EUROPEAN NEWS
Belfry academy
GOLF PROPERTIES
Open
McEvoy
exemption
goes high-tech
launches new
changes
competition
THE NUMBER of players
THE PGA National Academy manager Matt Roberts said: A COMPETITION ‘Tour’ has from both the 2008 European
at The Belfry has updated its “We can offer every-day been created for single-figure- and PGA Tour orders of merit
custom-fit centre. golfers the same high-tech handicap golfers, culminating who will qualify automatically
The centre is now home facilities as the world’s best in a high-profile showdown for next year’s Open
to five dedicated custom- players, as well as the most up- with a team of professionals Championship has increased
fit rooms, with a choice of to-date clubs on the market.” in October. from 20 to 30.
Callaway, Titleist, Wilson The investment in custom- The SFG Tour will begin The R&A has also made
Staff, TaylorMade, Nike, Ping, fitting technology boosted in March, and each year changes to other exemption
Cleveland, Cobra and Mizuno pro shop sales by 40 per cent regional tournaments will categories; IFQ-Europe at
clubs to choose from. and visitor numbers by 20 per produce ten leading players Sunningdale on 8 June
The launch monitors cent last year compared to to represent the UK SFG will have a smaller field of
and 360-degree cameras 2007. team against the pros. 96 players playing for 10
provide the golfer with all the The number of golfers Single Figure Golfer was places while IFQ-America at
information needed to be receiving tuition has also risen launched at Woodhall Spa Gleneagles Country Club,
fitted correctly for every club to an average of 200 per week, where a team of amateurs, Plano, Texas will be contested
in the bag. and membership renewal is captained by Peter McEvoy, by 78 players in pursuit of
PGA National Academy also on the increase. were beaten 14½-5½ by an eight places.
experienced pro team that * Tickets are on sale for next
Club vacancies still high
included Paul Way, Philip year’s Open from 16-19 July.
Walton, Gordon Brand Jr and Prices are the same as 2008,
A RECENT survey of clubs over the last eight years. Alison Nicholas. but for purchases before the
by the English Golf Union “The opportunities Paul Heming, SFG co- end of January, season tickets
and English Women’s Golf available in golf clubs for founder, said: “I think the for the week will cost £180
Association has underlined all ages at present are wide SFGs expected this to be a and daily tickets £55. Under-
the need for a nationwide ranging and there is no better bit like a Pro-Am but having 16s will be admitted free and
membership drive. time to become a member.” Peter McEvoy’s captaincy, concessions are available. Go to
The questionnaire revealed * The county authorities along with proper team www.randa.org/bibitopentickets.
that membership vacancies in Warwickshire and Suffolk meetings and the benefit of For information about
are still high - especially have received £25,000 and his experience, brought a hospitality packages, see www.
worrying in the current £22,000 respectively from the lot more seriousness to the opengolfofficialhospitality.com
economic climate - but that England Golf Partnership to match. It was a heavy defeat, * In response to the reduction of
clubs seemed to be attracting introduce more people of but the amateurs absolutely the VAT to 15 per cent, spectators at
more junior members. all ages to the game over the loved the experience and all Turnberry will be given food and
Richard Flint, EGU/EWGA next three years. went away buzzing.” beverage vouchers worth 2.5 per
golf development manager, * The EGU and EWGA Competitions will be cent of their ticket price.
said: “Junior golf is an have agreed to re-open staged at clubs throughout
essential part of development talks about the possibility of 2009, and anyone with a
Dundonald’s
work and this has proved merging. The EGU has just single-figure handicap is
evident with the positive over 740,000 members and encouraged to take part.
done deal
trends which have emerged the EGWA around 120,000. For more, call +44 (0)7748
965227, email paul@ DUNDONALD LINKS is to
Turnberry transfer
singlefiguregolfer.co.uk, or be used as one of the venues
visit www.singlefiguregolfer. for the First Qualifying
co.uk Stage of the European Tour
OWNERSHIP OF the Turnberry Resort in Scotland has been Qualifying School for the
transferred to Leisurecorp, the Dubai World investment next three years.
company, from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The Ayrshire links, sister
Starwood has entered a 50-year agreement with Leisurecorp course of Loch Lomond,
to manage the hotel and, after extensive restoration, the hosted one of the six Stage 1
property will become a member of its Luxury Collection qualifying tournaments this
portfolio. summer and now the deal
The hotel is now closed for a £30m refurbishment which will has been extended through
be completed before the 138th Open Championship next July. 2009, 2010 and 2011.
4 January 2009 PRO SHOP EUROPE
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