Coming soon ... Details of the inaugural Morocco Golf Festival

Watch this space later this week for details of the inaugural Morocco Golf Festival.
Based at Marrakech, it will offer the chance to play five top courses in the area and see the local sights.
It's an amateur golf week with competitions for senior men, senior women, men, women, Under-16 boys and girls & Under-18 boys and girls.
It will be held from October 9 to 16 and the Tournament Director will be the man who started the successful Hacienda del Alamo Women's/Girls' Festival in Spain - yes, Colin Farquharson.

OCEANICO WORLD KIDS GOLF

JULY 26th — 30th, 2010

ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

Following last year’s hugely successful competition Oceanico Group would like to invite all aspiring young golfers to take part in the Oceanico World Kids Golf Championship 2010.
The tournament will be held from the 26th — 30th July, 2010 on Oceanico’s world class golf courses in the Algarve region of Portugal.
Amendoeira Golf Resort will serve as the headquarters for the event, and with on site facilities comprising of two fantastic golf courses, an incredible clubhouse, an array of sports facilities and luxury accommodation, this event could not be more fun, well organized and relaxing for our golfing families.
The competition is open for boys and girls age 7 to 18 years old
For more information click here.

Portuguese & Spanish dates, venues for early 2010

Leading events and venues for top-rank lady and girl amateurs early in 2010 are:

JANUARY 28-30
PORTUGUESE WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Oceanico O'Connor (one of the new courses opened by Oceanico at Amendoeira on Portugal's Algarve coast, to the west of Faro, Vilamoura and Albufeira). Faro is the nearest airport.

FEBRUARY 15-20
HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WINTER FESTIVAL
Venue: Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, Murcia, Spain (Murcia is the nearest airport).
Events: Hacienda del Alamo Women's/Girls' Open over 36 holes (Monday-Tuesday).
Murcia Women's/Girls' Open over 54 holes (Thursday-Friday-Saturday)

MARCH 3-7
SPANISH WOMEN'S OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Playa de Pals, Girona (North-east Spain, near Barcelona).

BUCHANAN CASTLE GOLF CLUB
DRYMEN

Come along and join us on our

OPEN DAYS

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October
11 am until 3 pm

There will be Special Deals on the following Membership
Adult • Junior •Academy • Clubhouse

TRY OUT:
· 18 Hole Course*
· 6 Hole Academy Course*
· Driving Range
· Short game Areas
· Putting Green
·
MEET THE PROFESSIONALS:
· PGA Professional Coaching- Individual and Group Coaching
· Children’s Tuition (CLUBGOLF )
·
RELAX IN THE “NEW LOOK” CLUBHOUSE:
· Refreshments available
· See “What’s On”
· Junior’s Room with games


*Telephone 01360 660330 to book golf Telephone 01360 660307 for enquiries

St Andrews' Scores Hotel to get £200,000

refurbishment ahead of 2010 Open

NEWS RELEASE
The Best Western Scores Hotel, overlooking St Andrews' world-famous Old Course, has appointed a new general manager to oversee a £200,000 refurbishment ahead of the 150th anniversary Open Championship next year.
Eric Brown, well-known Scottish hotelier, took over the reins at the hotel in July and has wasted no time in preparing a development plan to upgrade large parts of the building, which dates back to the 1880s, before The Open returns to the Old Course next July.
Refurbishment work will include a new canopy at the front of the hotel and replacing windows in keeping with the hotel’s listed status. In addition, all bedrooms are being upgraded to provide four-star facilities and a new golf concierge service with improved golf bag storage and drying facilities will coincide with the re-launch of Chariots Bar next spring.
Brown has a wealth of experience in the hotel industry, having spent six years as managing director of St Andrews famous Rusacks Hotel from 1981-87 and 15 years working as a general manager at various hotels for Stakis and Hilton Hotels organisations.
He said: "I am delighted that the owners have responded very positively to my proposals. The changes will give the Scores a brand new feel and an opportunity to showcase our improvements to the golfing community at The Open Championship next year."
Local surveyors Hardies are working on the details for the front of the hotel, which overlooks the Royal & Ancient clubhouse and the West Sands, where Oscar-winning film ‘Chariots of Fire’ was partly shot.
Planners are also being consulted regarding ‘streetscaping’ in front of The Scores as the hotel aims to take advantage of one of the most iconic views in golf to provide ‘al fresco’ dining in conjunction with Chariots Bar.
As well as the new facilities for golfers, new Victorian-style wrought iron railings will be installed along the front of the hotel while there will be new European-style cafe facilities on the twin terraces opposite Alexander's Restaurant and Scorecards Bar.
In addition, landscaping will be carried out on the hotel’s garden, private car park and its main function suite to allow for marquee facilities and gazebos with barbeques and Brown also proposes a full review of the hotel’s menus with a focus on fresh seafood and Scottish produce.
Brown, who was general manager of the Hilton Dundee from 2000-2007, was recently based in the Highlands as managing director of The Duncraggie Collection and is relishing the chance to work in his adopted hometown again.
Brown, who has had a home in St Andrews with his wife Margaret for the last 28 years, added: "I have been involved in the hospitality business for more years than I can remember, yet it gives me a real buzz to be involved with one of the most famous and historic hotels in St Andrews.
"History seeps from the building and next year is going to be wonderful for me and all the staff in the hotel. We look forward to welcoming the best golfers in the world to St Andrews next year."
As the nearest hotel to the first tee and 18th green of the Old Course, The Scores occupies two former 19th century townhouses and commands magnificent views of St Andrews Bay and the West Sands.
The hotel has 30 en-suite bedrooms, two restaurants and three bars including Chariots, a superb 19th hole.
For further information on the Best Western Scores Hotel, go to www.scoreshotel.co.uk or www.bestwestern.co.uk

PLAY STONEHAVEN FOR A FIVER ON MAY 16

Switch over to our other golf news website - http://www.scottishgolfview.com/ - to find details of an enterprising scheme by Stonehaven Golf Club ... play a round for a fiver on its Open Day, Saturday, May 16.

DOUGLAS PARK OPEN WEEKEND

Douglas Park Golf Club (Bearsden, Glasgow) is holding an Open Weekend on Saturday and Sunday (May 9-10).
Prospective new members receive a courtesy round of golf, a PGA Professional free swing check and complimentary refreshments.
To read all about it click on the following link DOUGLAS PARK OPEN DAY

What have Alyth, Blairgowrie, Downfield, Monifieth and Scotscraig golf courses got in common?

Answer: You can play them all with a Scottish Heartlands Golfing Pass.

Switch over to http://www.scottishgolfview.com/ for all the details of this enterprising scheme which was launched at Downfield Golf Club, Dundee today.

Website for information: http://www.heartlandsgolfpass.co.uk/

New Right of Way has been found in St Andrews

Historic Scotland have announced that a Right of Way, originally used by the fishermen of St Andrews between the West Sands and the centre of the town, has been found, and that preparations to restore it are underway.
The discovery was made when ancient records were uncovered by staff at the University of St Andrews, during the Library building's refurbishment which is taking place this year.
The Right of Way was well used in the 15th and 16th centuries but fell into disuse when the harbour near the castle was built. A spokesperson for the St Andrews University Library Special Collections Unit said "We were amazed to discover that this Right of Way existed, but the documents we found conclusively prove that the fishermen used this path to bring their catch from the shore up to Market Street. Although it has not been used for several centuries, we understand from the Land Registry of Scotland that the Right of Way is still in force and can be used by the general public"
The Royal and Ancient Golf club of St Andrews, whose clubhouse straddles the path, are making plans to build a tunnel under the building to allow pedestrians to use the Right of Way.
A spokesperson from the The Ramblers Association said that they welcomed the new path and the initiative of the R&A. An announcement for the re-opening of the path is expected next year.
Further information

Credit Crunch-beating Hacienda del Alamo Golf

Resort Villa Deals in Spain from April to June

By JOHN GREEN
It's no surprise that occupancy levels at most of Spain's finest resorts are down as a result of the cut backs that we are all having to make. However there is an upside - come along and enjoy Hacienda del Alamo, a fabulous five-star golf resort in Murcia, at prices that would historically have been impossible.
You can play the fabulous Dave Thomas-designed course and relax in the consistently warmest area of Spain, the Costa Calida.
*Play golf ... practice .. and enjoy the sun.
*Stay in one of our stunning luxury villas with a shared or private pool for five nights
*Four rounds of golf at the Hacienda del Alamo championship course, or a selection of other local courses
*Price per person for four in a luxury villa
*Sharpen your golf game on the magnificent academy facilities
Price includes:
*Luxury accommodation - go to the rentals section and view the villas - pick the one you like and see if it's available
*Four rounds of golf per person at Hacienda Del Alamo (other courses can be arranged - please call)
*Includes free group lesson at the fantastic Billington putting school located at the Hacienda Del Alamo Academy.

Price from only £289.00/€319.00 per person April to June

Please call for a quote, low or high season.

Contact for information:

John Green: +34 618 086 285 or UK +44 7836 38 5310

Skype: Hacienda Golf Properties

Email: info@hdagolfproperties.com

Website: http://www.hdagolfproperties.com/

Your chance to rent a villa for a week's golf in Murcia, Spain

Top picture shows the 18th hole at the five-star La Torre Golf Resort. Immediately above: An early morning cut for the 16th green on one of several Jack Nicklaus-designed courses in the area.

Editor's note: Rob Humphries is one of the fathers who supported the Under-16 girls' section of the recent 2nd Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival in Spain. With Rob's permission, I am publishing in full his follow-up note because it contains an excellent offer for any Kirkwoodgolf reader who wants to go on a golfing holiday to the Murcia region of Spain.

Cut-price offer from

HDA Festival

father Rob for his

villa at La Torre

Colin,
Hope you are well and resting after all that organising for the HDA Festival for Women. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip over to Spain to enter the tournament, it was fantastic experience for her. Unfortunately not enough, in my opinion, is done for junior girl golfers so full credit to your efforts and organisation. It was great to play among some superb golfers and the weather helped.
I enjoyed it so much I would like to try and help female/junior girl golfers as best I can.

As you know we were based in our own villa during the Festival at the nearby Jack Nicklaus La Torre Golf Resort.

We have managed to negotiate a special discount of 20% off normal pricing for all of our readers/visitors to Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk for the rental of this beautiful detached villa (pictured above).

The Jack Nicklaus Golf resort is located in Murcia, an area of Spain which enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year. The detached villa is located on La Torre golf course and is within 15 mins of many other top courses in an area which is fast becoming the home of golf in Europe.
Renters will benefit from discounted resident golf fees at the following courses, El Valle and Hacienda Requilme (both recently held European Tour Hi5ProTour events), La Torre and Mar Menor Golf Resort. Other nearby courses include Roda (home of PGA Europe), Peraleja (the new Seve Ballesteros course), Lo Romero and Mosa Trajectrum. While La Manga and Hacienda del Alamo (home of the HDA Women's Winter Festival of Golf) are just short 25 minutes drive away.
The superb resort is situated just 15 minutes from San Javier’s Murcia airport, or 50 mins from Alicante, so golf in the sun is nearer than you think.
The facilities at the La Torre resort include five different restaurants and three bars, along with a fully stocked supermarket if you fancy a quiet night in. If you’re not playing golf every day, there are 15 communal pools to cool off in, and tennis courts to perfect that serve. It also has a large golf practice area and putting green if your game needs working on!
The villa has two large bedrooms (twin or doubles), so therefore can easily sleep a group of four golfers, and two sets of golf clubs are available at the property to use free of charge.
This exclusive offer for golfers from Kirkwood golf, mean that prices start from as little as £200 per week (£50 per person based on a four-ball) so if you want to play some golf in beautiful sunshine throughout the year, don’t delay book now, please email villainthesun94@aol.com for availability, prices and any further information.

I would like to offer 20% discount to any female golfer who would be interested in renting my two bed-roomed villa (pictured above) on already extremely competitive prices, around £495 (£400, including discount) per week at peak time.

Therefore, if four shared, it would cost around £125 per person per week or approximately £100 each with discount.

It is an ideal base to play golf in the sunshine (26 degrees this weekend!).

They would also benefit from residents' green fees on four of the courses.
I would really like to try and assist lady and girl golfers. Wish I could do more in the UK.
Rob Humphries

+++If you are attracted by Rob's offer, please E-mail him direct at villainthesun94@aol.com

One of the new bunkers - this one at the 17th hole - being created at the East Berkshire course.

Course designer Howard Swan brings

East Berkshire into 21st Century

PRESS RELEASE
Swan Golf Designs’ dramatic transformation of East Berkshire Golf Club is under way in what promises to be a natural and distinctive rejuvenation of the course.
Howard Swan’s plans will bring the course into the 21st century, making its lay-out more suited to the modern game while retaining the character and intent of the original architect’s design.
The broad aim of the renovation process is to reinvigorate the playing strategy of the course, shape each bunker in proportion with its context, enhance the visual presentation of each hole and enable and encourage the fragile ecology of the remnant heathland areas of the course to thrive and spread.
The plans will see most of the existing bunkers refurbished, with those remaining returned to grass as their positions are no longer strategically relevant. A total of 33 new bunkers will be created. Tree-lined fairways with welcoming approaches to the greens will see the new bunkering placing a premium on accuracy and giving great variety of shot making.
The golf course features gentle undulation; golf holes framed by woodland, with pockets of heather across the landscape. The renovation of the 17th hole has seen the introduction of heather to the new bunkering and in line with the Club’s commitment to its restoration, increasing the area of this habitat to frame the fairway and to link with the woodland/scrub margins.
Swan presented his blueprint for a revised course renovation to a room filled with almost 200 club members, setting out his vision for the future evolution of the fine old course.
His detailed report and presentation have been followed up by the initial enhancements, already tangible, during the first stage of the creative renovation process.
Colin Day, Club Secretary, said: “Howard’s presentation consolidated my Board’s impression of his professional architectural qualities, sensitive to our wishes for and the needs of the course’s future. We are now embarking on a five-year programme to modernise our bunkers and our tees and to enhance the landscape and the environment of the holes, and the impact of the sheer quality of this first stage, has convinced our members, some doubters amongst them, that we are heading along the right lines.”
Day, delighted with the progress, went on to say: “My Board took the decision, albeit in the midst of a recession, to spend and upgrade our greatest asset, knowing that at some stage we will come through the recession and it might be the survival of the fittest, who can illustrate they have an exceptional course, that actually survive.
“I would have no hesitation in recommending Howard Swan’s services to any golf club that wished to upgrade their course.”
Work began on the renovation in early January 2009, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed within a two-month period.

Hacienda del Alamo

Golf Resort hotel

will open in

September

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Pictured is a model of the five-star hotel which is under construction behind the clubhouse at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort in Murcia, Spain.
And, below, is a picture taken of the work in progress during the 2nd Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.
The hotel, which will have spa and gymnasium facilities, is scheduled to open this September and should give future Festival competitors an option between renting villa accommodation or booking into the hotel which is styled on the San Roque Suites Hotel (where the Ryder Cup teams stayed for the match at Valderrama) on the Costa del Sol.

Let us know the February 2010 school holiday dates so that we can tell

you when next year's Hacienda del Alamo Festival will be held!

The 2nd Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival finished only last Tuesday but already we are receiving inquiries about the dates for the 3rd Festival in 2010.

We are determined to get the dates "right" for next year so that they synchronise with the mid-term school holiday dates in Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales if at all possible because we believe that if we can do that there will be a surge in entries for the Under-16 girls' events which were successfully introduced to this year's programme.

So, we would be grateful if and when you learn the dates of the February 2010 school break in your country, you could E-mail them to Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Feedback from the competitors at the inaugural 2008 Festival helped to shape the changes for this year and we are looking for more of the same so that we can please more competitors in 2010.

Here are some of the suggestions we have taken on board for consideration for the 2010 Festival. If you have any to add, please E-mail them to the address above.

1 Make the second 36-hole event a three-rounder, Monday to Wednesday.

2 Add a couple of events, played over the six-hole Academy course, for children aged 10 years or under.

3 Raise the maximum ladies/girls' handicap for Festival entrants to 28 or 30.

4 Change the Costa Calida Foursomes format to a better-ball pairs event with the entry fee of 55 Euros covering the two players' participation.

5 Include Under-18 years competitors - and possibly seniors (over-50) within the lower 25 Euros entry fee structure for Under-16s.

6 Introduce a Festival competitors only prize section in the Saturday Scramble to avoid a repeat of the "locals" - villa owners - winning everything, as they did this year!

Please note that these are only suggestions that will be considered by the organising committee and should not be taken as changes which will be definitely implemented for the 2010 Festival.

Jonathan Shelbourne (left) and Andrew Shinie greet LGU Head of Golf Operations Susan Simpson at Inchmarlo Golf Centre, Banchory.

LGU Head of Golf Operations

runs the rule over Inchmarlo

with an eye to the future

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Carnoustie-born Susan Simpson, the Ladies Golf Union's Head of Golf Operations based at its St Andrews headquarters, was a welcome visitor at Inchmarlo Golf Centre near Banchory, Aberdeenshire late in the 2008 season.

Susan is pictured above with former helicopter pilot Jonathan Shelbourne (left), founder and owner of the popular Centre which has a driving range with 30 covered bays, two courses (18 hole & nine-hole), TWO clubhouses, one of which is reserved for members, and an excellent restaurant which caters for non-golfing visitors, and club secretary and events manager Andrew Shinie (right).

Inchmarlo staged a very successful Scottish women's county championship finals in 2008, providing not only a golf course but also onsite villa accommodation for the teams, an extra dimension which few clubs or golf centres can offer. The Paul Lawrie Scottish schools championships were also hosted by Inchmarlo last summer.

So Susan Simpson, who had never been to the Inchmarlo centre before, came to the North-east to see for herself what it had to offer ... and she went away impressed. Don't be surprised if Inchmarlo is invited to stage an event under the auspices of the Ladies Golf Union in the not-too-distant future.

"It's most encouraging when one of the Ladies Golf Union's top officials pays you a visit," said Andrew. "It will also give us the incentive to tighten up one or two holes on The Laird's Course so that it really can be a test for the best off the back tees."

Head greenkeeper at Inchmarlo Golf Centre is Janice Florence (pictured above) who learned her trade at Royal Aberdeen among other places. Is Janice the only female head greenkeeper in Scotland, maybe England as well?

We don't know of another but if you do, be sure to E-mail Colin@scottishgolfview.com
If you want to read more about what Inchmarlo Golf Centre has to offer, log on to its website

http://www.inchmarlo.com/

Hacienda del Alamo Free golf

offer to Ladies Eurpean Tour

Q School competitors

Billy Sim, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort's Scottish-born Director of Golf, has come up with an excellent offer to all players attending the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School at La Manga in January.

La Manga Golf Resort is not all that far away from Hacienda del Alamo.

Billy says:
"I am prepared to offer a FREE round of golf at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort to any LET Qualifying School player and if they come with parents or partners I will offer them a round for 40 Euros, including buggy, or 20 Euros for golf only per player.
"Also if any player wishes to practise at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, I would give them free range balls on a specially set-up area for them."
It goes without saying that the LET Qualifying School players and their parents, partners, etc would be made very welcome in Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort's splendid clubhouse.

You can E-mail Billy direct at billysim@hdagolf.com or phone him at 0034 6902 95650

TURNBERRY HOTEL CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT

Turnberry Hotel, under new ownership, closes today for a £30million refurbishment.
Next year's Open will be played at the south Ayrshire links.
See the full story on www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

Picture postcard beauty at the 10th hole of Golf Son Gual.

Golf Son Gual, Mallorca’s “New No. 1”

celebrates successful six months

Golf Son Gual – the most prestigious golf address on the sunshine island of Mallorca – has enjoyed a very successful first six months of operation and been inundated with membership enquiries.
Laid out across beautiful Mallorcan terrain, just outside the capital of Palma, Golf Son Gual first-opened its doors for play in October 2007, and since then an ever-increasing number of discerning locals and holidaymakers have been drawn to play golf there. Based largely on word-of-mouth recommendations Golf Son Gual has already established itself as the place to play golf on the island.
With a stunning 18-hole design – including one of the finest collection of par threes to be found in Europe and an outstanding closing hole – 15-minute breaks between tee-times and conditioning that belies the course’s tender years, it is no surprise that celebrities, international sporting stars and the golfing cognoscenti are keen to make a round at Golf Son Gual a more permanent fixture.
Details of the eagerly-awaited membership packages will not be released until later in the year and are likely to be limited to fewer than 500 in total.
Andreas Pamer, of the family Pamer management team, said: “All of the hard work, patience and attention to detail is bearing fruit. We were careful not to open the course too soon and to give all visitors the ultimate golfing experience, not just on the course but through the extensive practice facilities, spacious sun terraces and impressive cuisine we offer.
“Everybody has enjoyed the Son Gual experience and the substantial number of membership enquiries we are receiving is testament to that.”
For more information, email info@son-gual.com or visit http://www.son-gual.com/

LISBON GOLF COAST MATCH-PLAY
CHALLENGE IN OCTOBER

The Lisboa Tourist Board, Team Frith and Tee Times Golf Agency UK have joined forces creating an exciting new event for amateur golfers across Europe.
The inaugural Lisboa Golf Coast Matchplay Challenge will follow in the footsteps of events like the Lisbon Golf Coast Festival aiming to bring golfers from all over Europe to this wonderful destination of golf.
The inaugural event will take place shortly after the 2008 Ryder Cup, from the 6th to 11th October, with teams from UK and Ireland taking on teams from the rest of Europe.
The Ryder Cup is the most dramatic and exciting contest in the world and like the Ryder Cup the format of this competition will be matchplay giving all players a chance to step in the shoes of Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods.
During the week players will compete on the magnificent championship courses of Aroeira I and II, Ribagolfe and Quinta do Peru. They will play in pairs for the first three days with Fourball and Foursome competitions. The final and decisive day will see all players compete in a singles competition.
The event is supported by Tivoli Hotels with players staying at their luxury Tivoli Tejo hotel, located by the bustling Parque das Nações area and with stunning views out over the river.
For more information contact Team Frith on +44 (0) 870 850 3436 or email http://system.newzapp.co.uk/GLink.asp?LID=MTA1NjQwNSw0NDI4MDk3MA==

Packages Available
Packages are available from just £745 per person (£2980 for a team of four).
Packages include flights, transfers, accommodation, four rounds of golf, welcome dinner and gala dinner. Players also receive half way snacks each day as well as a lunch after the golf.
Flights are only available from UK but reductions are available for those making their own flight arrangements from other destinations.

Entry
Entry into this event is limited so in order to book players should contact Team Frith as soon as possible on +44 (0) 870 850 3436 or email
http://system.newzapp.co.uk/GLink.asp?LID=MTA1NjQwNiw0NDI4MDk3MA==


The Programme
Mon 6th Oct
Arrival in Lisbon.
Transfer to hotel.
Welcome party.
Tues 7th Oct
Breakfast.
Transfer to Aroeira II.
Round 1 Four-balls
Lunch.
Transfer back to hotel.
Wed 8th Oct
Breakfast.
Transfer to Ribagolfe I.
Round 2 Greensomes.
Lunch.
Transfer back to hotel.
Thurs 9th Oct
Breakfast
Transfer Quinta do Peru
Round 3 Four-balls.
Lunch
Transfer back to hotel.
Fri 10th Oct
Breakfast
Transfer Aroeira I.
Round 4 Singles.
Lunch.
Transfer back to hotel
Gala Dinner
Sat 11th Oct
Transfer to airport for flight home

GLENMUIR RIGHT BEHIND THE FESTIVAL GIRLS AT HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

One of the main reasons why the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival was such a success with the competitors was the support of Glenmuir, the Lanark-based company with the international reputation.

