News: Eleven nationalities compete for prestigious title

Players from 11 countries competed for the seventh La Cala GolfWorld Open, held at the end of November at La Cala Resort, Mijas, Málaga. This prestigious 54-hole event is unique in the region as the competitors play the three La Cala 18-hole courses: Campo America, Campo Asia and Campo Europa over three days. There is a real party atmosphere for the tournament with the pairings changing each day and this combined with the unique format and excellent weather, means many of the players now consider it a permanent fixture in their diaries.

Jose Navas (LCR), Steve Hooper (2011 winner), Liam Marnane (2010 winner) and Ana Nyblom (LCR).

Spain, Ireland, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Finland, Italy, Malaysia and the United States were the countries represented with over 80 players taking part. These included four of the previous six winners of the event. This year’s overall winner, Steve Hooper from Essex in England, had played in two previous stagings of the competition and actually won the first day prize in the inaugural event in 2005. He tied on 101 points with the 2007 winner, Rory Gilsenan, but was awarded the title as he has the lower handicap. He was quite emotional when he was announced as the winner and was fulsome in his praise for the competition: “This week has made my year. It’s been a fantastic week with the best of everything. I so looked forward to playing each day. There are real, genuine people competing here and it’s not about the winning, it’s about having a great time. The courses are brilliant and so is the whole experience. The staff are phenomenal. My wife Joan also took part and next year we’ll be back and will bring more friends with us.”

Steve was presented with his prize by last year’s winner, Liam Marnane from Dublin, Ireland. Liam said he was delighted to be back to defend his crown: “The hospitality, organisation and camaraderie are all first class. The three courses are well set up for championship play and when you can enjoy a week of sunshine in late November, it’s an added bonus. Together with my wife Rosemary, we will absolutely be back next year”

Second-placed Rory Gilsenan was also fulsome in his praise: “I work with sport horses in the UK and from now until the end of March I will get to play very little golf. It’s a fantastic break for me. These are fabulous courses in great condition and the hotel and spa are also top class. The whole event is great value and it’s a tonic to get you through the winter.”

Rory’s brother Paul, the 2008 winner from County Meath in Ireland, pointed out that the competition is so enjoyable that many of the same people keep returning year after year: “You meet the same people and the fun begins immediately. It just takes off from where it finished the year before. Everything is remembered. It’s a week I would never like to miss.”

The winner in 2009 was Alexey Vershinin, a native of St. Petersburg in Russia, who is now based in Germany: “This is such an enjoyable event. The courses are great and they test all your skills. It’s also a pleasure to play with the other competitors as there is always such a great atmosphere. I enjoyed the competition and the resort so much that I bought a second home here and I try to come here as often as work allows.”

All skill levels are welcome and there is a special prize for the best gross score. Scratch handicap, Michael Greene from Waterford in Ireland won the category by a massive 16 shots. This is the fourth year he has played in the event: “I play in hundreds of competitions every year but after Christmas this is the first one I put in my diary. I love meeting the different people and I really enjoy it. The Texas Scramble that was introduced last year instead of a practice round is great fun and I was delighted it was played on Campo America, as I particularly like that course. In fact I’m coming back over the Christmas period with my family and I plan to play Campo America again.”

Ian Pocklington and his wife Lesley from Cornwall in England have taken part in the competition every year since its inauguration in 2005. Ian says they keep returning because they have no complaints about any aspect of the event: “Given the economic times we’re now living in, we’re all trying to survive and the GolfWorld Open is great value for money. The courses and the hotel are fantastic. It doesn’t matter if you’re a multi-millionaire or broke, we’re all the same here. The camaraderie is great and it takes your mind off your problems. Lesley was recently diagnosed with leukemia and I can honestly say the game of golf has helped save her life.”

Another man who has been ever present since the first competition is Francisco Granda Menéndez from León in northern Spain: “I keep returning because of the quality of the resort, the great weather and most importantly, I’m treated very well here. From the first year on, the golf managers, the hotel managers, the waiters and the other staff all treated me so well that this week is a permanent fixture in my calendar.”

La Cala’s Director of Leisure, José Navas, was very pleased with the success of the event: “We’re delighted that we were able to increase the number of participants by a third over last year. One of the reasons this competition is such a success is that we adapt to meet the requests of the players. We introduced a Texas Scramble last year instead of a practice round and it has been a great success. The fact that we have so many return participants shows the format and the atmosphere are very attractive. We have also dropped the prices and we believe the package is unbeatable for value and enjoyment.”

Published: 07/12/11