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Portugal Golf News - (2008/02/12)

The main opening golf event of 2008 involved the annual week-long visit by members of the UK Bartenders Guild, hosted by the Algarve Barmen's Association, a tradition that is now in its 29th year. Four daily individual Stableford tournaments were staged at the Castro Marim, Pinheiros Altos, Alto Golf and Salgados courses, with a separate match-play event between the best visiting players and the locals over the last two days

With the usual home turf advantage, the Algarve team normally have no problems in overcoming the intrepid visitors, aided by ample servings of local food and beverages, but last year in 2007 this tactic failed and the UKBG won the crystal bowl trophy for only their third time. Although the ABA team were favourites to regain the upper hand this year, the visitors succeeded in defeating them once more a tightly fought match. After the first day's foursomes ended in a tie, it came down to result of the last singles match on the course which gave them an 11-10 points victory, to their obvious delight.

Recently played was the inaugural Oce�nico Invitation Golf Classic, with golfers competing for a chance to play at Oce�nico�s new Little River Golf & Resort in the Pinehurst area, North Carolina. A total of 210 players entered the two-day event at the Victoria Course in Vilamoura, won by Stephen Cooper and Howard Crawford with a team score of 51 points on the first day. Cyril Murray and Pat O'Toole were the second day winners with a tally of 47 points. Oce�nico are staging a similar event in October 2008, to be held alongside the Portugal Masters and the John Aldridge Charity Classic.

Another traditional golfing event in January was the popular Vale do Lobo Amateur week, now in its 15th year. Individual and team tournaments were held every date from 28th January to 2nd February at this resort, over the Ocean and Royal courses.

During the same week, the 31st Almond Blossom series of tournaments took place at Palmares. The almond trees dotted around the course, particularly on the back nine were out in their full splendour, thanks to a full week of sunshine with only light breezes. This perfect weather, allied to the fast, true greens and overall fine condition of the course led to some excellent scoring, especially the round of 63 net (8 under par) by Roland Wallace to take the overall net prize on the final day, the Palmares Golf Trophy. Roland had already won the opening event, an individual Stableford, carding 38 points.

It was also a successful week for Julie McFee whose brother Andy is Tournament Director of the PGA European Tour. Main results: Individual Stableford � (Men) 1st Roland Wallace; 2nd Alan Perry. (Ladies) 1st Kornelia Troyer. Solverde Better Ball Stableford � 1st Julie McFee/Christine Tolos; 2nd Cyril Teasdale/Barry Milner. Aggregate Stableford � 1st Len Ramsbottom/Vanessa Cocksedge; 2nd C. Tolos/Kornelia Troyer. Palmares Golf Trophy � (Men) 1st net R. Wallace; 1st gross David Minns; (Ladies) J. McFee.

The scenic Palmares course which overlooks the coastline just east of Lagos, has been devoid of property development since it opened in 1975. In the near future, this is due to change into a prime �400 million 200-hectare golf resort with a 5-star hotel and villas, and a new nine golf holes are also being built.

The annual "Dom Pedro Classic" happened with strong international participation specially from UK and Ireland, was won by Jos� da Silva. The Ladies segment was won by Gill Snelson.

The first competition of the 2008 FPG was held on the Pinheiros Altos Course and the Mens category was won by Ricardo Melo Gouveia with Jos� Maria Jo�a in second position. The Ladies segment was won Marta Vasconcelos followed by Ana Santos Melo.

The finals of the Portuguese Senior's Oder of Merit was held on the Estoril course with the winners being Joaquim Pinto de Almeida for the Mens, and Anke Eckardt for the Ladies. The Quinta da Ria Order of Merit 2007 was won by Jorge Rosa.

Portugal was well represented in the Final of the "Audi Quattro Cup 2007" held in Mexico. The pairs team of Jo�o Fresco and Rui Matos were placed 25th in the Category A which was no mean feat considering that over 80.000 golfers have competed throughout the year. This year the winners were Mike Williams and Edward Greenhalgh from the UK. Meanwhile, in Florida, Pedro Figueiredo and Joana Silva Pinto qualified to participate in the Final of the "Junior Orange Bowl", Pedro finished in third place in the Boys category. Joana finished in 31st place in the Girls category.