G B AND I SQUAD WIN WARM-UP MATCH IN MASSACHUSETTS

Courtesy of COLIN FARQUHARSON TEL AND FAX 01224 869782

Mary McKenna’s Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team scored a 6-2 victory today (Friday) over a men’s select team from Longmeadow Country Club, Massachusetts where the team have been practising this week before they can switch to the match venue, Essex County Club, at the weekend.
The three-day Curtis Cup match against the United States starts on Friday, June 11.
All the games in the pracentice match were played to a finish over 18 holes. Great Britain and Ireland made a 4-0 clean sweep of the morning foursomes but the Longmeadow select, playing a format more familiar to them, shared the afternoon four-balls 2-2.
Results:
LONGMEAD CC MEN 2, GB AND IRELAND 6
Morning foursomes (0-4)
(Longmead names first):
Peter Alminas and Mike Ryan lost to Danielle McVeigh and Pamela Pretswell by four holes.
Flynt Lincoln and Darren Dawson lost to Lisa Maguire and Leona Maguire by four holes.
Joe Brosseau and Bill Cunningham junior lost to Sally Watson and Rachel Jennings by nine holes.
Paul Chiampa and Mark Mitchell lost to Hannah Barwood and Holly Clyburn by five holes.

Afternoon four-balls (2-2)
Greg Fisk and Jeff Anderson lost to McVeigh and Leona Maguire by five holes.
Tim Tunstall and Brian J Fitzgerald bt Watson and Clyburn by five holes.
Dave Fontaine junior and Brian D Fitzgerald lost to Jennings and Barwood by one hole.
Pat Pio and Joe Henley bt Pretswell and Lisa Maguire by one hole..

Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival

The entry deadline for the six events that make up the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival has been extended to January 22nd 2009
The events, open to lady professionals and amateurs up to a maximum handicap of 20, are:
February 12-13: Murcia Ladies Open (36 holes) & Murcia Under-16 Girls' Open (36 holes).
February 14: St Valentine's Day pro-am (18 holes).
February 15: Costa Calida Pairs (18 holes).
February 16-17: Hacienda del Alamo Ladies Open (36 holes) & Hacienda del Alamo Under-16 Girls' Open (36 holes).

If you would like to enter or want more information email Colin Farquharson

LGU endorses Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort February Festival

The 2nd Hacienda del Alamo February Festival is being endorsed by the Ladies Golf Union.
The entry form for the four events over six days programme - Thursday, February 12 to Tuesday, February 17 - are being highlighted on the LGU website.
Fraser Munro, the LGU's Championship Manager, who visited the resort earlier this year and was highly impressed with the resort's facilities, says: "I was really impressed by the course and the quality of the practice facilities. For me there would be no better way to prepare for the new season than by spending a week or two at Hacienda de Alamo."
One important change for the 2009 Festival is that we have opened up the Saturday-Sunday events to allow MALES to enter the St Valentine's Day pro-am and the Costa Calida Pairs.
This is to encourage competitors to be accompanied by their husbands, partners or boyfriends, who will be able to share in the weekend action.
The two main events - the 36-hole Murcia Ladies Open (Thursday-Friday) and the 36-hole Hacienda Ladies Open (Monday-Tuesday) remain ladies/girls only.
Every competitor, whether they are playing in all four events or just one, is entitled to a free practice round over the Dave Thomas-designed championship course, which this week is hosting the Scottish Senior Golfing Society's Spanish Festival (switch over to http://www.scottishgolfview.com/ to see daily reports).
There is NO minimum or maximum age limit. All we ask is that the players have a handicap of 20 or less when they are competing in the Festival.
Any queries or you want an entry form E-mailed direct to you? E-mail Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com

2009 Hacienda del Alamo Winter Festival

Time to start thinking seriously about the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Winter Festival
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
Tel and fax 01224 869782
Aberdeen, Scotland

