Golf News Digest 07.12.07

UK?s Oldest Golfer Celebrates 100th Birthday

Shopshire Golf Centre member Charles Vinner, the UK?s oldest regular golfer, was honoured with a champagne lunch and a telegram from the Queen in celebration of his landmark 100th birthday this past Tuesday.

?It?s an incredible achievement that Charles is still enjoying his golf with us,? said Shopshire?s general manager James Lever, ? He plays to keep fit and for pleasure, and always stays to enjoy a glass of white wine and a friendly chat afterwards.?

Viner has been playing golf since the age of 19 and currently plays thrice a month at Shopshire, which he has been a member of since 1993.

LGU CEO Resigns

Ladies? Golf Union CEO Leslie Burn has resigned from her post according to a release from LGU communications director Lynn Walace.

Burn had served as the LGU?s CEO since July of 2006 and was instrumental in attracting an array of new sponsors to the LGU as part of the LGU?s 2008-2012 Business Plan.

The resignation will take effect after the LGU?s Annual General Meeting, which will be held at the end of January 2008.

European Golf Business Conference Wrap-up

The annual European Golf Business Conference concluded in Amsterdam last week with the event?s keynote speaker pushing for a greater emphasis on the development of nine-hole courses as a way to introduce new golfers to the game.

?We should look to promote nine-hole golf as a genuine experience, not as half of a golf experience, ? said Golf 20/20 director Ruffin Beckwith, ?We should find ways to make golf less intimidating and encourage new golfers to play.?

Beckworth added that a greater presence of nine-hole courses in Europe would help combat the primary barriers towards continuing to attract new golfers to the game, which are cost, difficulty and time.

GolfShots Online Video Content Introduced

UK golf tour operator Golf de la Luz has created a new online video content system known as GolfShots that allows golfers to watch complete videos of signature holes and club facilities of a variety of courses offered through the company?s website.

Videos currently available include Golf de la Luz?s top selling courses in Portugal?s Eastern Algarve and Costa de la Luz regions, with a complete range of videos from golf courses in both areas soon to follow.

Golf de la Luz?s complete list of current GolfShots are available on their website at www.golfdelaluz.com/golfshots.htm.

LGU Squad Prepare For Curtis Cup

With the 2008 Curtis Cup almost six months away, the Ladies Golf Union squad will hold their latest pre-tournament practice sessions this weekend at St. Andrews with 8 members of the 15 woman preliminary roster scheduled to participate.

The LGU team will hold a match against a squad from Stirling University on the New Course. This will be the final practice session before the official squad that will compete against Team USA is announced in early March 2008.

Since 1932, Team Great Britain/Ireland and Team USA have squared off biannually in one of the most prestigious woman?s amateur matchplay events in golf. 2008?s edition of the tournament will be held at the Old Course at St. Andrews from May 30 ? June 1.

Welsh Golf Club of the Year Announced

North Wales? Conwy Golf Club was awarded the honour of Welsh Golf Club of the year by the Golf Union of Wales and Ryder Cup Wales at the Towergate Welsh Golf Awards.

Conwy has won a series of prestigious honours in recent years including the Golf Monthly Gold Award and Golf Punk Magazine Best Welsh Course award in 2006.

For more information on Conwy Golf Club, host of the 2008 Ryder Cup Seniors tournament, visit the official club website at www.conwygolfclub.com.