"It would have been very difficult to get this new enterprise off the ground without the backing of a big-name sponsor such as Glenmuir. Their generosity in donating a range of their products as prizes for both weeks' competitions lifted the Festival off the launching pad," said Colin Farquharson, the Festival Controller.

"It is true to say that without the co-operation of my friend Billy Sim, the Director of Golf at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, my dream of the past 10 to 15 years or putting on a warm-weather winter programme that offered players, pros and amateurs alike, the chance to practise to their heart's content and also have the opportunity of some low-key competition, all at the same venue, would have remained a dream.

"But it is also true that without prize sponsors such as Glenmuir and Stewart Spence, the proprietor of The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, Aberdeen, the inaugural Festival would not have been even half as big a hit with the competitors as it was.

"There will be a 2nd Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival, almost certainly in February, 2009 but Billy Sim and I will take on board suggestions by competitors as to how we might improve the package for next year and, at the same time, put our own observations into the melting pot."

Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort communications director Chris Mann, commercial director Rafael Ruiz, Suzanne Coyne, present of "Golf Ireland" TV show, and Aisling Brewe, agents manager of the resort. Click on the image to enlarge it.

.
Hacienda del Alamo wins International Golf Resort
of 2007 award

Hacienda del Alamo won the "International Golf Resort of the Year 2007" title in the prestigious "Golf Ireland Awards".
The spectacular new resort in Murcia, Spain beat off hot competition from around the world to win the top award at a ceremony in Dublin at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Hacienda del Alamo's Commercial Director Rafael Ruiz was there to accept the award from Suzanne Coyne, presenter of "Golf Ireland," the programme of television channel TV3.
She commented: "Hacienda del Alamo is a very worthy winner of this award. We were very impressed by the progress made at the development, in the provision of its services to visitors and owners, its restaurants and bars. But of course the quality of the golf course and golf facilities is our most important category and in this Hacienda shone.

"The fabulous course is in outstanding condition all year round and is a credit to its designer Dave Thomas as well as to the team who maintain it. It already had a first-class academy and practice course but the recent addition of the new clubhouse has moved the golf operation to a new level.
"Our judging team also took into account the marketing and sales operations at Hacienda del Alamo which are second to none, which is why they are continuing to buck the trend and be hugely successful. This is a fantastic project not just for the future, but for today."
Rafael Ruiz, Commercial Director of Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, commented: "We would like to thank the viewers of Golf Ireland and the judges for this superb honour which means a great deal to us.

"Hacienda del Alamo is a young project which is developing at a fast pace and it is very satisfying to be recognised already as the best by such a prestigious programme."
For Hacienda del Alamo's Agents Manager Aisling Brew, who was also at the ceremony, it was an emotional homecoming. Irish by birth, she has lived in Spain for the past 14 years. She said: "Being Irish, I am especially proud to return home to receive such an honour. We already have many owners of properties at Hacienda who are from Ireland as well as many more who come to play the course so it is especially significant to receive this award from Ireland's main golfing television programme.

"I hope it will encourage many other of my countrymen and women to come and see the resort for themselves."
The ceremony is broadcast on Ireland's TV3 channel on Sunday morning at 10.30 am and then again on Wednesday evening. The show enjoys an audience of 760,000 in its last series and is the only golf on national terrestrial television and the only free golf at all on Irish screens.
The award itself is a special piece of Waterford Crystal which is a replica of that given recently as a gift by the Irish government to US President George W Bush.
About Hacienda del Alamo:
Situated in the beautiful Murcia countryside and close to stunning beaches, Hacienda del Alamo already boasts one championship golf course, a golf academy including a driving range and six-hole practice course, and others are planned.
The resort which will have 3,500 homes when completed is built around the 7,400 yard championship golf course, designed by the renowned course designer Dave Thomas, whose portfolio includes the Brabazon at The Belfry and also La Manga.
There are those, like the Voice of Golf, Peter Alliss himself, and European PGA Tour pro Miguel Angel Jiménez who believe the golf course is one of the best in Europe. It is built on 92 hectares which is almost twice as large as the average golf course.

WHAT WILL IT COST TO RENT A VILLA
FOR HACIENDA DEL ALAMO FESTIVAL?

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Tournament Controller, Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival

The most common question I am asked by lady golfers who are interested in signing up for the Festival in February is: How much will it cost me?
It's a question I cannot answer fully because, to begin with, it depends on which airline and from which airport you are flying to and from Murcia Airport in Spain.
I can help would-be competitors find out how much the accommodation will cost.
It stands to reason that the more people who are sharing a villa, the cheaper it

works out per head.

I have copied the following over from the http://www.clubmurcia.com/ website:

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HACIENDA DEL ALAMO GOLF RESORT VILLAS TO RENT

1 Bed, 1 Bath Villa: from 35 Euros per day (less than 18 Euros per person, per day for two adults).
2 Beds, 2 Baths Villa: from 50 Euros per day (less than 13 Euros per person, per day for four adults).
3 Beds, 3 Baths Villa: from 65 Euros per day (less than 11 Euros per person, per day for six adults).
4 Beds, 4 Baths Villa: from 100 Euros per day (less than 13 Euros per person, per day for eight adults).

*We provide (Murcia) Airport pick-ups, Welcome Food Packs and a range of Hotel Facilities direct to your private villa.
*All our villas are furnished to the highest standards and include Cable TV and air-conditioning.
*Most of our villas are frontline to the golf course and most have their own private pool.

Simply fill in the booking inquiry form available on the following website by cutting and pasting the following:

http://www.clubmurcia.com/Murcia_Golf_Accommodation/Hacienda_del_Alamo/HDA_Accommodation_Form.php

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SOME FESTIVAL POINTERS
The Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival lasts from February 10 to 23. There are six competitions open to Lady Professionals and Lady/girl amateurs with a maximum handicap of 20 (if one or two members of a group would be ruled out by having a handicap of more than 20, we would give them special dispensation).
There will be separate prize lists for the professionals and the amateurs so there is no possibility that the professionals will win all the prizes.
Competitors will get the best value if they go for two weeks but they can go for either the first or the second week or they can even straddle both weeks if they can get cheaper flights that way, i.e. fly out to Murcia on the first Wednesday (February 13) and fly home on the second Wednesday (February 20).
You do not have to play in every competition.

