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.

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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.

KRISTY AND KELLY HAVE SEVEN BIRDIES ON
WAY TO FIRST-ROUND LEAD IN FOUR-BALL

The Florida team of Kristy McLaughlin (Daytona) and Kelly Calkin (Palm City) fired seven birdies on route to establishing a clear lead with a 65 at the end of the first round of the 62nd Women's International Four-ball tournament - the closing event of the 2008 Orange Blossom Tour - at Orangebrook Golf Club, Hollywood in Floriday today.
Former champions Diane Lang (Weston, Florida) and Monica Von Glahn (North Palm Beach, Florida) returned a 70, along with 2007 senior champion Anna Schultz and her partner Jewell Malick.
FIRST ROUND SCORES
65 Kelly Calkin & Kristy McLaughlin.
70 Diane Lang & Monica Von Glahn.
70 Anna Schultz & Jewell Malick.
71 Meghan Bolger & Jill Hardy (Canada).
72 Taffy Brower & Ann Pohira.
74 Marlene Streit & Carol Semple Thompson.
74 Barbara Pagana & Bonnie George.
74 Peggy Woodard & Mary Hill.
76 Susan Rampelberg & Bronwyne Bruner.
80 Joyce Martinj & Karen Krug.
81 Ronnie Hall & Jewel Frei.
82 Marcella Rose & Judy Coker.
84 Carol Ratcliffe & Vicki Huggins.

Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival

EMILY OGILVY DISLOCATES SHOULDER BUT DETERMINED

TO GO TO SPAIN ... EVEN IF

SHE'S NOT FIT TO PLAY!

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Scotland amateur international player Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder) has dislocated her shoulder during fitness training in the gymnasium. She has to keep her arm in a sling until Tuesday of next week when she has an appointement with the doctor.

"Until then, we won't know if she will be able to play at the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival, although, as thing stand at the moment, it's extremely unlikely," said her mother Karen tonight.

"As you can imagine, Emily is very disappointed and very frustrated. However, she is still going out to Spain for the Festival."

The Festival tees off on Sunday, February 10 with a free practice round over the Dave Thomas-designed championship course.

The Murcia Ladies Open Championship over two rounds will take centre stage at the five-star Murcia resort on Monday and Tuesday, February 11 and 12.

There has been a late addition to the list of professionals who have entered.

Jacqueline Pecoitz from Argentina, a Category 9 player on Sweden's Telia Tour, is going to play in all six events over the two weeks of the HDA Festival. Welcome aboard, Jacqueline!

FINAL LIST OF ENTRIES FOR 2008 FESTIVAL

PROFESSIONALS
Claire COUGHLAN (Ireland)
Tracey CRAIK (Scotland)

Lauren DIGGLE (Wales).
Martina GILLEN (Ireland)
Nicky LUMB (England)
Maria MARTIN LOPEZ (Spain).
Danielle MASTERS (England)
Natasha MORGAN (Wales)
Jacqueline PECOITZ (Argentina)
Marian RIORDAN (Ireland).
Katie THOMSON (Scotland).

Lien WILLEMS (Belgium).
Jenna WILSON (Scotland).

AMATEURS

Orla BARRY (Galway) handicap 5.
Lisa BARTON (Coventry) handicap 2
Jane BINNING (Frilford Heath) handicap 2.

Anna CARLING (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 4.
Sarah CARTY (The Island, Dublin) handicap 4.
Kimberley CROOKS (Saltburn by the Sea) handicap scratch. Age 16/17.
Charlotte DALTON (Ladbrook Park) handicap 3. Age 18.
Azimina DESMOND (Hollywood Lakes) handicap 11. Senior.
Cara EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 8. Age 15.

Mandy EASTON (Dalmahoy) handicap 5.
Marion GEOGHEGAN (Navan) handicap 13.
Kate EVANS (Frilford Heath) handicap 7.

Rebecca GEE (Wellingborough) handicap 5. Age 16.
Annie GOWING (Frilford Heath) handicap 5.
Tara GRIBBEN (Warrenpoint) handicap 5. Age 16.
Eveleen HIGGINS (Laytown/Bettystown) handicap 13. Senior.
Gemma JENNINGS (Navan) handicap 12.
Mary McAREE (Navan) handicap 20.
Judy McCAIRNS (Frilford Heath) handicap 9.

Kirsten MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 20. Age 14.
Lauren MacCALLUM (McDonald Ellon) handicap 7. Age 17.

Mary MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 4.

Meghan MacLAREN (Wellingborough) handicap 7. Age 13.
Caroline MURPHY (Grange, Dublin) handicap 9. Age 17.
Emma O’DRISCOLL (Ballybunion). Handicap 5. Age 15.

