillen made it three wins out of three in the first
week of the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival
at the five-star resort in south-east Spain today.
The tall Dubliner warmed up for her new Ladies European Tour campaign
by winning the 36-hole Murcia Ladies Open pro title on Monday and
Tuesday, following that up with victory in the Festival Stableford on
Thursday.
Then, in her last event before flying home to Ireland, Martina teamed
up with compatriot Claire Coughlan from Cork to win the professonal
better-ball competition with a two-under-par round of 70 over the tough
Dave Thomas-designed course.
Under sunny skies, Martina and Claire birdied the long fourth, the
short 13th and the par-4 13th. They had just one bogey, at the 17th.
Martina's three victories earned her a total of 1,100 Euros.
They had a shot to spare from two rookie pros, Natasha Morgan from
South Wales and Scotland´s Jenna Wilson from Strathaven, last year's
Scottish women's amateur champion.
Natasha and Jenna birdied the long fourth, the 10th and the long 18th.
They bogeyed the short fifth and 12th in returning a better ball of one
under par 71.
Natasha, who has spent the last four years as a golf scholarship
student at Lyn University, Florida, was runner-up in all three events
of the Festival´s first week.
The Festival continues with three more competitions next week.
"We will definitely be coming back to the Hacienda del Alamo Women's
Winter Festival next year," said Martina Gillen, a former Curtis Cup
player and past Irish champion.
"The superb practice facilities have given me a chance to work out some
things and I loved the combinaton of this and some low-key competition
to start putting an edge on your game."
"Yes, I´ll be back here again," said Claire Coughlan. "There have been
quite a lot of Irish lady amateurs over for the Festival and I am
planning to make up my own little Irish party for the trip next year."

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN´S WINTER FESTIVAL
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, Murcia, Spain.
Professional better ball
Leading scores (Par 72)
70 Martina Gillen (Ire) & Claire Coughlan (Ire).
71 Natasha Morgan (Wal) & Jenna Wilson (Sco).
75 Lien Willems (Bel) & Maria Martin (Spa).
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