European Tour Refunds Players

After moving  this weeks tournament from South Korea to Singapore the European Tour has picked up any costs its members incurred because of the late decision. However the Asian Tour golfers have not been offered similar reimbursements.

Earlier this month the circuits announced that The Championship had to be relocated due to issues after the original sponsor withdrew, obviously this meant changing flight and hotel bookings so competitors could compete at Laguna National. Directives were sent to the members on how to process the reimbursements.

 

The Asian Tour was not able to help their 72 players  in the 156 man field  in the same way , prize money is estimated at 892,000 pounds down from last years 1.67 million.

Trump buys Turnberry

It is one of the worlds most exclusive golf clubs and has been the location of some of golfs most memorable moments.

Now the links of Turnberry on Scotlands west coast have been purchased by the American Millionaire Donald Trump in a deal rumoured to be around 35 million pound deal. The US tycoon confirmed that the deal had gone through and may soon be called "TRUMP TURNBERRY".

In an interview with Golf.com he admitted that it had not entered his head to buy the course until he heard it was for sale. He owns 16 golf resorts globally but this by far is the jewel in the crown for the 67 year old American who harbours a dream to host a Masters.

Manchester Golf Show

 

Last weekend I took the opportunity of visiting home and the Manchester Golf Show. I spent a very useful Saturday morning meeting and introducing myself to some of the exhibitors at this years show. There was a wide range of golf themed exhibitors and a healthy number of people circulating and participating in some of the "hands on attractions".

I was accompanied by my 23 year old daughter a final year fashion design student at university who was lured to Manchester by the fact that the Manchester Golf Show was situated in the impressive purpose built Event City adjoining the hugely popular Trafford Centre. I think she was quite amazed by the number of youngsters trying out the indoor driving range, trying out the putting gadgets and generally soaking up the atmosphere. We stood and  watched in wonderment at some "tots" getting to grips with the specially made childrens golf clubs, definitely some future Rorys and Tigers if their interest is sustained through the next few years.

There was certainly a good mix of exhibitors and from my point of view some good contacts were made so keep your eye open for hopefully some new collaborations  from Solgolf Vacations over the

next few months, thanks to an enjoyable Saturday morning at the Manchester Golf Show.

 

Heading towards the summer

It has been a late Easter this year and now it is over we are full speed ahead to the summer! There is a very summery feel here in Spain already with blue skies and temperatures hitting the mid 20s  the beaches are filling up nicely and the winter is long gone!

Some golf resorts offer great deals in the summer, these beautiful resorts do not consider summer as peak season and there are quite a few deals to be found if you plan ahead! OK the temperatures are high during July and August here on the Costa Blanca but with long days and plenty of light you can play "Twilight" rounds, early evening Tee times take the heat out of your game!!

If you stay at a hotel on a golf resort a short drive from the beach you can enjoy the best of both worlds golf and beach plus soak up the atmosphere of a fabulous 4 or 5 star resort at a special price.

The La Finca Golf & Spa Resort is a luxury 5 star resort located in Algorfa very close to the coast of Torrevieja, Alicante. Set amongst lemon groves with a mountain back drop this is a very natural beautiful environment.  Moreover, it is close to Torrevieja center and 10 mins by car from some of the best beaches on mainland Spain.

La Finca Golf & Spa Resort, has 3 Golf Courses and a Spa with a health and wellness centre . The rooms are modern, spacious and bright.
It is a hotel perfect for a family vacation or a romantic getaway and also ideal to organize events, celebrations and weddings.

 The 117 rooms and suites with a modern and luminous design have been carefully decorated and completely equipped with all the amenities and technology that you can expect from a hotel of this category. The hotel also offers a golf academy with a selection of different courses for all ages and abilities and an 800 square metres spa with the latest health, beauty and well being treatments, as well as personalised treatments for golfers. With an excellent fine cuisine, beautiful outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and 10 minutes by car from the coast you can be sure of a relaxing stay and a remarkable 5 star service.

Check out prices on our web site: http://solgolfvacations.com/golf-packages/la-finca-golf-a-spa-resort

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Liz Young and Holly Aitchison launch National Golf Month in the UK

 
 LET
player Liz Young from Hampshire, Project Director Douglas Poole and LET
player Holly Aitchison from Bedfordshire at the launch at Playgolf
London.
The first ever National Golf Month (NGM) promotion was launched onWednesday, with Liz Young and Holly Aitchison, two rising British stars from the Ladies European Tour (LET), at Playgolf London. National Golf Month is an amazing event where all the leading golf companies and associations in the UK are joining together to get golf growing again! The aim is to get an extra 100,000 lapsed or new golfers playing golf in May 2014.

Whether you’re a regular golfer who wants to brush up on your skills or you’re keen to introduce a friend to golf then this is the time to get involved. From thousands of fantastic offers, free rounds and
lessons there will be something for everyone to enjoy. It all kicks off in May.
Simply log onto: http://www.nationalgolfmonth.com/ to make the most of all the great offers available.

All golf clubs, driving ranges and PGA professionals can load their special offers onto the website and there will be a huge media campaign combining radio, magazine and social media.

Ladies European Tour golfer Charley Hull is an ambassador of the campaign along with Sir Nick Faldo and Padraig Harrington.





Ladies European Tour (LET) - Liz Young and Holly Aitchison launch National Golf Month in the UK

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Charley Hull: watch the documentary on BBC1

 

Watch behind-the-scenes footage of Charley Hull in an upcoming BBC
documentary to get a closer look at The European Solheim Cup player’s
life on and off the course.

With contributions from family, including father Dave, friends,
rivals and famous fans such as Laura Davies, the most successful British
female golfer of all time with four majors, and Tony Jacklin, a close
friend and two time major champion, the programme looks at how the last
12 months have catapulted the teenager into a global sports star. It
charts her progress from being Rolex Rookie of the Year on the 2013
Ladies European Tour to winning her first tournament at the 2014 Lalla
Meryem Cup in Morocco the week before her 18^th birthday and
then playing in the first major of the year, the Kraft Nabisco
Championship in California, an event she nearly won. Currently leading
the LET’s ISPS HANDA Order of Merit, her drive and focus in becoming
world number one is clear as is the love, support and sacrifice of her
family.

Watch Charley Hull on Easter Sunday, 20 April at 16:30 BST on BBC One East followed immediately on BBC iPlayer. BBC One East is available on Sky Channel 982/983.
Available to UK viewers only.

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Charley Hull: watch the documentary on BBC1

Tickets On Sale - ISPS HANDA Ladies Masters

 

Tickets for the LET’s showcase tournament are now on sale with early bird prices until midnight BST on Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Kids under 16 go FREE when accompanied by an adult.
Buy here now: http://tickets.sky.com/Golf/
Now in its third year, the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters is one of the summer’s best sporting and social events set within the perfect setting of the beautiful Buckinghamshire Golf Club in Denham, on the outskirts of west London. This is the international headquarters of the Ladies European Tour. See the world’s best women golfers, including a host of Europe’s victorious Solheim Cup team members compete in a stunning natural environment, which is easily accessible from the capital. In addition to the first class sporting action, there is a host of fun entertainment providing a big day out for all the family in a festival-like atmosphere. Visitor activities include free golf lessons with PGA Tour professionals within the PING Swing Zone, as well as taster sessions where kids can have fun experiencing SNAG golf, a premier learning system containing age appropriate equipment to teach the game of golf.  This is an opportunity to meet the stars of the game in an open and welcoming environment. Come and enjoy Pimm’s out on the lawn with some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream among other treats.
There will be entertainment for people of all ages throughout the week so keep an eye out on the official website www.ladieseuropeanmasters.com for further updates.
Watch the world’s best women golfers at Buckinghamshire Golf Club on 3-6 July.
Address:
Buckinghamshire Golf Club
Denham Court Drive, Denham, Buckinghamshire. UB9 5PG.
Telephone: 01895 831028.
By Road: The club is conveniently located just off Junction 1 of the M40. There is NO on site public parking available apart from blue badge holders.  All public are asked to follow signs to the FREE Park & Ride service which will be in operation from 3rd to 6th July. The Park & Ride is located just off Swakeley’s Roundabout on the A40. The postcode is UB8 1ES. 
Public transport: The exit from Denham Train Station is just behind the 15^th green with direct access to the course and clubhouse.