Emily OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap +1.
Karen OGILVY (Auchterarder) handicap 16.
Amber RATCLIFFE (Royal Cromer) handicap 18. Age 12.
Carla REYNOLDS (Seapoint) handicap 5. Age 16.
Paula REYNOLDS (Seapoint) handicap 19.
Margaret ROONEY (Navan) handicap 20.
Philomena SHEERAN (Navan) handicap 20.
Ami STOREY (Ponteland) handicap scratch.

Rhian Wyn THOMAS (Vale of Glamorgan) handicap 1.

Michele THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) handicap +1.
Jane WHIRISKEY (Galway). Handicap 13.

JIM ROBINSON IS ENGLISH

WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The English Women’s Golf Association is to have a new chief executive. He is Jim Robinson (pictured right), a former senior executive with Severn Trent plc. For the last three years he has worked with the Rugby Football Union as team manager of the England Counties XV, the flagship of the community game.
Robinson’s passion for sport saw him involved with rugby union as a player, coach and administrator and while he is modest about his own golf game, which he plays as a member of Coventry Golf Club, he relishes the opportunity to continue in an executive role in another sport he loves.
"This is a tremendously exciting time for me to join English Women’s Golf," said Robinson. "I’m looking forward to working with the association’s executive staff and with the new management board."
Robinson, who will report to the chairman of the management board, succeeds Pauline Perla who, after a period of hand-over, leaves to take a career break.
Perla joined the then English Ladies’ Golf Association 10 years ago and has led the charge to transform it into a modern, efficient governing body.
Under her leadership a modernisation review was completed last year and the English Women’s Golf Association, a company limited by guarantee, came into being on January 1 this year.
The timing of the new appointment is, in Perla’s view, optimum.
"I applaud everyone who has worked to make the association a modern, forward-thinking organisation ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century," she said.
"Having signalled my intention to take a break, it made sense to have the new chief executive in place at the same time as the new management board, and I wish them all well in their new roles," continued Perla.
Sarah Miller, 2007 chairman of the association, has worked alongside Ms Perla for the past decade and said: "Pauline has been wonderful. Without her we would not be in the position we are today. She has been totally committed to furthering women’s golf and has encouraged us all to move forward.
"She has been an exceptional ambassador for our game and is greatly respected in the higher echelons of golf," added Miller.
Ruth W hitehead, chair of the association’s operational board, echoed Miller’s words: "It’s impossible to put a price on Pauline’s contribution to women’s golf. She has been invaluable and we can’t thank her enough for her great vision and dedication."
Mr Robinson takes up the reins on Monday, January 28, 2008 and, adding his thanks for the legacy left by Ms Perla, said: "Pauline has laid a great foundation from which to take the next steps in driving women’s golf. The opportunity this presents for all levels of the game is one we must not waste."
Jim Robinson's profile can be viewed here.

SLGA Ltd 2008

The Board of SLGA Ltd 2008
Back Row: Shona Malcolm, Sheila Pickles, Gillian Kirkwood
Middle Row: Winifred MacCallum, Pamela MacKenzie, Beth Paterson,
Liz Miskimmin, Helen Cuthbertson, Lynne Terry
Front Row: Pat Wilson (Chairman), Ethel Jack (President), Janet Wake (Vice Chairman)

SLGA Ltd held their AGM on Saturday 19th January at the Station Hotel, Perth.
The SLGA President, Ethel Jack, paid tribute to Mrs Kathleen Copley, a past internationalist and past Chairman of the Association, who died in April, and the audience stood for a minute's silence.
Reports were received from the outgoing Chairman, Margaret MacNaughtan, the Finance Director, Lynn Terry and the representative from the Ladies Golf Union, Gillian Kirkwood.
Liz Miskimmin and Beth Paterson were both elected to the board.
Three changes to the Regulations regarding County Golf were approved by large margins, and, after a clear and concise explanation of the SLGA Business Plan by Shona Malcolm , the new Rules and Regulations for SLGA Ltd were also approved.
Subscriptions for playing members of clubs will increase in 2009 will increase by 50p to £13.
Pat Wilson from Aberdeen was elected as the new Chairman, and the meeting closed with an entertaining vote of thanks from Helen Faulds.

At the Standing Orders meeting of Board of SLGA Ltd which followed that afternoon, Mrs Janet Wake was appointed Vice-Chairman. Winifred McCallum was appointed Chairman of the Selection Committee, Sheila Pickles remains as Chairman of the Girls Junior Golf Committee, Janet Wake remains chairman of the Training Committee until the end of the winter training schedule, when she will be replaced by Beth Paterson. Pamela Mackenzie continues as Chairman of County Golf.