2013 is going to be great!! Let just believe it and look forward to it!!

Sporting Quotes of 2012!!!

 “He’s going to teach me cricket. Because I don’t understand what’s going on with that.”
Barack Obama finds a use for David Cameron.(March 2012)

“Mario Balotelli is like Marmite, you either love him or hate him. Me? I’m in between.”
Joe Royle   (April 2012)

“I listened to my DAB radio and my Abba CD. Flying would have been sensible, but this is ‘me’ time.”
Colin Montgomerie explains why he drove 1,500 miles to fetch a putter from his home in Scotland.(May 2012)

“I’ve just packed my wellies, flippers & snorkel.”
Ian Poulter prepares for the Open. No clubs, Ian? (July 2012)

 “You don’t have any tools out there. You’ve just got to go with what is in your pants.”
Nicolas Colsaerts’ philosophy and trouser contents do him proud at the Ryder Cup(September 2012)

“Just because he is a famous footballer doesn’t mean he has any money coming in.”
Michael Ballack’s lawyer after his client refused to pay a speeding fine(November 2012)


“When I went in the local fans booed me, I felt a bit offended. But in the end they clapped and invited me for coffee.”
Arrigo Brovedani, Udinese’s only travelling fan for a game against Genoa
 
“No Italian club would be able to afford him. Balotelli is as valuable as the Mona Lisa.”
Mario Balotelli’s agent is almost certainly wrong
 
READ MORE:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/9771958/The-Telegraphs-sporting-quotes-of-the-year-2012.html 

 

2012 - What is you golf memory?

As the year draws to a close what are your golf memories of 2012? For me the best has to be the amazing Ryder Cup Victory. Maybe yours is more personal, whatever it is lets hope 2013 is a great GOLFING year for us all.

Miguel Jimenez - Breaks right leg skiing!!

Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez will be out of action for up to five months after breaking his right leg in a skiing accident.

The 48-year-old Ryder Cup star was hurt when he fell in the Sierra Nevada range of Andalucia in southern Spain.
He broke his tibia just below the knee and was taken immediately to a hospital in Malaga where he underwent a successful operation.
"It will take me three, four or five months to fully recover and play again at a competitive level," said Jimenez.

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Alternate arm dumbbell bench press

An exercise to strengthen your arms, chest and core.

Rating: Moderate
Instructions:

• Lay back on a Fit Ball so that you are in the position shown in Figure 1.
• Your knees should be flexed to 90° and shoulder width apart.
• Keep your bottom up so that your body is in a straight line.
• Hold the dumbbells so they are just off your outer chest.
• Slowly push the right dumbbell straight up (don’t let your elbow fully straighten) and then slowly back to the starting position.
• Repeat for your left arm.
• Repeat 2-3 sets of 12.

Ensure:

• You perform every repetition with good control.
• You keep your back in a neutral position.
• You don’t drop the weight at the end of the set and slowly come back into a sitting position when you have finished each set.
• Break for one minute between each set.

Alternative:

• You can perform this exercise on a bench if you don’t have a Fit Ball.
• If you don’t have dumbbells, use something simple from home that is easy to hold to add weight e.g. packet of rice.

With thanks to LET professional Rebecca Coakley.






Ladies European Tour (LET) - Alternate arm dumbbell bench press

NEW YEAR - GET FIT FOR GOLF

 After the excess of the holiday season the New Year is a great time to start a fresh! Plan you Golf Holidays (with us of  course!) and get back on the course to blow away the holiday cob webs!

Here are a few exercises to help you with your golf for 2013.


This exercise targets the muscles in your chest which are important for generating power during the swing.

Rating: Moderate-hard This exercise targets the muscles in your chest which are important for generating power during the swing. Instructions:

• Place your hands on the ball, shoulder width apart. Also have your feet shoulder width apart.
• Place the ball against a wall.
• Slowly lower your chest towards the ball by bending your elbows and then push off the ball by straightening your elbows.
• Repeat 12 times.

Ensure:

• You keep your body straight i.e. don’t let your back sag. Also, don’t let your bottom or your shoulder blades stick out!

Alternative:

• You can make the exercise harder by taking the ball away from the wall.
• If you experience wrist pain, try making a fist with your hand rather than having your wrist in the extended position shown in the picture. 

All the information is courtesy of:
 Ladies European Tour (LET) - Push ups on ball

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Ladies European Tour unveils 2013 global schedule

 

 READ MORE:
 Ladies European Tour (LET) - Ladies European Tour unveils 2013 global schedule

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Carlota´s Christmas Time

   

Spain's Carlota Ciganda had an amazing 2012, winning the ISPS Handa Order of Merit, Player's Player of the Year and Rolex Rookie of the Year. Find out how Carlota plans to unwind over the Christmas break.