Only six months and a bit to go to the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival with its streamlined programme of four events over a long weekend (February 11 to 17).
Have you made up your mind about coming back if you enjoyed the inaugural event - which I am sure you did - or are you going to come for the first time with some friends?
You will find all the details if you click on the appropriate FESTIVAL words at the top of the left hand column on the Home Page of www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk
There are separate prize lists for:
*Lady amateur golfers with handicaps of 20 or under.
*Girl golfers with handicaps of 20 or under.
*Senior lady golfers with handicaps of or under.
*Lady professional golfers (who can take a party of female club members with them and coach them at the five-star HDA practice facilities if they wish).
If lady golfers want to go to Hacienda del Alamo with a male partner/husband/son, then they will be allowed to play over the Dave Thomas-designed course at a reduced rate when tee times are available. And males are welcome to join the ladies for the St Valentine's Day pro-am on the Saturday.
If you are looking for accommodation at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, here's some news from one of the villa owners: Phil Eastham ---- We have a villa at Hacienda available to rent. http://www.spainvillasandgolf.com/ is our web site.
Why not email : phil.eastham@dsl.pipex.com
Message from Colin:
I fully expect us to double the inaugural HDA Festival entry figures of 13 lady professionals and 44 lady/girl amateurs. We may have to cap the field at around the 100 mark because there is a limit to the amount of daylight, even in southern Spain in mid-February.
It will be first come, first served. So, to avoid disappointment, enter now and let the others do the worrying.
Colin Farquharson , Festival Controller

SCOTTISH WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - KYLIE LOSES IN THE SEMI FINALS

QUARTER-FINALS
JOCELYN CARTHEW (Ladybank) beat SAMMY VASS (Tain) 2 and 1.
Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) beat Jane Turner (Mortonhall) at 22nd hole.
LAURA MURRAY (Alford) beat CLARE-MARIE CARLTON (Fereneze) 3 and 1.
MICHELE THOMSON (McDonald Ellon) beat LOUISE KENNEY (Pitreavie) 3 and 2.

SEMI-FINALS
Carthew beat Walker 3 and 1.
Thomson beat Murray at 20th.

CLARK ROSEBOWL RESULTS
SEMI-FINALS
H Anderson (Downfield) bt B Murphy (Mortonhall) at 20th.
S Jackson (Ladybank) bt T Laughland (Mortonhall) 2 holes.
FINAL
Jackson beat Anderson 4 and 3.

Report from Colin Farquharson

Jocelyn Carthew has put her home club Ladybank in the golfing spotlight by reaching Saturday morning's (9am) 18-hole final of the Scottish women's amateur championship over the Moray Golf Club Old Course links at Lossiemouth.

Now the 30-year-old Glasgwegian, who lives in Kirkcaldy and works in a stable-construction business in Cupar, will be pulling out all the stops to put her own name in the record books alongside legends like Jessie Valentine by beating 20-year-old Michele Thomson, a full-time amateur golfer from Ellon, Aberdeenshire and one of four Scots in the GB&I team to play the United States in the Curtis Cup match over the Old Course, St Andrews at the end of the month.

"I'm playing well. I just have to do it one more time. I was two or three under par in beating Kylie Walker in the semi-final, so that kind of form must give me a chance," said Jocelyn, who did not take up golf until the age of 16 even though her dad Oliver was professional at Crow Wood Golf Club.

Although Thomson had to claw her way back from four down after eight holes before prevailing over Aberdeenshire rival Laura Murray (Alford) at the 20th hole in the other semi-final, Michele will start the clear favourite for the title.

Thomson, who lost in the semi-finals last year, is the 10th seed and her opponent was 25th of the 32 qualifiers for the match-play stages at Lossiemouth

Long-hitting power player Michele has +1 of a handicap; Jocelyn, a more delicate touch player, has one of a handicap and has never got past the second round of the "Scottish" before. She has never won the Fife county championship and never been picked for Scotland. Michele is a seasoned international who has stepped up to Great Britain & Ireland level.

But Carthew is playing well above her expectations this week.

She started the penultimate day of the 94th national championship by winning 2 and 1 against 16-year-old Sammy Vass (Tain), who claimed the scalp of the No 1 seed, Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) in the first round.
Then Carthew beat the No 5 seed, Kylie Walker (Buchanan Castle) by 3 and 1 to reach the final for the first time.
Kylie Walker had to go to the 22nd hole in morning quarter-finals to take the measure of Craigielaw teenager Jane Turner.
Whether that sapped her energy or not, Kylie birdied the 10th to get back to all square with Jocelyn – and then sagged.
Kylie Walker lost the 11th, 12th and 13th and there was no way back for her after that.
Against Thomson, Laura Murray had a fantastic start. She birdied the first five holes and seven of the first eight holes to be four up and firmly in the driving seat.
"Laura was playing brilliantly at that stage. I just had to make sure I kept my head up and play the best I could to turn the match my way," said Michele.

And turn her way it did. She won the ninth with a par, the 11th with a birdie, the 16th with a par and the 17th with a par. Murray's flow of birdies had dried up just when she needed some more.
But Laura did stage wonderful 40yd bunker shot under severe pressure to halve the 18th in bogeys but her luck ran out when she was in another bunker off the tee at the 20th and ran up a bogey 6 which ended her best ever run in the championship.
"Pity my father is in Dubai and can't make it time. He has helped me so much to get me where I am," said Michele.
"But there's still a hard match in the final to come. So I'm not counting my chickens yet."
There was an encouraging omen for Jocelyn Carthew, when Ladybank clubmate, 18-year-old Susan Jackson won the championship's No 2 competition, the Clark Rosebowl. She beat senior player Heather Anderson (Downfield) by 4 and 3 in the final after being three up on the eighth tee.

Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood and Colin Farquharson for this report

2009 HACIENDO DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTERGOLF FESTIVAL

The 2nd HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTERGOLF FESTIVAL
FOUR TOURNAMENTS OVER SIX DAYS

Open to lady professionals and Silver Division lady amateurs

   To be played at the five-star Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, Murcia,

                                         South-east Spain.

PROGRAMME

Wednesday, February 11: Free practice round over championship course.

1: Thursday-Friday, February 12-13: MURCIA LADIES OPEN (36 holes stroke-play)

2: Saturday, February 14: HACIENDA DEL ALAMO Pro-am (lady pros & teams of three amateurs, male or female, over 18 holes.

3: Sunday, February 15: COSTA CALIDA PAIRS competition (first nine holes alternate shot, second nine holes better ball).

4: Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17: HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN (36 holes stroke-play).

FIVE-STAR PRACTICE FACILITIES

Hacienda del Alamo has five-star practice facilities: two big practice putting greens, big chipping/pitching green, bunker practice facility, 36-bay two-tier driving range, six-hole Academy course.

You can arrive early and practise …. And you can stay on and practise even more.

HOW TO ENTER

Entry forms available by E-mailing Festival Director COLIN FARQUHARSON (Colin@scottishgolfview.com) or by downloading them from www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk

There are separate entry fees for each event but you do not have to play in them all.

MIDWEEK FLIGHTS

The 2009 Festival is being spread over a long weekend in response to suggestions made by players who took part in the inaugural Festival. They felt it would be much cheaper to fly to Spain in midweek.

Murcia Airport is less than 30min away from Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.

Alicante Airport is more than 75min away.

HOW TO RENT A VILLA

Quotes for rental of villas at Hacienda del Alamo (the more players who share a villa, the cheaper it becomes) are available from SUE GARDINER of HM Rentals by E-mailing her at sue@hmrental.com Log on to her website for details at: www.hmrental.com

 

SWING IN THE SPANISH SUN IN MID-FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR

Haciendo Del Alamo Women's Winter Festival now has a Silver (Division) Lining

Just to keep you up to speed with the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival.
I have had some feedback that the handicap limit of nine was stopping some ladies coming in groups with their friends because not all of them had as low a handicap as that.
With that in mind, I have raised the handicap limit to 20, i.e. Silver Division players only as well as Lady Professionals.
To Read all about it click on this link Alamo Winter Festival
Regards
Colin Farquharson
Tournament Controller

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.

Message from Colin Farquharson

Carol,
I hear on the grapevine that we may be getting a group of Welsh seniors at the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival (Feb 10 to 23).
Are there enough single-figure handicappers in the West Vets' ranks to mount some opposition? Click on the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival link to read all about the fantastic golfing holiday you can go on

LATEST NEWS:- Haciendo Del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival

Six competitions at one venue over two weeks
HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL, Murcia, Spain February 10-23
LATEST NEWS:
Message from Clare Queen (The Carrick at Cameron House), leading home-based Scot in the 2007 Ladies European Tour money table (41st with 49,169 Euros)
Hi Colin,
Not sure if I will be able to manage this time. I plan to go to Australia and at the moment wouldn't return until the 13th of February. However, I may be able to play the second week. Will let you know if I can. Good luck with the Festival.
Clare Queen
If you want details of how to enter and where to stay at the Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival (rememember two separate prize lists: cash for the Lady Professionals; vouchers for the Lady Amateurs, maximum handicap (9), E-mail Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at colin@scottishgolfview.com
Remember Budget airline prices can go up every week. Don't delay. Enter now. Book your accommodation and your flights.
For all other details go to Haciendo Del Almino --- More Info and to read about the initial advert about the Golf Winter Festival go to Winter Golf Festival at Haciendo Del Almino

Haciendo Del Almino Womens Winter Festival -- More Infornation

Colin Farquharson (Tournament Controller) is starting to get feedback from those interested in participating in the inaugural Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Winter Golf Festival at the five-star Murcia golf resort from February 10 to 23, 2008.
Some of the questions he has been fielding, include:
1 Can a lady professional enter with a group of lady amateurs. Answer: Certainly, as long as the lady amateurs have single-figure handicaps. Getting together as a group to travel and enter cuts down the cost per head of renting a villa at Hacienda del Alamo.
2 Does a competitor have to stay at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort to be able to play in the events. Answer: Not necessarily but those not staying a Hacenda del Alamo would have to rent a car or spend money on daily taxi trips.
3 Is there a minimum or maximum age limit. Answer: Definitely not. We have had an inquiry on behalf of a 12-year-old girl (handicap 2) who would travel with her father. No problem there. The only requirement is a single-figure handicap. Lady senior golfers most welcome.
4 Does a competitor have to play in every event? Answer: No. If anyone wants to practise most of the time - or bask in the Murcia sunshine - and perhaps only play in one event a week, that's OK with us.
5 Can competitors come for only one week? Answer: Yes. First or second week only attendance is OK. But the charge for free use of the practice facilities is 55 Euros whether you stay for one week or two.
6 Can a competitor make the trip with her husband/partner/boyfriend? Answer: Yes. The male could caddie if he wanted to. If he wanted to use the golf facilities, he would have to pay the going rate.
7 Which airlines have flights to Murcia Airport (15min away as opposed to Alicante Airprt, 60min)? Answer: Flybe, Easyjet, Monarch, Jet2.com and Ryanair. Airports of departure include: SCOTLAND: Edinburgh, Prestwick. NORTHERN IRELAND: Belfast. ENGLAND: Birmingham, Blackpool, Bristol, East Midlands, Gatwick, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton. IRELAND: Dublin, Shannon.
8 What’s the approximate all-in cost for one person’s flights, accommodation, practice facilities, tournament entry fees, food and taxis to and from Murcia Airport? Answer:
Very, very difficult to answer that one but an amateur golfer flying from Prestwick could do the fortnight for approximately £482 + food. For a professional from Prestwick, I estimate that £544 + food would cover the fortnight. You could do it for less because these bottom-line figures are based on staying at a Hacienda del Alamo villa for 16 nights.
There is no outward Ryanair flight from Prestwick on Saturday, February 9 which means the player would have to fly on Friday, February 8 if she wanted to utilise Sunday, February 10 as a practice day for the 36-hole event on the Monday-Tuesday.
That would mean booking villa accommodation for 16 nights. Alternatively, the player would fly out on Sunday, February 10 and skip the practice day. This would reduce the villa accommodation to 14 nights if coming home on Sunday, February 24. That would also reduce the overall costs.
Here are the relevant Ryanair flights from Prestwick:

PRESTWICK-MURCIA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Dep Prestwick 16.55, Arr Murcia 20.55. Cost: £49.99

SUNDAY, FEBRURY 9
No Prestwick-Murcia flights.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Dep Prestwick 16.55, Arr Murcia 20.55. Cost £19.99

MURCIA-PRESTWICK

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Dep Murcia 21.20, Arr Prestwick 23.20. Cost £19.99.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Dept Murcia 21.20. Arr Prestwick 23.20. Cost £19.99

ACCOMMODATION AT HACIENDA DEL ALAMO GOLF RESORT
(See http://www.clubmurcia.com/)
1 Bed, 1 Bath Villa: from 35 Euros per day (two adults sharing: 18 Euros each per day).
2 Bed, 2 Bath Villa: from 50 Euros per day (four adults sharing: 13 Euros each per day).
3 Bed, 3 Bath Villa: from 65 Euros per day (six adults sharing: 11 Euros each per day).
4 Bed, 4 Bath Villa: from 100 Euros per day (eight adults sharing: 13 Euros each per day).

If flying to Murcia on Friday, February 8 and returning Sunday, February 24: 16 nights at 50 Euros per night for 2 Bed, 2 Bath villa. Cost 800 Euros (four adults sharing: 200
Euros each),

SUMMARY OF PRECEDING INFO

FLIGHTS: £69.98 or 95 Euros.
ACCOMMODATION: 200 Euros.
RANGE, PRACTICE FEE: 55 Euros.
AMATEUR ENTRY FEES: 305 (for six events)
PROFESSIONAL ENTRY FEES: 390 Euros (for six events)
FOOD: ???