There is no deadline for entries although obviously it helps with our administration and forward planning the sooner you tell us you are going/coming.

Any more queries? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com

February 10 to 23 at Murcia in sunny southern Spain

ALL SILVER DIVISION PLAYERS CAN NOW ENTER THE HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WINTER FESTIVAL

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Tournament Controller
Good news for all those Silver Division players who want to enter the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival at the five-star resort in Murcia from February 10 to 23.
We have decided to raise the maximum handicap figure from nine to 20 so that more ladies can go to southern Spain and enjoy the Festival atmosphere.
Hopefully, this will encourage groups within clubs or counties to get together and make it a mid-winter golf holiday.
The villa accommodation at Hacienda del Alamo becomes much cheaper if more than three or four persons are sharing the cost.
Remember also, budget flights to Murcia in mid-February are fast filling up - and the prices are rising.
Click on HDA WOMEN'S FESTIVAL in the left hand column of your screen to get the full details.
Entries should be E-mailed to the Tournament Controller, Colin Farquharson, at colin@scottishgolfview.com without delay.
Tell your friends: There is now a Silver Lining to the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.

GLENMUIR IS SUPPORTING HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL

Do you know anyone who is a good enough player to enter? Tell them about the February 10-23, six-competition programme at the five-star Murcia golf resort with excellent practice facilities in sunny southern Spain.

Open to Lady professionals and amateurs with a handicap of nine or under.

E-mail Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at colin@scottishgolfview.com if you want to know more.

Jane Turner at the 17th (Road Hole) at the Old Course in this year's St Rule Trophy (Cal Carson Golf Agency image).

JANE TURNER joins the bright, young
prospects in the field for the
HACIENDA del ALAMO WOMEN'S
WINTER FESTIVAL in SPAIN

Mortonhall’s bright young prospect Jane Turner is the latest addition to the growing, quality field for the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Winter Festival at the five-star Murcia resort on Spain’s Costa Calida from February 10 to 23.
Introduced to the game by her father as a 10-year-old, Jane is now coached by SLGA national coach Kevin Craggs.
Jane, who had her 18th birthday in September, has had a super 2007 season. Some of the highlights have been:
+Member of Scotland team who retained the girls’ home internationals’ title at Southerndown.
+Member of Scotland schoolgirls’ team against English schoolgirls and had a hole in one in the morning foursomes at Westerwood.
+Named by SLGA in National B Squad for 2007-2008 training.
+Member of Midlothian team who won the Scottish women’s county team championship at Tulliallan.
+Winner of inaugural Scottish girls’ champion of champions’ title at Kingsbarns.
+Winner of East of Scotland women’s championship at The Glen.
+Winner of East of Scotland girls’ title for past three years.
+Winner of Midlothian girls’ championship in 2006 and 2007.
+Close third in SLGA champion of champions’ tournament at Glasgow Gailes.

Who can enter the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter 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 include prizes for girls and seniors.

No competition entry fees to be paid until you check in with Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at the Tournament Desk at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.

Entries so far:

PROFESSIONALS
Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).

AMATEURS
Orla BARRY (Galway, Ireland) handicap 5.
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.
Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
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. Age 20.
Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1. Age 19.
Jane TURNER (Mortonhall). Age 18.

To be confirmed:
Rachael LIVINGSTONE (Musselburgh Old) scratch. Age 19.

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 20 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.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Budget airline flight charges go up as time passes. They seldom come down.

Accommodation at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort is not unlimited. It is cheaper to share a villa so try to organise something with your golfing friends.

Information about how to book accommodation is available by clicking on the words HDA WOMEN'S FESTIVAL near the top of the left hand column of your screen.

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.

PRESS RELEASE

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO'S
SPECTACULAR
NEW CLUBHOUSE IS NOW OPEN

A spectacular new clubhouse is now open at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, hailed as “Spain´s New Number One”.
This unique construction overlooks the golf course and also has stunning views all the way to the Mar Menor and to the mountains of Murcia.
It is one of the most important buildings in the development of the resort and has already won a great deal of praise for its beautiful looks and remarkable setting.
Several years in the planning and two years in the building, its 2,000 square metres state of the art design features dramatic use of light and space
As well as being an operational golf clubhouse, restaurant, bar and shop, it is also an breathtakingly daring architectural marvel.
There is a large entrance reception area which is permanently manned. The office of the Director of Golf Billy Sim is behind this. The main entrance leads to the large Golf Shop where there is a golf check-in desk as well as the sales point for golf equipment and clothing.
Close to here there is also a TV lounge with Internet connection, a cards and games room and the billiards room.
The Spikes Bar and the restaurant are the main focus of this floor and they can be separated by a dividing wall or connected together to seat 250 people.The two spacious terraces have spectacular views over the course.
One floor above, a second “top” terrace allows views as far as the Mar Menor.
The restaurant will have what is described as “Show Cooking” so diners can watch the preparation of their food. It is also planned to have a running buffet during the daytime with normal snacks/ tapas available from the Spikes Bar.
The kitchen area in this respect also has all the latest modern equipment you would expect for us to provide a first class food and beverage service to all.The top level VIP lounge is restricted to Property Owners with Golf Shares and their guests and can also be used for private functions if requested. This area is also decorated to a high standard with original working fire place, large screen TV and library.
Back down on the entrance level, the locker rooms, toilets and shower areas are finished to a high standard with a sauna room in both male and female areas. There’s also a treatment area for massage and physiotherapy.
The lower floor is where all the golf operation offices are situated including golf supervisors office, accounts, caddie masters / course marshals, club storage, buggy parking for owners, rental buggies and trollies.
“This is a really beautiful design that really blends with the local environment and it is easy to see why the club house has won praise for its architecture even before it was finished” commented Director of Golf Billy Sim.
“Now we invite you all to come and see for yourself just how special it is.”
Situated in the beautiful Murcia countryside and close to stunning beaches, Hacienda del Alamo already boasts one championship golf course, a golf academy including a driving range and six-hole practice course, and others are planned.
The resort of 3,500 homes is built around the 7,400 yard championship golf course, designed by the renowned course designer Dave Thomas, whose portfolio includes the Brabazon at the De Vere Belfry and also La Manga.
There are those, like the Voice of Golf Peter Alliss himself and European Tour Pro Miguel Angel Jiménez who believe the golf course is one of the best in Europe. It is built on 92 hectares which is almost twice as large as the average golf course.
Chris Mann
Director of Communications
chris@hdagolf.com

February 10 to 23 at Murcia, Southern Spain

Belgian professional Lien will tune

up for 2008 season at Hacienda

del Alamo Festival .. why don't you?

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Tournament Controller, Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival, Murcia, Spain

One of the most talented girl amateurs on the Continent of recent years has put her name down for the Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Winter Golf Festival at the five-star resort in the Murcia Region of southern Spain.
She is Lien Willems, pictured right, from Belgium, now a professional but not the possessor of full playing rights for the Ladies European Tour.
“Having turned pro in June this year, I came through the LET Pre-Qualifying at Le Fonti Golf Club in Italy in 19th position at three-under-par but missed the cut in the Final Qualifying tournament,” said Lien.
“For the 2008 season, I will play on the Telia Tour (in Sweden) and also try to get some invitations for LET events. The Hacienda del Alamo Festival seems to be a good preparation for the 2008 season.”
Lien has put her finger right on the button, the reason why Billy Sim, the Hacienda del Alamo director of golf, and I have put together this abbreviated version of what we hope will eventually lead to a Murcia Ladies Open Tour in January-February 2009.
Six competitions and unlimited practice over two consecutive weeks in what is almost guaranteed to be better, milder, even warmer Murcia weather than will be the case in the Britain, Ireland and the more northerly Continental countries should enable players to tune up for the new season, whether they be amateurs or professionals.
Lien Willems has been a Belgian national team member since 2000 when she was only 13. She played her first world championship in Malaysia in 2002, followed by Puerto Rico in 2004 and South Africa in 2006.
“In between, I played for the national Belgian team in about every European team championship and a lot of international amateur competitions. I won the Belgian International Juniors’ girls title in 2006 and had some top-10 finishes in the European Young Masters, the Dutch International Juniors, the Italian Ladies and so on,” says Lien who has her own website http://www.lienwillems.com/

The Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival entry list so far:

PROFESSIONALS
Lauren Dibble (Celtic Manor)
Lien Willems (Belgium)
AMATEURS
Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) (+1)
Lauren MacCallum (McDonald Ellon) (7).
Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) (+1)
*Rachael Livingstone (Musselburgh Old) (scr)
*Mandy Easton (Dalmahoy) (5).
*Cara Easton (Dalmahoy) (8)
*To be confirmed

INQUIRIES FROM FAR AND NEAR
I’ve had inquiries from Sweden, Russia, United States, Scotland, England and Ireland but converting inquiries into confirmed entries looks like being a long, drawn-out process.
Golfers are traditionalists at heart. “Something new” takes a while to be accepted. A new concept of “Competition and Practice” – which sums up the Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Winter Festival – at a time of the year when most golfers in Britain have had their clubs in hibernation for a month or two takes a while to sink in.
Meanwhile the budget airline flight prices will be rising.
Let me just clarify some points:
1 Although I would like you to come to Hacienda del Alamo for both weeks, you don’t have to. You can come the first week or you can come the second week.
2 You can arrive when you like and leave when you like. If you can get cheaper flights flying out to Murcia on a Tuesday/Wednesday and flying home the following Wednesday/Thursday, then go for it.
3 You can be accompanied by your husband, partner of boyfriend, although they will not be able to take part in the competitions except as caddies.
4 You don’t have to stay at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort but you would certainly have to hire a car if you didn’t. The taxi fare from Murcia Airport to Hacienda del Alamo is not an arm and a leg job but Alicante Airport to Hacienda del Alamo by taxi is quite expensive.
5 You don’t have to play in every competition whether you are staying for one week or two.
6 Getting two, three or even four golfing friends to share a villa, brings the individual cost down considerably.
7 There is no minimum or maximum age limit. For amateurs, a single-figure handicap is the key of the door.
8 There is no deadline for entries but given the hours of daylight in mid-February, Billy Sim and I reckon we are looking at a capacity field of little more than 60 for each event, starting in threes at 10min intervals.
It’s first come, first served. If you notify the Tournament Controller (that’s me) that you want to enter, then your place in the Festival is guaranteed at the moment but that might not be the case if the word gets round and there’s a rush of entries.
My good friend Lisa D Mickey of the Duramed Futures Tour put details of the Festival up on the players’ noticeboard at this past week’s qualifying tournament at Lakeland, Florida.
That could lead to a few transatlantic entries over the next week when all the players get back to base.
All you have to do is E-mail your entry this weekend to colin@scottishgolfview.com
+++Details of how to book accommodation are available by clicking on the words HDA Women's Festival in the left-hand column of this screen. info@resortmanagementhda.com has been added to the list of E-mail addresses for inquiries about HDA accommodation.

====================LUXURY VILLA OVERLOOKING 12th HOLE ========

Angela Howells has a four-bed, four-bath luxury villa at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort overlooking the par-3 12th hole. Full details can be found on www.luxury-golf-villa.com

She is willing to rent it out to competitors in the Festival for one week or two at 1,000 Euros (£670) per week. It is still available at the moment.
Looks a reasonable deal for four (maybe more) sharing.
You can E-mail Angela at angie_howells@yahoo.com or telephone her at 07967 147761 or 07787 511867. She will be happy to answer any questions.