1. What do you normally do over Christmas? Family and friends time over Christmasmas! Rest and eat a lot!
2. What are your plans for this Christmas? Rest, take some time off from golf! Dinners with friends! Play other sports! Enjoy the Family and being home!
3. How would you ideally spend your Christmas holidays? The way I spend it! Family and friends time!
4. What would be your dream Christmas gift? I am happy with everything that I have. Dont really need any special gift! Just health for my family.
5. Have you ever worn a Father Christmas hat? Not really..
6. What is the typical food you eat during Christmas? We eat a lot! Lots of starters, spanish ham, cheese, salads, seafood... Then steak or fish! And cake and chocolates for deserts! Too much food...
7. What do you like most about Christmas? And least? I love that we meet all the family! Lot of union and love between my family! The least thinking about the gifts!
8. If you could make a wish that would make come true this Christmas, what would it be? Health and happiness for the people that I love!
9. What would be the summary of your 2012 season on Tour? Amazing! I can’t wait for 2013 :-)

I want to thank you the tour AND all the players for such a GREAT year! Overall, I felt comfortable and had such a great time!

READ MORE
Ladies European Tour (LET) - Carlota´s Christmas Time

SEASON GREETINGS TO YOU ALL

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Carlota Ciganda wins the LET’s 2012 Rolex Rookie of the Year Award

   

The Ladies European Tour is delighted to announce that Carlota Ciganda has won the 2012 Rolex Rookie of the Year Award.
Ciganda is the first player since Laura Davies in 1985 to win the LET Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year Awards in the same season.
The 22-year-old from Pamplona in Spain was also voted ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ for 2012, following her sensational results which included two victories in Holland and China, along with ten further top ten finishes from 19 tournaments played.
Ciganda said: “It has been a great rookie year for me.  I have been playing really good golf, very happy with my game. For me, the best memories, they have been winning the two events.  The first one in Holland, it was very special because it was my first one.  And it was also my birthday week and my mom was there, my uncle, so that was nice.  Then winning in China was also great, because I played really good golf, and I had a lot of fun.  I really like the course over there. But I mean overall it has been a great year, I really liked it on the Tour.
“I really enjoyed playing in Europe: the players were very good and very nice with me.  It's like a family so it's really nice. Then I was happy to have my caddie, as well, he's a good friend.  His name is Javi.  He helps me a lot and has a lot of confidence in my game.  He was really helping me and I think I've been very lucky.”
Ciganda led the LET season’s statistics for total birdies with 204. She ranked second in scoring average with an average score of 70.5 and was also ranked second in greens in regulation with 80.36 per cent from 66 tournament rounds.

READ MORE
http://www.ladieseuropeantour.com/main_article.php?id=64086&pid=1001

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Karrie Webb Returns to Ladies Masters in 2013

   

Australia’s greatest female golfer, Karrie Webb has confirmed she will return to the Gold Coast for the 2013 Volvik RACV Ladies Masters being played from 1 to 3 February at the RACV Royal Pines Resort.

The World Golf Hall of Famer, who missed her first Ladies Masters earlier this year, is looking forward to returning to a place that she has had such an incredible record. Webb has won no less than seven times, finished runner-up four times and posted another four top 10 finishes.

"I am very pleased that I am returning to RACV Royal Pines where I have so many great memories in the past" Webb said.

"My nieces and nephews will be joining me so I look forward to some good golf and time on the beach on the beautiful Gold Coast and all that it has to offer."

The new format, three rounds, is something Webb has considered and says it will mean a slightly different mindset when she tees it up in the first round.

“We have played three round tournament at the Ladies Masters before when torrential rain caused cancellation of the first round, however this is a little different, we are going in knowing it is three rounds. It means you have to be on your game from the start, a quick start is important.”

Tournament Chairman Bob Tuohy said “Karrie’s return to the RACV Royal Pines Resort next February in search of her eighth Masters title makes a huge statement and again endorses her commitment to the well-being of Australian women’s golf and the Volvik RACV Ladies Masters.”

READ MORE

http://www.ladieseuropeantour.com/main_article.php?id=64083&pid=1001

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Karrie Webb Returns to Ladies Masters in 2013

Emporio Armani Pontevecchio Challenge

Location Florence Italy - 14th - 16th December 2012, undoubtedly the most strange and fascinating golf event of the year.

