207 Noticias
2/12/10
06:02
Página 6
Winners of the European Father and Son Golf Championship.
PGA Father and Son duo from Luxembourg win European Father and Son Golf Ch’p Sporting fabulous matching trousers Senior PGA golf professional John Pickford (51) and his assistant professional Michael (21) have just become the Father and Son Golf Champions of Europe! The championship was held at the excellent El Rompido Golf Resort on the Costa de la Luz, Huelva. Over 180 father and sons came to win, with the strongest field ever seen and many professionals competing, alongside scratch and plus-handicap amateurs. As the reputation of the event grows so does the quality of the field. The event is a two ball better ball stableford format held over 54 holes. The Pickfords shot 14 under, scoring 41, 37, 44 for a 121 total to win the event by two shots over their closet rivals the current US Father and Son Champions, the Carpenters from Maryland. They closed the event like true champions by saving their best golf to last by closing with a 8-under final day 44 points. Young Michael pitched from 60 yards to four feet for an easy birdie, but did’nt need it for a grandstand finish in front of the crowd as dad John equally knocked in a five-foot putt for birdie after an impressive chip from under the trees to the side of the green. John has been director of Golf of Kikuoka Country Club in Luxembourg for over 20 years. Michael, past Malaysian junior champion, mult ilingual-speaking French, German, Luxembourgish and English, has just completed a PGA course at Marple Golf Club in Stockport, returning home to complete his apprenticeship with his dad in Luxembourg. Michael said “ We were four-under through nine and I thought we were looking good, until I came down the last and someone said we were only one in front as someone had posted a 10-under score!” “No words to describe it, its great, playing with your dad, its unbelievable.” John said “this is the best event I
have ever played in. I have played in the World Cup but this tops it for me, it’s the best. The crowd around the 18th really made it special.” The victory was an emotional one, as Johns Mother walked the course during the whole week after the sudden loss of her husband last May. The win was a real family effort. The Pickfords have won a free invitation to come back and defend their title for 2011 and also won a holiday invitation to play in the US Father and Son Golf Championship next July in South Carolina USA.
Golf Loyalty Players – “laCala&You” Autumn Greensomes The perilous economics of the past few years have resulted in troubled times for companies in every industry. The leisure sector including golf is not immune. With the growth in the number of golfers remaining flat while new golf course construction has continued apace, golf clubs are turning to loyalty promotions to capture a bigger portion of frequent golfers. To compete in such a golfer’s market, public courses worldwide are turning to nascent loyalty
programmes to entice new golfers and keep existing clients happy. Offers include special rates, free buggies or events. Email campaigns are becoming more frequent. Over the past 20 years La Cala Resort has developed into the biggest golf and leisure destination in Spain with three 18-hole courses and Spain's only David Leadbetter Golf Academy. The resort is located in the heart of the Costa del Sol between Marbella and Mijas and only 30 minutes from Málaga airport. The resort’s “laCala&You” affinity card offers nonresidents an opportunity to sample the facilities. The programme was launched in May 2007 and is open to anyone over 18 years who completes an application form at the resort or via the website. There are now over 2,500 members of the “laCala&You” scheme from 22 countries. The programme offers a range of benefits to its cardholders, including hotel discounts, golf packages, free spa thermal circuits, free buggies and hotel restaurant discounts. There are also exclusive competitions and events for members. Around 500 players take part each year in “laCala&You” competitions. The latest competition was the laCala&You Autumn greensomes which took place in October on Campo Asia. The competition was held in the greensomes (stableford) format and the general reaction of the competitors was extremely positive. In particular, the cardholders enjoyed the opportunity to meet and develop friendships that can be renewed on an annual basis at subsequent events. “laCala&You Autumn Greensomes” Results: 1. Adela Martínez Reche & Juan Manuel Martínez Del Valle 40 Pts (Net) 2. Emilio Pérez Martínez & Cristina García Holtzmann 36 Pts (Net) 3. Pedro Torregrosa Martínez & Francisco Escalona Cals 33 Pts (Net) Special Prize: David Bridge Next competition: “laCala&You” Christmas Open on December 19th.
Contestans in the laCala&You Autumm Greensomes. Andalucía Golf / España Golf
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