POSSIBLE ALL-IN COST FOR 16 NIGHT STAY (excluding food)

AMATEUR PLAYER: 655 Euros (£482 approx).
PROFESSIONAL: 740 Euros (£544 approx).

If you have any queries you feel would be best answered by the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort staff, there is a toll free telephone number from UK and Ireland: 08000 820000

A brief recap on the Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Winter Festival programme (open to lady professionals and lady amateurs with single-figure handicaps)

SUNDAY, FEB 10. Free practice round over Hacienda del Alamo championship course.
MONDAY, FEB 11. First round of 36-hole stroke-play tournament. Entry fee: professionals – 70 Euros; amateurs – 55 Euros.
TUESDAY, FEB 12. Second round of 36-hole tournament.
WEDNESDAY, FEB 13. Free day. Possibility of 18-hole competition at another course.
THURSDAY, FEB 14. One-round competition. Entry fee: professionals 55 Euros; amateurs: 42 Euros.
FRIDAY, FEB 15. Free day.
SATURDAY, FEB 16. One-round team event (field to include some invited guests).
Entry fee: professionals 70 Euros; amateurs – 55 Euros.
SUNDAY, FEB 17. Free practice round over Hacienda del Alamo championship course.
FEB 18 to 23: Same as first week’s programme.

ADDITIONAL CHARGE
A payment of 55 Euros per head will entitle each competitor to two free practice rounds over the championship course, free balls on the driving range and use of the short-game practice facilities for the 14 days. This one-off charge will be payable at the Tournament Desk when checking in on Sunday, February 10 or Sunday, February 17.

PRIZES.
There will be two prize lists – one for the professionals (cash) and one for the amateurs (vouchers). If enough senior players enter, there will be senior prizes.

ACCOMMODATION
It will be a lot cheaper for an individual if she gets together with fellow-players to make a booking for four, five or six sharing a villa at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
Log on to Club Marcia and scroll down the home page. In the left-hand column you will see HOTELS & RENTALS. Click on “Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort” and you will see the rental accommodation choices.
Alternatively, Rentals and Accomodation Contacts are primary Hacienda del Alamo accommodation contacts
Hacienda del Alamo website. is the general Hacienda del Alamo website
Hacienda del Alamo golf site is the Golf Club.
Hacienda del Alamo’s Golf Desk for E-mails is golfers@hdagolf.com.
The REFERENCE to be quoted when making bookings at competitors’ rates is: MWLT.hda.

NOTIFY ENTRIES BY E-MAIL TO COLIN FARQUHARSON
Notification of entry to tournaments, certainly the 36-hole competitions, should be E-mailed in advance to Tournament Controller, Colin Farquharson at Colin@scottishgolfview.com, giving names of competitors, whether amateur or professional, handicaps where appropriate and contact telephone number.

2008 HACIENDA DEL ALAMO WOMEN'S WINTER GOLF FESTIVAL

OPEN TO LADY PROFESSIONALS & LADY AMATEURS WITH SINGLE-FIGURE HANDICAPS.



February 10 to 23 at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, Murcia, Spain
Hope you can come to Hacienda del Alamo for the above event which offers you a minimum of six competitions plus unlimited use of the five-star golf resort's driving range and short-game facilities for 14 days.
They say that Murcia is the warmest place in Spain during the month of February. I am taking their word for it.
To read all final details with regard to the above event which is planned as a "stepping stone" to the inaugural 2009 Murcia Ladies Open Developmental Tour, open to lady professionals & single-figure lady amateurs, from early January to late February/early March in 2009. CLICK HERE
Details of how to book accommodation at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort for February 10 to 23, 2008 are now included in the attachment which also indicates that the Hacienda del Alamo management are providing free practice rounds, free use of the of short-game practice facilities and free balls on the driving range for a one-off payment of 55 Euros, to be paid when checking in at the Tournament Desk on either the first or second Sunday of the Festival programme.
The payment covers the whole of the programme and is a bargain when one considers what the normal charges are for green fees, range balls and using the practice facilities.
Remember no tournament entry fees have to be paid until you check in at the Tournament Desk but it would be appreciated if competitors could E-mail Tournament Controller Colin Farquharson at Colin@scotttishgolfview.com the date of their arrival at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort.
If you have any queries at any time, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please spread the word among your friends, professional and amateur. Accommodation costs a lot less individually if up to six share a villa. See attachment.
ENTER EARLY TO AVOID BEING DISAPPOINTED
COLIN FARQUHARSON
Tournament Controller
Hacienda del Alamo Women's Golf Festival
February 10-23, 2008