 

  

 

 

READ MORE:

http://www.pontevecchiochallenge.it/index.php?switchlang=eng

Montgomerie inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame

Colin Montgomerie and former European Tour executive director Ken Schofield will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year.
Former Ryder Cup captain Montgomerie, who was elected through the international ballot, and Schofield - selected through the lifetime achievement category - will be honoured along with fellow inductees Fred Couples, Willie Park Jnr and Ken Venturi on May 6, 2013 at the World Golf Village in St Augustine, Florida.

Charl Schwartzel - 12-shot win at Alfred Dunhill Championship

 

Charl Schwartzel finneshed his year in style as he breezed to a 12-shot victory at the storm-hit Alfred Dunhill Championship in his native South Africa.

The home favourite was on cruised for much of the final round, signing off with a composed three-under 69 to post a tournament-record score of 24 under par.

Rory McIlroy tops the Official World Golf Ranking for 2012

Rory McIlroy ends 2012 on a high as he tops the Official World Golf Ranking, with British team-mate Luke Donald in second place.

Marked as the successor to 14-time Major winner Tiger Wood, Rory tops the list with a total of 596.99 points scored, with 2011's world number one Luke Donald following (345.77).
Rory who finished last year ranked third, has enjoyed an amazing  2012, winning the USPGA Championship by an impressive eight shots as well as successfully retaining the Ryder Cup in Medinah as part of the European team.
Tiger Woods ends 2012 ranked behind the two Brits, a significant improvement on his 23rd place finish in 2011, with Justin Rose in fourth place.
The rankings reveal there are 19 Europeans in the leading 50, and a further 18 have already booked their spots in the first major of 2013.

GOLF IN SPAIN

www.solgolfvacations.com

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Quick 18 with Virgina Espejo, from Spain.

   

Lalla Aicha Tour School 2013 Final Qualifying and this is what Virginia Espejo, from Spain, answered to our Quick 18 questionnaire.

Front 9
1. Tell me something most people don't know about you? Although I seem to be very open person, I am really very shy and . timid.
2. What would you like to do for a living if you are not a pro golfer? I would like to work on something related to my career, Maths, so maybe golf club design…Something to do with golf & Maths.
3. Education? I attended University of Mississippi and I was there from beginning 2007 to end of last year. I graduated in Maths.
4. How many and which languages do you speak? I can speak 2, English and Spanish.
5. Who would be in your dream foursome? I can’t say only four people! McIlroy, my father and third one would be different, depending on the day. So, today’s would be my friend Patricia Lobato who could not play here this stage.
6. What is your favourite activity you do when you want to relax? I like to do any kind of sport or watch movies.
7. Do you have a favourite TV commercial or series? “Big-Bang Theory” and “A modern family” are my favourite TV series.
8. What invention do you wish you had thought of? Chupa-Chups (lollipups).
9. Favourite gift you have received and from who? Yes, this bracelet that Patricia Lobato gave it to me few weeks ago. Since I wear it, I have played under par every round.
Back 9
10. What’s your favourite tradition in your country that you love doing? On Christmas, my family and some of my aunts and uncles come to our home in “El Escorial” (Madrid) and we meet all there. We spend the 24^th and 25^th all together and we have dinner in front of the fireplace and on 25^th we have lunch again, a special lunch. We eat duck.
11. When and how did you started to play golf? I started to play golf when I was 13 at “Las Rejas” (Madrid). I used to play basketball but I got injured and had some problems with my knees. At that time, a friend of my father offered me the chance to start to play golf and he gave me a set of clubs. So I got addicted to it. One of the persons that encourage me to play was Freddy Lilly and alos Miguel Carrasco. And my first teacher was Maria Martin (sister of famous golf pro Miguel Angel Marín).
12. Best round ever? -6, today’s round here at Al Maaden (Day 2 on Tour School Final-Q)
13. Best part of your game? Any Yardage in particularly that you are an expert? The driving, I am very long with the driver and I love to practice it.
14. Weakest part of your game? My strategy.
15. Driving distance? 255-265 meters.
16. Putting average? 30 putts aprox. on 10-15 events that I have attenden this year (Banesto, LETAS and some local pro tournaments in Madrid).
17. Any hole in one? Yes, one when I was 16. It was a lucky shot.
18. Your favourite course? This one, Al Maaden.

 READ MORE
Ladies European Tour (LET) - Quick 18 with Virgina Espejo, from Spain.

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Interview with Chloe Leurquin from Belgium.

   

Front 9:

1. When and how did you started to play golf? I started to play golf at 12 in Belgium, near Brussels.

2. How did you started it and who did encourage you? My father plays golf and one summer he took me with him over the golf course and I made some friends. My father has encouraged me to play since them.
 

3. Tell me something most people don't know about you? I am still studying in Belgium. It’s a 5 years career and I have 1 and a half more to do. I am studying “Business& Engineering”. It's a typical Belgium career.

4. What would you like to do for a living if you are not a pro golfer? I would like to be a consultant.
 

5. How many and which languages do you speak? French and English. And I also understand Spanish.

6. Who would be in your dream foursome? Tiger Woods, Nicolas Colstaers and my coach.

7. What is your favourite activity you do when you want to relax? I like to go shopping.

8. Do you have a favourite TV commercial or series? "Suits", it's an American TV series about lawyers.

9. What invention do you wish you had thought of? Facebook.

Back 9:

10. Favourite gift you have received and from who? My favorite gift was a travel with my father when I was 13. He made me chose 3 different places to spend 3 weeks. And we went to Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapur. It was very nice!

11. What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment to date? Deal with my studies and golf. I think I am doing it pretty well at the time.

12. Is there a song that you like to sing when no one is around like in the car or the shower? I sing all the time. Now I am signing “Domino” from Jessie J.

13. What is your favorite store to shop in and why? I like Zara.

14. What beauty product can you not live without? Mascara, for the eyes.

15. What is your favorite time of year? Summer.

16. Tell us something you hate doing. Why? Wash the dishes. It's disgusting.

17. If you could have an unlimited storage of one thing, what would it be? Shoes, I love them and I have so many!

18. What's the best piece of advice you have ever received? To believe in my dreams and to go for them!

 READ MORE
 Ladies European Tour (LET) - Interview with Chloe Leurquin from Belgium.

ASIA SEAL VICTORY IN SUDDEN DEATH PLAY OFF

South Korean KT Kim sank the winning putt in a sudden death play-off to give Asia victory over Europe in the Royal Trophy in Brunei.

The two teams finished the singles on Sunday tied at 8-8 and on the first extra hole Kim holed an eight foot putt for birdie before Belgian Colsaerts missed from five.
Under Ryder Cup rules Europe, who were captained by Jose Maria Olazabal, would have retained the trophy as holders, but in this competition a fourball play-off is used to determine the winner.
Kim and YE Yang faced off with Colsaerts and Francesco Molinari, with the former pair leading Asia to victory for only the second time since the competition's inception in 2006.
It was a success which looked unlikely when Asia lost the four opening foursomes by three points on Friday, but they were only one behind going into the final day singles.
Colsaerts and Henrik Stenson both won on the final green, Edoardo Molinari came back from three down with five to play to halve with Wu Ashun and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano birdied the last to share the spoils with Kim.

  

READ MORE

http://www1.skysports.com/golf/news/12230/8335978/Asia-win-sudden-death-play-off-to-beat-Europe-in-Royal-Trophy

SERGIO CLAIMS VICTORY IN MALAYSIA

Sergio Garcia produced a superb final round of 61 to claim victory at the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia.

Weather problems meant the Asian Tour event was shortened to three rounds and it was Spaniard Garcia who made the decisive move on Sunday.
American Jonathan Moore matched him by completing the final 18 holes in 11-under par but his deficit going into the final day meant his effort was only good enough for second.
Garcia finished 18-under for the tournament, with three shots behind him and Thongchai Jaidee a shot further back.

 

READ MORE
http://www1.skysports.com/golf/news/12230/8336042/Sergio-Garcia-wins-Iskandar-Johor-Open-in-Malaysia-after-brilliant-final-round

LOOKING FOR A GOLF BREAK IN 2013?

THIS IS WHO WE ARE!
WWW.SOLGOLFVACATIONS.COM

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Q-18 and some extra holes with English top amateur Emily Taylor

 

Front 9
Tell me something most people don't know about you? I took up the game because I have always copied my older brother. He started to play golf and I started too, to try to beat him.
 
What would you like to do for a living if you are not a pro golfer? I would like the work in the Police Force.
 
Education? Which University and degree? I went to Preston College in England and I got two A levels.
 
How many and which languages do you speak? English , just one.
 
Who would be in your dream foursome? Caroline Hedwall, Suzann Pettersen and Tiger Woods.
 
What is your favourite activity you do when you want to relax? Take the dog for a walk.
 
Do you have a favourite TV commercial or series? "Friends".
 
What invention do you wish you had thought of? Chocolate.
 
Favourite gift you have received and from who? A puppy from my mum.

Back 9  
What’s your favourite tradition from your country you love doing? Eating fish & chips.

And favourite expression from your country? Well, it's not a very polite expression. Can I say it? "Bloody hell!!" (Oooops, sorry...)
What is the one thing you have done and would never want to do again? Spend the winter in England.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment to date? Playing in the Ricoh Women’s British Open with Carlota Ciganda and Laura Davies this year at Royal Liverpool.

Is there a song that you like to sing when no one is around like in the car or the shower? Yes, High School Musical.

What is your favorite store to shop in and why? A chocolate shop.

What beauty product can you not live without?  Body wash

What is your favorite time of year? Summer time

Tell us something you hate doing. Why? Shopping, because it takes too long.

Some extra holes:
19.  If you could have an unlimited storage of one thing, what would it be? Chocolates

20.  Which is the funniest prank played on your or played by you? It was a prank played on me. My national team, a couple of years ago, told me that I had to get up and sing a song in front of a group of 50 people. So, finally I did it... and I did it really badly, I sing awful. But then they said to me that I really did not have to do it.

READ MORE
Ladies European Tour (LET) - Q-18 and some extra holes with English top amateur Emily Taylor

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Espejo goes one clear in Marrakech

 

Virginia Espejo from Madrid
Virginia Espejo of Spain fired a six under par 66 on the Al Maaden Course in Marrakech, Morocco, on Friday to take a one stroke advantage after the second round of the final stage of Lalla Aicha Tour School.
Playing under sunny skies, Espejo reeled off eight birdies and two bogeys to reach 10 under par in the five-round marathon to determine playing categories for the 2013 Ladies European Tour season.
The Madrid-based professional went clear of two players at nine under: Swedish professional Camilla Lennarth and English amateur Emily Taylor, who shot rounds of 65 and 66 on the Amelkis course respectively.
Australian Sarah King and Katie Burnett of the United States, who both shot seven under par 65s on the Amelkis course, were a shot further back alongside Alexandra Vilatte who carded a 68 on the Al Maaden Course.
The 141 woman field is spilt over the Al Maaden and Amelkis Resorts over the first four days, playing two rounds on each of the courses. After 72 holes, a cut at 60 plus ties precedes the fifth and final round on the Al Maaden Golf Resort to decide the top 30 full cards plus ties on offer for the 2013 Ladies European Tour.
Espejo, a mathematician who graduated from Mississippi University a year ago, ironically relied on her caddie to keep her score.
“A million thanks to my caddie, because without him, I would not have been able to keep my score,” said Espejo, who turned professional in March 2012 and has played in around 15 tournaments on the LET Access Series and Spanish tours this season.
READ MORE BELOW
Ladies European Tour (LET) - Espejo goes one clear in Marrakech

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Meet Maria Salinas: blazing a trail for Peruvian women’s golf

 

Peruvian amateur Maria Salinas is competing at Lalla Aicha Tour School in Marrakech this week and should she be successful, hopes to become the first professional woman golfer from her country.
Maria, 23, started to play golf aged six with her father and brother at Lima Golf, one of only five golf courses in Peru, which are all private.
There are 2000 golfers in Peru and eight girl golfers with a scratch handicap. Maria said: “Golf is getting bigger though, they are opening the first public golf course, its nine holes but it is all sand right now. The R&A sponsors a lot of golf in South America.”
There are a few male professional golfers from Peru playing on the Latin American PGA Tour but Maria hopes to become the first to break through into Europe.
“I have been once to Europe before on vacation, but twice if you include the World Amateur in Turkey in September,” she said.
Maria has Italian grandparents and so holds dual citizenship with Peru and Italy, but doesn’t speak Italian.
Her older brother, who is a year her senior, also played competitively but quit before Maria took up golf scholarship at Florida State, from where she recently graduated.  
A Quick 18 with Maria Salinas:
1.      Tell me something most people don't know about you?
Probably that I have two citizenships: Italian and Peruvian.
2.      What would you like to do for a living if you are not a pro golfer?
Something related to sports. I like football (soccer) a lot.
3. Education? Which University and degree?
Florida State University. International Affairs.
4. How many and which languages do you speak?
Spanish and English. Spanish is my first language.
5.      Who would be in your dream foursome?
I would say Lorena Ochoa, Tiger and Rory.
6.      What is your favourite activity you do when you want to relax?
I like to play football. I have a team with my friends back home and we play in a small league every week. They were in high school with me and we used to play at high school. Now we play together.
7.      Do you have a favourite TV commercial or series?
Friends.
8.      What invention do you wish you had thought of?
The internet.
9.      What’s your favourite tradition from your country you love doing?
The food from my country, like Ceviche: its raw fish with lemon and stuff.
10.  What is the one thing you have done and would never want to do again?
In the Medina (square in Marrakech), with the snakes! I don’t like snakes!
11.  What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment to date?
Finished school and was a good player on my team.
12.   Is there a song that you like to sing when no one is around like in the car or the shower?
Any songs of Enrique Iglesias.
13.  What is your favorite store to shop in and why?
Maybe Bloomingdales that has everything back in New York.
14.  What beauty product can you not live without?
Lotion.
15.  What is your favorite time of year?
Summer.
16.  Favorite quote or saying?
Vamos!
17.  If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
Water, chocolate and my iPhone.
18.  When did you start playing golf?
I started playing when I was six with my brother and my dad.
READ MORE BY CLICKING LINK BELOW
 Ladies European Tour (LET) - Meet Maria Salinas: blazing a trail for Peruvian women’s golf

INTRODUCING OUR NEW CADIZ RESORT!!

ARCOS GARDENS - Arcos de la Frontera - Cadiz Spain

Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate

Our beautiful new resort is situated on the outskirts of Arcos de la Frontera in Cadiz among vineyards sunflower fields and olive orchards. This is place dreams are made of a peaceful and beautiful area of Spain surrounded by spectacular country side and white washed Andalusian villages. Its attractive  location and the natural landscape surrounding Arcos Gardens make it an ideal place to play golf and enjoy the leisure activities and the local area.

Guests can treat themselves to the spa and beauty centre or enjoy the excellent cuisine on offer in the club house restaurant and bar. Our golf packages include a stay at one of the exclusive villas or one of the 10 beautiful Andalusian style rooms in the Arcos-Gardens country hotel each room is decorated with an individual design and flair.

Arcos Gradens & Country Club is an exclusive gated golf resort just three kilometers from the famous white washed hill side town of Arcos de la Frontera in the Cadiz province of Andalucia. Consisting of a 18 hole  championship golf  course, double ended driving practise range, extensive golf game practise areas and a goolf school with Trackman Radar.

The Club house is the centre of the resort where you will find the reception, restaurant, bar and pro-shop. All our accommodation is offered in the Andalusian "Cortijo" with 10 individual bedrooms, 42 2 bed roomed luxury townhouses, 3 large corporate villas, the federation house suitable for housing teams and 4 bedroom executive villas.

This really is an exceptional resort and offers  a variety of sporting activities to suit the whole family in the multi sport and leisure area: Tennis lessons, horse riding, archery lessons,
mountain bike riding and of course the beautiful day spa with a variety of beauty treatments available.

...anteprima del nuovo numero di FairWay Ladies, il primo periodico italiano di golf & lifestyle al femminile!

Ladies European Tour (LET) - China’s Feng takes control

   

Shanshan Feng

China’s World No.6 Shanshan Feng moved into the sole lead ahead of her overnight co-leader Florentyna Parker early in the second round of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters on Thursday morning.
Feng, the first player from China to win a major championship in June, birdied five of her first eight holes to reach 11 under par after picking up shots on 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17.
Her playing partner Parker birdied the par-3 15^th to remain in the hunt for her second title on the Ladies European Tour but could not keep pace as Feng blitzed the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club. The 23-year-old was bogey-free through 26 holes of the championship.
Sweden's Louise Stahle set the current women’s course record of 64 (- 8) in 2007 which contained nine birdies - five on the front nine. Her lone bogey came on the eighth. The men’s course record of 62 was set by Ernie Els.
Germany’s Caroline Masson was also taking advantage of the cool and benign morning conditions conducive to scoring. She birdied 10 and 11 and was six under after seven holes, alongside Cindy LaCrosse of the United States after eight.

CHECK OUT ALL THE NEWS BELOW
 http://www.ladieseuropeantour.com/main_article.php?id=63337&pid=1001




Ladies European Tour (LET) - China’s Feng takes control

Ladies European Tour (LET) - First round leader quotes from the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters

 

SHANSHAN FENG

                Q.  Could you give us a summary of your round, how did you play first of all?

                SHANSHAN FENG:  I think it's my first time for this tournament, and it's my sponsor's tournament, so I came with pressure, actually.  Before the round, I told myself on the driving range, I said, I have to be patient, whether I'm playing well or not.  And I was patient because I was only 1‑under through seven holes.  I missed a lot of chances.  But I had quite a come back, so finished with 6‑under and really happy about that.

            Q.  What changed during the round if you didn't start so well?  What made the difference on the back nine?

                SHANSHAN FENG:  I would say my iron shots weren't as accurate on the front.  But I started to do well since the eighth hole.  I made like a 15‑foot putt and starting from there, I was doing really well.

            Q.  When you arrived as the highest‑ranked player in the tournament, do you expect to win?  Is that the goal when you start out on day one?

                SHANSHAN FENG:  Like I said, I came with pressure, so I was just ‑‑ my goal was just Top‑5.  I wasn't thinking about, you know, too much like about winning or not.  But you know, I'm going to try my best on every shot.