MICHELE THOMSON ENTERS

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

FESTIVAL IN FEBRUARY

Scotland international player Michele Thomson (McDonald Ellon) is the latest entry for the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival from February 10 to 23 at the five-star golf resort in Murcia in southern Spain.
A member of the LGU winter training squad and a candidate for a place in the GB&I team for next year's Curtis Cup match over the Old Course, Michele is looking forward to combining a little bit of competition - of which there is not much around in Britain or the Continent in mid-February - with sharpening up her game on the excellent practice facilities at Hacienda del Alamo.
Scotland team-mate Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), who teamed up with Michele to represent Scotland in the recent "The Spirit" tournament in Texas, has also entered.
So too has another McDonald Ellon Golf Club member, teenager Lauren MacCallum who is a pupil at the Loretto Golf Academy.
The only professional entry so far has come from Lauren Dibble, the long-hitting Celtic Manor player.
Remember to E-mail your entry to Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at colin@scottishgolfview.com
Click on the Hacienda del Alamo Winter Golf Festival words in the first column of this page to get the details of how to book accommodation.
Don't delay too long or you might find that the cost of the flights has gone up while you have been thinking about it.

CALLING ALL GOOD PLAYERS! ENTER TODAY
FOR THE HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S
WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL IN SPAIN

Do you know anybody who is a good enough player to enter the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival?
A Lady professional perhaps? A Lady amateur with a handicap of nine or under.
If you do, ask them if they have heard of this six-competition fortnight of golf and fun in the sun at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort with five-star practice facilities and a five-star programme of competitions between February 10 and 23.
If anyone wants details, click on the icon in the left hand column or send an E-mail right away to colin@scottishgolfview.com
Hurry! Hurry! The Budget airline charges could be going up as you read this.
By the way, if YOU don't happen to be a "good enough player," you can still come along and be a caddie or a supporter or just a holidaymaker.

Five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort in Spain

VENUE FOR THE HACIENDA DEL ALAMO

WOMEN'S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL

Six competitions between February 11 and

23.

Open to Lady professionals and Lady amateurs

with a handicap of nine or less

E-MAIL YOUR ENTRY TO colin@scottishgolfview.com OR ASK FOR MORE DETAILS

+You'll never guess the identity of the figure standing on the green at HDA. Give up? It's Miguel Angel Jimenez who represents Hacienda Del Alamo on the European Tour. You never know, he might look in on the Festival in February!

Competitors will be getting a bargain detal

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER FESTIVAL
Murcia, Spain. February 10 to 23.

Facts and figures:

*Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort's Dave Thomas-designed course has a visitor's green fee price of 80 Euros.
*Competitors in the Women's Winter Festival will play two free practice rounds over it (February 10 and 17) and also eight competitive rounds over the two-week span. That makes 10 rounds, which would normally cost a total of 800 Euros.
*Instead, if professionals play in all six Festival competitions it will cost them 390 Euros and amateurs playing in all six competitions will pay 304 Euros in entry fees. That's quite a bargain.
*The five-star Hacienda Del Alamo Golf Resort has 36 bays at a two-tier driving range, a short Academy course of six holes (some par-3, some par-4).
+There is also a bunker practice area, a huge putting practice green and a green for practising your short game.
+Competitors in the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival, for a one-off charge of 55 Euros (that's roughly £40) at the Tournament Desk on Sunday, February 10, will be able to have an unlimited supply of balls to use on the driving range and all the practice areas for the duration of the Festival.

DON'T DELAY.
ENTER NOW.
BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS AND HACIENDA DEL ALAMO ACCOMMODATION.
CAPACITY FIELD BETWEEN 70 AND 80.
AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT BY NOT LEAVING IT TOO LATE.

Colin Farquharson
Tournament Controller.
(If you are entering, you must E-mail colin@scottishgolfview.com)

Billy Sim
HDA Director of Golf

Gillian Kirkwood
Tournament Referee.

LADIES ENGLISH OPEN VENUE MOVES
FROM KENT TO OXFORDSHIRE

The popular Ladies English Open will be held at The Oxfordshire Golf Club, on July 4-6 next year, following a move from its previous home at Chart Hills in Kent.
Both courses are owned by the Leaderboard Group and after three years at the Kent venue it was decided to move to a more central location.
A Leaderboard spokesman explained: “The Ladies English Open is contracted to the Leaderboard Group – and while Chart Hills has proved a superb venue we felt it would be beneficial if The Oxfordshire was once again host to a professional tour event, designed as it was to host such tournaments.
“Its central location, just more than a mile from the M40, potentially allows for more spectators, while the design of the course makes it very spectator-friendly.
“Having proved its popularity in the south-east, we felt it was right to allow golf fans in other regions to enjoy top-quality ladies golf. It will also provide a different test for the pros and subsequently offer something different for spectators.”
The Ladies English Open has traditionally attracted the cream of European golf – indeed eight of this year’s Solheim Cup team have played in the event in the last couple of years, with both Becky Brewerton and Maria Hjorth recording victories.

BEST WAY FOR SCOTS TO GET TO

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO, EASY JET

FROM GLASGOW OPTION

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Scottish lady golfers - not to mention their husbands, partners or boyfriends - who want to attend the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival (six competitions between February 10 and 23) - need not necessarily travel from Prestwick and the Ryanair schedule.
Remember, we discovered there is no Ryanair flight from Prestwick to Murcia on Saturday, February 9, which is the day you want to arrive if you want to take full advance of a free practice round over the Hacienda del Alamo course on Sunday, February 10.
I suggested that the option was to fly Ryanair from Prestwick to Murcia on Friday, February 8.
Now "Willie from Aberdeen" has come up with another option, namely fly Easy Jet from Glasgow to Alicante on a Saturday. Here is his helpful note:

"I went on travelsupermarket.com last night, entered the dates I wanted to travel. Easy Jet fly every Saturday from Glasgow to Alicante for £49.99 (including all taxes & charges) each way which I think is a great deal.
"Include £30 per head for golf clubs and £12 per head for baggage up to 20 Kilos and you are looking at £471.92 for a party of four.
"I know this is to Alicante and we have another one hour drive from there to the the Hacienda del Alamo resort but that’s not bad! Not only that you are leaving Glasgow at 4 pm and the return is slightly later at 10.50pm arrival in Glasgow the following Saturday but you’ve got the Sunday to recover.
"If you don't want to come home until either Monday, February 11 or 18, there is a Easy Jet flight from Alicante to Glasgow."

+If you have any brighter ideas about travel arrangements to get to and from the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival at Murcia, Spain, please E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com