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Pablo Larrazabal Attacked By Giant Hornets

Pablo Larrazabal from Spain had the shock of his life at the Malaysian Open, he was playing the 14th when out of no where he was atatcked by a swarm of hornets. The 30 year old professional golfer from Barcelona was seen running away from te angry swarm, unable to shake them off he dived into the lake and took cover under the water.

 
  He later told reporters that they were 3 times the size of bees!! He said about 30 or 40 of them started to attack him and his caddy told him to run, so he ran like a crazy guy  but they kept chasing so  some of the other players shouted at him to jump in the lake.

After a visit with the doctor and a couple of injections he continued with his game. Larrazabal won the Abu Dhabi Championship in January ahead of Rory and Phil Mickleson.

The Green Jacket Earns Bubba slot Number 4 In World Rankings

Winning the green jacket at last weeks Masters has shot Bubba Watson up the world rankings from 12th  and into 4th place.

 

With his second Masters in the space of 3 years he carded a final round of 69 at Augusta to beat Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt by 3 shots.

Tiger Woods missed his first ever Masters becuase of back surgery but remians top of the rankings after Adam Scott, Stenson and Day failed to achieve high place finishes.

British Amateur Champion Turns Professional

 

Garrick Porteous the 24 year old British Amateur Champion has turned professional. He delared the Masters in Augusta was his last ever event as an amateur. He earned an invitation to the Augusta National after winning at Royal Cinque Ports last year.

He will make his debut as a professional in Kuala Lumpur at the Maybank Malaysian Open which kicks off on Thursday.

Ar Augusta he played in the company of the two time major winner and 2012 Ryder Captain Jose Maria Olazabal and American Lucas Glover. Unfortunately not making the cut with rounds of 76 and 80 he called it a day after the second round.

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Carin Koch Named 2015 European Solheim Cup Team Captain

 
 Carin Koch has been appointed as the Captain of the European Solheim Cup team that will attempt to secure a third straight victory against the United States of America in the 2015 match at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Germany.

The Swede will attempt to retain the trophy after Europe’s emphatic 18-10 victory at Colorado Golf Club in 2013, when Europe earned an historic first win in the United States.

After consecutive European successes in 2011 at Killeen Castle and in 2013 in Colorado, Koch will seek to complete an unprecedented hat-trick of wins when the matches take place on September 18-20, 2015.

“I am extremely delighted and honoured to captain the 2015 Solheim Cup team,” said Koch. “Being vice-captain to Lotta (Neumann) in 2013 I once again experienced the thrill of The Solheim Cup matches which are unlike any other tournament in professional golf. I cannot wait to stand
with the team on the first tee next September to start our quest for the hat-trick of wins against the US team.  I look forward to working with the German team at Golf Club St.Leon-Rot for the next year and a half to put on the best Solheim Cup ever!”

Koch played in four successive Solheim Cup matches between 2000 and 2005, earning 11 ½ points with a 10-3-3 win-loss-draw record and was instrumental in Europe’s 2000 victory, holing the winning putt at Loch Lomond in Scotland. She was also a member of the victorious team that
won at Barsebäck G&CC on her home soil in Sweden in 2003.

After twice playing on the winning side, Koch was also part of the 2013 victory as a vice-captain to Liselotte Neumann when Europe successfully retained The Cup for the first time last August.

In addition to her Solheim Cup successes, Koch captained the European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team in Illinois in 2009 and has three international tournament victories: the 2000 Chrysler Open, 2001 LPGA Corning Classic and 2005 Corona Morelia Championship. She also won the
2000 TSN Ladies World Cup of Golf, which was a team event on the Ladies European Tour.

“I’m very pleased Carin Koch has been chosen as captain of the 2015 European Solheim Cup team,” said John Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “Her experience as a player speaks for itself, having won several times around the world. She’s been a standout on four Solheim Cup teams while
compiling a 10-3-3 record. I’ll always remember her jubilant reaction after making the Cup-clinching putt at Loch Lomond in 2000. It captured the spirit of what the event is all about. She’ll be a tremendous leader as the European team seeks its third straight Solheim Cup victory.”

Ladies European Tour chief executive officer Ivan Khodabakhsh congratulated Koch on her appointment. “We are delighted that Carin has accepted the invitation to lead the European Solheim Cup team as she is a fantastic representative of European golf and her passion and experience of the event will transfer to her being an excellent and inspiring Captain. The next edition at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot is going to be very special and we are all working hard to deliver the biggest and best ever Solheim Cup in Germany in 2015.”Koch wasted little time in naming one of her vice-captains. At a press conference in Frankfurt, she announced that she has chosen her long-time friend and former European Solheim Cup teammate, Annika Sorenstam, to help lead the team in Germany.

Sorenstam and Koch were successful foursomes and four-ball partners in The 2002 Solheim Cup and also won their foursomes match together in 2003.Sorenstam, the former World No.1, with 89 worldwide career victories including 10 major championships, was an eight-time Solheim Cup player
and has been a vice-captain in the last two successful Solheim Cup campaigns for Europe. As well as being a vice-captain at Killeen Castle in 2011, Sorenstam worked together with Koch as a vice-captain under Liselotte Neumann for the 2013 match in Colorado which resulted in Europe’s first back-to-back victory and first win on US soil.

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Carin Koch Named 2015 European Solheim Cup Team Captain

The Masters 2014

The 2014 Masters has to be one of the most wide open fields in a long time. As we head into the final day that makes our enjoyment and viewing as exciting as it gets.

We all have our favourites and maybe the young pretender has stolen a few hearts so lets see just who might triumph at the end of the day. The Augusta National Club may seperate the men from the boys on this final day but for now this is how the field looks.

Bubba Watson is 5 under and surely is considered the favourite despite some eratic putting on Saturday. He is such a volatile player that one bad chip, putt or drive could herald a meltdown lets see how he appears today!



Jordan Spieth also 5 under, this 20 year old could be the youngest player to win a major since Tom
Creavy won the PGA Championship at 20 in 1931, he is also only the 5th Rookie to hold the 54 hole lead. Hailing Mr Nicklaus and Mr Crenshaw as his tutors you can only marvel at his confidence on this golfing world stage.



Matt Kuchar 4 under, he came so close the last couple of years with a 3rd place and an 8th place. Last week in Houston at the 18th he needed to hit green from the fairway and a 2 shot putt instead he blew it and hit the water then went on to loose the play off! He will neeed to stay completely focused to pull a win out of the bag!



Jonas Blixt also 4 under with all the rookie talk being about Jordan we are forgetting just how well this first timer has played.His first 2 majors at the end of 2013 saw him 26th and 4th and he ist trying to put Rurope on the map at a Masters.



 Miguel Angel Jimanez 3 under. Although he has won 20 times on the European Tour he has never managed a Masters triumph! Although landed himself in the top 10 in 4 of them his huge personality and love of the spot light keeps his profile high.

Masters Week - Lee Westwood the nearly-man of golf?

 As the Masters approaches one  man has been so near and yet so far from victory in this prestigious event and the chance to wear the coverted green jacket  slipped away from hism last year leaving him in a tie for 3rd place. Lee Westwood now lives in the  golfing paradise of  southern Florida . The last 12 months have been difficult and in spite of leading The Open at Muirfield last summer with 12 holes to play.  His world ranking has spiralled downwards at an alarming rate and he has missed the cut twice already this year.

He recalls a moment of frustration last month when his six iron found a sand trap on the seventh fairway at the prestigious WGC Cadillac Championships,

‘I threw the club out of sheer frustration and it helicoptered down the fairway,’  he said. His caddie Billy Foster looked at him, then said with a shrill voice: ‘Oooooh!’ However his anger instantly died down at the sarcasm of his friend and trusted caddie. He said ‘If my 12 year old son Sam had done that I would have told him off.’

Yet the point of the story is a revealing one. It illustrates that Westwood, who is approaching his 64th major championship at the Masters this week with a record that when judged against the cold, heartless statistics of history, labels him the nearly-man of golf, is still passionate about finding the elusive victory he craves.

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Pace creates history

 

Lee-Anne Pace became the first female golfer to win outright the prestigious Golfer of the Year in her home country of South Africa. Compleat Golfer hosted the 22^nd edition of its Annual Awards Dinner at Country Club Johannesburg earlier this week. Pace shared the 2010 award with Louis Oosthuizen, who had won the Open Championship, however this was the first time she took home the award outright.   She also picked up the WPGA (female) Golfer of theYear for the fourth straight year, 2013 was another stellar season for the Pearl Valley golfer, she was the only player to win three titles on the LET in 2013 taking her career total to an impressive 8 wins. She won the Turkish Ladies Open in May, The Open de Espana in July and the Sanya Ladies Open in China later in the year in October.

She notched six additional top ten finishes – including a second place at the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open.  She  ended the year ranked second on the ISPS HANDA Order of Merit with season’s earnings of   €250,927.42, behind Suzann Pettersen.

The affable player was also voted as the ‘Player’s Player of the Year by her fellow professional  golfers on the Ladies European Tour for the second time, three years after last winning this award in 2010. The 33-year-old was honoured to have won the award. Speaking from first major of the year, the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Palm Springs,California, the Pearl Valley Golfer said:

 “I feel very honoured to have won the Golfer of the Year award.” “I want to thank the    Compleat Golfer for holding the awards each year, they are fantastic supporters of all   golfers at home and I certainly appreciate everything that they do, particularly for women players.”

WPGA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE, GENERATION NEXT RETURN FOR SUFFOLK SHOWDOWN

Golfing stars of the future will return to Stoke by Nayland later in the year to contest the WPGA International Challenge. Hannah Ralph won the inaugural tournament 12 months ago and organisers expect another strong field with a minimum prize fund of €30,000 at stake in the tournament which will be staged from October 16-18.

The 54-hole event is part of the Ladies European Tour Access Series (LETAS) and was launched last year by The PGA to increase support of the women’s game. It will be the only LETAS event to
be staged in the UK in 2014 and there will be 108 competitors including 15 WPGA members, comprising winners from the WPGA’s One Day Series and the remainin places secured via a qualifying Order of Merit over the same period.

In a boost for leading amateurs, 15 places have also been earmarked for England Golf, recognising LETAS’s commitment to providing an important link between elite amateur and professional golf.

The tournament will conclude a busy year for the Suffolk resort of Stoke by Nayland whose Gainsborough course is also hosting the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship in June.

Di Barnard, tour director of the LET Access Series said: “We are delighted the 2014 WPGA International Challenge will be played at Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf and Spa. “The event receives great support from the PGA and England Golf and is a very important stop on the LETAS schedule, as a large part of the membership hails from the UK.

“The Gainsborough course at Stoke by Nayland is a wonderful test for the players and we look forward to welcomin everyone to the tournament in October.”

PGA head of tournaments, Simon Higginbottom, commented: “The Access Tour offers an invaluable opportunity for aspiring pros looking to break through to the top level of golf and after the success of last year we’re delighted to be returning to Stoke by Nayland.

“The event is also a high quality playing opportunity to members of the WPGA and this is something that we strive to do.”

The opportunity for England’s leading women amateurs to get valuable experience has been praised by Nigel Edwards, performance director at England Golf.

He said: “England Golf is delighted to be a partner with the LET Access Tour. The Access Tour provides a valuable opportunity for our top players as they progress from their amateur career by
providing entry to competitive professional events.”

