Marc Warren is right - you

need to enter the

Hacienda del Alamo

Festival to get in

Winter Practice

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Here's an unsolicited advertisement for the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Golf Festival (February 11 to 17) from a MAN.

Glasgow's Marc Warren, who defends the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles this week, told Mike Aitken of "The Scotsman" yesterday:

"You can't practise your short game in Scotland in the winter. You don't see the true flight of the ball and it's difficult to see what's actually happening. I want my practice to be more about playing rather than just trying to swing it pretty."

Marc could also have said you can't practise your short game in England, Ireland, Wales, the Scandinavian countries, in fact anywhere in Northern Europe during the winter.

That's why Billy Sim, the director of golf at Hacienda del Alamo, and I started the HDA Women's Winter Festival in February this year.

It was to give female golfers - professionals who can't afford to go Australia and such places, and amateurs (including over-50 seniors and Under-18 girls) with handicaps up to 20 - the chance to put in some sustained practice at Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort's five-star practice facilities with the bonus of competitive play to put to the test what you have been working on in practice.

There are four events over the long weekend. But you don't need to play in them all.

Don't think because there will be lady professionals playing, that you have no chance of winning any prizes. Each section has its own prize list.

Pringle, Stewart Spence (The Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel, Aberdeen) and an oil company who don't want to be named but are delighted to support ladies/girls' golf are our sponsors. But we are always looking to add to the list.

If you want all the details about the 2009 Hacienda del Alamo Women's Winter Festival E-mailed to you or you have questions to ask, E-mail Colin@Scottishgolfview.com

January 15 is the closing date for entries but you can enter now.