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Ladies European Tour (LET) - First round leader quotes from the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Feng and Parker share first-round lead in Dubai

Chinese golfer Shanshan Feng and Florentyna Parker of England opened with matching six under par 66s on the Majlis Golf Course at Emirates Golf Club on Wednesday to share the first-round lead in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
World No.6 Feng fired six birdies in her first 16 holes and was caught when Parker rolled in a putt on the iconic par-5 18^th for birdie.
The pair, playing together for the first two rounds, ended the day a stroke ahead of three other players.
Klára Spilková of the Czech Republic set the pace with a bogey-free 67 in the morning before being joined on that number by Cindy Lacrosse of the United States and Welshwoman Sahra Hassan in the afternoon.
Feng is making her tournament debut as a newly appointed ambassador of the sponsor, OMEGA. She said: “I think it's my first time for this tournament, and it's my sponsor's tournament, so I came with pressure, actually.  Before the round, I told myself on the driving range, I said, I have to be patient, whether I'm playing well or not and I was patient because I was only one‑under through seven holes.  I missed a lot of chances but I had quite a comeback, so finished with six‑under and really happy about that.”

 

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 Ladies European Tour (LET) - Feng and Parker share first-round lead in Dubai

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Klára Spilková sets target at Omega Dubai Ladies Masters

   

Klára Spilková of the Czech Republic claimed the early lead at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters with an immaculate opening round of five under par 67 on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.
The second year Ladies European Tour professional from Prague birdied her first two holes and then picked up three shots in a row from the 10^th on a warm and calm first morning.
“I played really good.  I had five birdies and was very, very solid, so I'm so happy.  It was a good game,” said Spilková. “I enjoy this golf course, it suits my style.  The greens are very nice, very good roll.  So I made very nice birdies and very good putts.”
Spilková is looking to gift herself an early birthday present by securing her tour card for the 2013 season with a strong performance in Dubai before she turns 18 next Saturday. She is currently ranked 97^th on the ISPS Handa Order of Merit and the top 80 players, who have competed in at least six events over the season, will retain their full playing status.  At present, she is just outside that mark.
“My year wasn't so good, so I really want to finish good,” she continued. “I had a few cuts, I think it was half and half.  I missed a cut and then made it.  So I really want to finish good, because I a little bit need to. I really want to finish, I don't know, Top‑10, it's going to be nice.”

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Ladies European Tour (LET) - Klára Spilková sets target at Omega Dubai Ladies Masters

2012 PGA TOUR PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

Photographer Chris Condon describes this photo:
"Phil and Keegan thrill at Riviera -- The stage was the 18th hole at Riviera on Sunday during the Northern Trust Open. Both Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley make huge birdies to force a three-way playoff with Bill Haas. Haas would win on the first playoff hole, but these two electrified the crowd with back-to-back amazing golf shots."

  

Photograph courtesy of Chris Condon/PGA Tour - http://www.pgatour.com/2012/r/11/28/photos-condon-5/index.html

2012 TOUR Photos of the Year: PGA TOUR

Photographer Chris Condon describes this photo:
"Sluman endures a downpour -- Jeff Sluman waits during a downpour on the ninth green during the final round of the Regions Tradition at Shoal Creek. Weather plays such an important part of our sport and when it turns ugly, it is a long day for everyone."

 

Photo courtesy of Chris Condon/PGA Tour - http://www.pgatour.com/2012/r/11/28/photos-condon-3/index.html

Ladies European Tour (LET) - An interview with Carlota Ciganda in Dubai

 

Carlota Ciganda of Spain led the 2012 ISPS Handa Order of Merit leading into the Ladies European Tour’s season-ending Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club. Read her comments ahead of the tournament here.
Carlota Ciganda, leading the rookie rankings this year.  This is your first visit to Dubai, and I believe, and this tournament, can you start by talking about how it feels to be here?
            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  I love it at the moment.  I played here three times as an amateur and this is my first time as a professional, and I'm very happy to be here because I really like the course, all of the people here.  The food is really good, and the course is amazing.  It's in great shape and I think it's a great moment to finish here the Ladies European Tour.

Q.  It's been a dream season for you, leading the Order of Merit coming into the final; look back at the season.

            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  In Australia the first event, I love to compete and playing in the moment, and then I started playing in the LET and I've been playing all year.  I've won two amazing tournaments in China and that was great.
            And I've been playing all over and I'm playing and having fun.  It's been a very good year.  It's easy to travel, living my family, because I studied in the States so it's nice to be back home again, and I really like it playing in Europe.

Q.  Can you talk about the race and this weekend and how do you think Caroline is going to do, and are you thinking about her game or are you just thinking about your positioning this weekend?

            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  I think she's going to play good.  She's been playing great all year and she got her card last week and I'm very happy for her because she's a great player.
            I'm going to focus on my game ‑‑ it's one more week of golf, four more days and I just enjoy playing golf and I'm going to play one day at a time and enjoy the beautiful course and beautiful weather.
            Yeah, I'm going to think of my game but nothing else.  It's going to be great.

            Q.  You're in the lead, so psychologically is that an advantage or disadvantage, or how do you view it?

            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  I think it's an advantage if you are first on the Money List.  But I don't like to think too much about that.
            I just like to think about playing golf and playing on the course and if you give it 100 percent when you are on the course, I think the result is going to be good and if you play good, you're going to be at the top.

            Q.  You played amateur golf for quite a few years and you turned professional only this year.  Do you think that there's been an advantage for you that you played so much amateur golf?

            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  I played for three years, and that was good, the experience, playing a lot of courses there, and then I felt I was ready.
            Some people make the turn when I was 18, but when I was 20 ‑‑ when I was 21, it was good playing as an amateur and now it is good playing as a professional and I am happy because I am enjoying.
            So I think it's the right time.  I don't think too much amateur, professional, but I was ready so I turned it.

Q.  Laura Davies, she was the first lady to win the Order of Merit as rookie; what do you think of that achievement, and what do you think of ‑‑

            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  Yeah, I played with her a lot this year and I think it was very good for me to play with her because I learned so many things.
            She's so talented and I think she's one of the best players of all times in golf.  I don't know how many times she won the Money List and she's such a good person on the course and she's so talented.  She can hit shots from anywhere.  So playing with her was good.
            Then she was really nice with me, so to win the Money List as a rookie would be an honor for me ‑‑ I'm very happy ‑‑ first play the Pro‑Am and then the next day and we'll see how it goes, because it's golf and anything can happen.

            Q.  Laura said you're not a rookie in the true sense of the word because you've been an amateur so long and you've played so many events; do you acknowledge that you might not be actually a rookie?

            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  I played in the Ladies European Tour and I played in the LPGA also so I know how it works a little but I never played ‑‑ I think I'm a rookie and a lot of things I need to keep learning a lot.
            I'm just starting, so I think I have to improve in a lot of things in the game and just going to try to do that and have fun out there.

            Q.  What has been the most difficult thing as a full professional?  And what has been the most enjoyable thing for you?

            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  The most difficult, maybe all the traveling and going to China, the jet‑lag, then coming back and spending a lot of weeks out of home.  But I like it because when I go to the place and I go to the course, I'm happy and I love to play golf.
            Then I really enjoyed playing in Europe, the players were very good and very nice with me.  It's like a family so it's really nice.
            Then I was happy to have my caddie, as well, he's a good friend.  His name is Javi.  He helps me a lot and has a lot of confidence in my game.  He was really helping me and I think I've been very lucky.  I can't complain at all.  I don't see any bad things about The European Tour; all good.

            Q.  And you come from Spain which has a tradition of great golfers starting from Seve Ballesteros to some of the recent ones.  Who would be your idol and can you tell me any influence Seve has been in your life?

            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  I never saw him play but I saw like a lot of videos of him and I'm good friends with his son because we played amateur golf together, and he plays good golf.
            Seve, he won two times the Masters, so in Spain I think for European golf, he was a hero and he was unbelievable the way he played.  He could hit a shot from anywhere.  I think he was one of the good golfers of all time.
            Then a lot of Spanish won here, like José Maria Olazábal has won here, Alvaro Quiros, Rafa, Seve, so it's good.

            Q.  Any recent players on the men's tour ‑‑ have you had any talks with any of the recent players about turning pro and life as a professional?

            CARLOTA CIGANDA:  A few players, I knew Sergio García and I know Gonzalo Fernández‑Castaño, I'm friends with them.  Sergio, I'm good friends and I played with him before going to India and he just says to keep enjoying and keep having fun because golf can be really nice sometimes and other times not that fun.  So just try to enjoy the good moments and take the most of everything.

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 Ladies European Tour (LET) - An interview with Carlota Ciganda in Dubai

Rory McIlroy selected as Player of the Year

 

McIlroy and John Huh -- who was named PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year -- were selected via vote by the TOUR's membership for the 2012 season.
PGA TOUR members who played in at least 15 official money events in 2012 were eligible to vote. The balloting process ended on November 30.
"On behalf of the PGA TOUR, my congratulations to Rory and John for their outstanding accomplishments this season," PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem said. "These awards are significant to these players as they are bestowed upon them by their peers, one of highest compliments a player can receive."