- See more at:
http://www.fairwayladies.it/wpga-international-challenge-generation-next-return-for-suffolk-showdown/#sthash.8gnSEr4E.dpuf

WPGA INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE, GENERATION NEXT RETURN FOR SUFFOLK SHOWDOWN

LPGA ANNOUNCES NEW ROLEX ANNIKA MAJOR AWARD

 

Award will recognize LPGA player who
performs the best in all five Major Championships

Annika Sorenstam, a golf legend
synonymous with major championship

excellence, will now have her name
attached to an award honoring the LPGA’s best major performer each season. The
LPGA and Rolex announced the new Rolex ANNIKA Major Award at a press conference
on the eve of the 2014 season’s first major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

“Our goal with everything we do is
to elevate women’s golf and the LPGA,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan.
“The major championships are the biggest stage we have and we’re proud to
partner with Rolex and Annika to create this award which will celebrate the
accomplishments of the year’s top major performer, now and in years to come.
And who better than Annika

Sorenstam to represent the best in
performances, at the biggest events.”

The Rolex ANNIKA Major Award will
recognize the player who, during a current LPGA Tour season, has the most
outstanding

record in all five major
championships. Points will be awarded at all five major championships to
competitors who finish among the top-10 and ties. To take home the award, a
player must also win at least one of the five majors.

The winner of the Rolex ANNIKA Major
Award will be announced in a ceremony at the Evian Championship, wrapping up
what promises to be an exciting season of majors in 2014.

“Rolex began its association with
women’s golf in 1980,” said Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communication and Image
for Rolex. “Since that time, Rolex has forged successful partnerships with the
LPGA, USGA (U.S. Women’s Open), and LGU (RICOH British Open). The establishment
of the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award aligns perfectly with our philosophy of
rewarding exceptional achievement. Beginning in 2014 Rolex looks forward to
recognizing the best player across the five Majors and celebrating their
accomplishment each year at the Evian Championship.”

The Rolex ANNIKA Major Award is
named in honor of the aforementioned Sorenstam, a 10-time major champion who
completed the career grand slam in 2003. Her 10 majors are part of a Hall of
Fame career which includes 72 wins on the LPGA Tour and 89 victories worldwide.

“I have always felt performances in
major championships define players’ careers,” Sorenstam said. “To establish
this prestigious award with both my longtime partner, Rolex, and the LPGA is a
tremendous honor.”

At the press conference to announce
the award on Wednesday, two

winners of 2013 majors – Inbee Park
(Kraft Nabisco Championship, U.S. Women’s Open, Wegmans LPGA Championship) and
Stacy Lewis (RICOH Women’s British Open)– joined Sorenstam on stage to discuss
the creation of the new award.

“Majors are so important to me and
consistency is something I value,” said Lewis, a two-time major winner. “This
new award addresses both and being the first recipient of the award would be a
huge honor.  I hope to win it.”

The 2014 major season gets underway
with the Kraft Nabisco Championship beginning tomorrow, April 3.

Point Structure for Rolex ANNIKA
Major Award

1st place – 60 pts.; 2nd place – 24
pts.; 3rd place – 18 pts.; 4th place – 14 pts.; 5th place – 12 pts.; 6th place
– 10 pts.; 7th place – 8 pts.; 8th place – 6 pts.; 9th place – 4 pts.; 10th
place – 2 pts.

Note: This is the same point
allocation used at the Major Championships for the Player of the Year Award

Annika Sorenstam’s Major
Championship Victories

1995 U.S. Women’s Open

1996 U.S. Women’s Open

2001 Kraft Nabisco Championship

2002 Kraft Nabisco Championship

2003 Wegmans LPGA Championship

2003 RICOH Women’s British Open

2004 Wegmans LPGA Championship

2005 Wegmans LPGA Championship

2005 Kraft Nabisco Championship

2006 U.S. Women’s Open

During her 15-year Hall of Fame
career, Annika Sorenstam amassed 89 worldwide victories, including 72 on the
LPGA, ten of which are major championships. She has a record eight Rolex Player
of the Year awards and holds the LPGA record for the lowest scoring average in
a season (68.6969 in 2004).

- See more at:
http://www.fairwayladies.it/lpga-announces-new-rolex-annika-major-award/#sthash.iITN5Kkr.dpuf

 LPGA ANNOUNCES NEW ROLEX ANNIKA MAJOR AWARD