Golf Monthly Digest

Golf Resort of the Year Announced

Golf Tourism Scotland has named The Old Course Hotel at St. Andrews as their 2007 Golf Resort of the Year. The award is voted on annually by a group of travel experts from over 70 tour, hotel and golf course operators throughout Scotland. Earlier this year the St. Andrews resort complex was awarded the prestigious World Travel Awards as Scotland?s leading golf and spa resort.

More information on The Old Course Hotel can be accessed on their website at www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk

EGU Award of Merit Goes To Wood

Chris Wood of Gloucestershire was awarded the 2007 Ping/EGU Award of Merit, which is annually presented to the best amateur golfer in England. The 19-year-old finished with 864 points for the season, defeating runner-up Daniel Willett by 20 points.

Wood?s debut season featured a pair of victories at the West of England Stroke Play Championship and Russian Amateur events. He also had a trio of second place finishes at the South West Championship, Tillman Trophy and Gloucestershire Championship, his home event.

Willey Wins Abridged EuroPro Tour Championship

Andrew Willey earned a Challenge Tour card for 2008 after winning the PGA EuroPro Tour Championship at Fairmont St. Andrews, finishing at 4-under par for the tournament. The event was shortened to two rounds due to strong winds that necessitated the cancellation of round one. Willey shot a 69 on consecutive rounds to take home the winner?s purse of £20,000, completing an excellent 2007 campaign that saw him finish second in the EuroPro Order of Merit standings to fellow Challenge Tour card recipient Graeme Clark.

Golf Business Forum Venue Announced

More than 300 delegates from 40 countries will take part in the fifth annual Golf Business Forum. The event is scheduled to take place at Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt Hotel outside of Dublin on May 12-14, 2008. Representatives from the hotel, real estate, finance and tourism sectors will be present for the three-day conference, which is one of the leading golf business events for the European, Middle East and African regions.

For event registration or more information visit www.golfbusinessforum.com.

Welsh Pitch And Putt Facility Re-opens

As part of the 2010 Ryder Cup Wales Legacy Fund project, the renovated pitch and putt course at Pembrey Country Park has officially re-opened to the public. ?Projects such as (Pembrey) help insure that part of the Ryder Cup?s legacy will be improved facilities for new golfers,? said Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Wales? Minster for Heritage. Improvements to the course include a revamped irrigation system for every green, new signage and a complete redesign of the course?s 6th green.

New Organizers For National Nines of Europe Golf Series

Co-owners of South Godstone?s Home Park Golf Centre, Neil Burke and Matthew Allen, have obtained the rights to the National Nines of Europe Golf Series.

The series is comprised of three tournaments for 9-hole golf clubs in France, Holland, Ireland and the UK, with the annual championship event held in Jersey.

More information on National Nines of Europe is available at the Series? official website at www.nationalninesgolf.co.uk.

Newport Golf School Welcomes First Student

Indian native Indra Dhaon has been selected as Newport Golf School?s first student at its new facilities at Celtic Manor Resort, which will host the 2010 Ryder Cup. The 18-year-old with a plus-two handicap will be coached by Chris Baron, Celtic Manor?s former director of golf and will be pursuing a degree in Forensic Computing. Newport Golf School will admit three new students in each academic year, with all enrolled students possessing a handicap of either plus-two for men and two for women.

Automobile Club Holds Successful Charity Golf Event

Royal Automobile Club of Epsom raised £17,000 for The Children?s Trust at its charity golf day held at the Old Course of St. Andrews. The Children?s Trust is a national charity providing health care, education and therapy for children with disabilities and other complex health needs. Donation opportunities and additional information can be accessed at Children?s Trust website, www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk.