Runner-up in Arizona, now Amelia (13) takes aim

on Hacienda del Alamo February Festival

By COLIN FARQUHARSON (Festival Organiser)

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

If the low professional entry has been disappointing, then the number of girls entering the Under-16 events has been uplifting as the Hacienda del Alamo February Festival entry deadline approaches.

January 15 was the official last day for entries but we've stretched that by a week to give the professionals/would-be professionals competing this week at the Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying School at La Manga a chance to finalise their playing plans once their focus shifts from the tournament that is deciding their immediate future.

Personally, I think the chance to use arguably the best practice facilities in Spain and indulge in some low-key competition for cash prizes (hopefully a minimum of 1,000 Euros an event), all at the same Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort venue, is a heaven-sent opportunity, particularly for rookie pros looking to cut their competitive teeth in 2009.

Up to now, it does not look as if my opinion has been shared by the lady pros, which is a pity as their non-appearance could result in future Festivals being open only to amateurs.
Amelia Taylor, pictured above, from Bury is one of the youngsters who will be showing their paces at the Festival. Only 13 and a member at the famous St Annes Old Links, Amelia has gained a lot of competition experience already despite her tender years.

In December she went all the way to Arizona to compete in the US Kids Desert Shoot-out at Phoenix and finished second in the Girls Aged 13 category. During the summer, she had the lowest net score at the Scottish Under-14 girls' championship at The Glen, North Berwick.

Amelia reduced her handicap from 36 in September 2006 to 12.6 last July.

The Lancashire youngster arrives in Spain too late for the Murcar Under-16 girls open over 36 holes on Thursday and Friday, February 12-13 but she will make up for lost time by taking part in the St Valentine's Day pro-am on the Saturday, the Costa Calida Pairs with her 18-handicap dad Trevor on Sunday and then the Hacienda del Alamo Under-16 girls' open over two rounds on Monday and Tuesday, February 16-17.

FESTIVAL ENTRIES SO FAR

MURCIA LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Thursday-Friday, February 12-13

Professional entries

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Lien Willems (Belgium)
Ruth O’Carroll (England)

Amateur entries
Mary McKenna (Donabate) Senior
Patricia Morris (Donabate) Senior

Pamela Morgan (La Cala) Senior
Di Hudson (Royal Guernsey) Senior
Sonia Graham (Royal Guernsey) Senior
Fionnuala Forde (Donabate)
Margo Habets (Rinkven, Belgium)
Caroline Harper (Limburg, Belgium)
Natalia Zvezdina (Rinkven, Belgium)
Sandra Hendrickx (Rinkven, Belgium)
Louise Church (Hendon) (to be confirmed)
Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park)
Shula McCarthy (Clonmel)
Michele McCarthy (Clonmel).
Anna Carling (Vale of Glamorgan).
Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall)

Sharon Hewer (Royal Birkdale)
Kam Cheema (Red Libbets)
Ellis Keenan (Sunningdale)
Dana Greenslade (Wentworth)

MURCIA UNDER-16 GIRLS’ OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play

Thursday-Friday, February 12-13.
Gemma McCarthy (Clonmel). Age 11.
Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer). Age 13.
Hayley Davis (Ferndown). Age 14.
Hannah Turland (Tidworth). Age 14.
Eadaoin Cronin (Bantry Bay). Age 14.
Lucie Walker (Ormskirk). Age 15.

ST VALENTINE'S DAY PRO-AM
One round: Lady pro with three amateurs (male or female)
Saturday, February 14

Professional entries

Lien Willems (Belgium).

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Amateur teams:
Mary McKenna (4), Patricia Morris (11) & Fionnuala Forde (12) (all Donabate).
Mary MacLaren (4), Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4) (all Wellingborough).
Margo Habets (7), Caroline Harper (15) & Natalia Zvezdina (20) or Sandra Henrickx (20)) + pro Lien Willems (Belgium).

Natalia Zvezdina (20) or Sandra Henrickx (20) + two other amateurs.

Pamela Morgan (10) & Brian Harrold (10) (both La Cala) + one other amateur.

Shula McCarthy (19), Gemma McCarthy (20), Michelle McCarthy (8) (all Clonmel).
Charlie Douglass (+0.3), Anthony Hughes (1), Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park) (2).
Lizzie Stephens (6) & Ben Chapman (9) (both Clevedon) + one other amateur
Amateur individuals (to be made up into teams once entries close)

Louise Church (Hendon) (9) (to be confirmed).

Charlotte Humphries (Burnham & Berrow) (17)

Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdhu) (1.5) (to be confirmed).
Kam Cheema (20).
Amelia Taylor (St Annes Old Links) (13).
Eadaoin Cronin (Bantry Bay) (10).
Ellis Keenan (Sunningdale) (scr)

COSTA CALIDA PAIRS
One round: First nine holes greensomes; Second nine holes better-ball.
Any combination of lady pros, female & male amateurs.
Sunday, February 15
Professional entries

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Lien Willems (Belgium)

Amateur pairings:
Mary MacLaren (4) & David MacLaren.
Meghan MacLaren (4) & Rebecca Gee (4).
Holly Clyburn (+1) & India Clyburn (13).

Pamela Morgan (10) & Brian Harrold (10).

Charlotte Humphries (17) & Rob Humphries (6).

Charlotte Dalton (2) & Ellis Keenan (scr).

Jessica Wilcox (Blankney) (2) & Robert Wilcox.
Amber Ratcliffe (7) & Ryan Ratcliffe (5).
Hayley Davis (1) & Hannah Turland (2).
Sharon Hewer (5) & Peter Maw (5).
Amelia Taylor (13) & Trevor Taylor (18).
Colette Walker (Southport & Ainsdale) (18) & Lucie Walker (11).
Sonia Graham (16) & Di Hudson (9) (to be confirmed)
Lizzie Stephens (6) & Ben Chapman (9).
Dana Greenslade (5) & Alan Quarterman (4)
Ella Ofstedahl (15) & Darryl Ofstedahl (9)

Viv Ofstedahl (20) & Sam Ofstedahl (16)

Amateur individuals (need partner)

Louise Church (Hendon) (9) (to be confirmed)
Amy Boulden (1.5) (to be confirmed)

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO LADIES OPEN
Two rounds stroke-play
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17.

Professional entries

Jacqueline Pecoitz (Argentina)

Lien Willems (Belgium).
Ruth O’Carroll (England) (to be confirmed)

Amateur entries:
Sonia Graham (Royal Guernsey) Senior
Di Hudson (Royal Guernsey) Senior
Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa).
Mary MacLaren (Wellingborough)
Rebecca Gee (Wellingborough)
Louise Church (Hendon) (to be confirmed)
Charlotte Dalton (Ladbrook Park)
Jessica Wilcox (Blankney)
Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall)
Sharon Hewer (Royal Birkdale).
Kam Cheema (Red Libbets)
Ellis Keenan (Sunningdale)
Lizzie Stephens (Clevedon)
Laura Harvey (Richmond)
Dana Greenslade (Wentworth)

HACIENDA DEL ALAMO UNDER-16 GIRLS’ OPEN

Two rounds stroke play

Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17

Charlotte Humphries Age 14.

India Clyburn Age 12.

Meghan MacLaren. Age 14

Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdu). Age 15
Alice Hewison (Berkhamsted & Moor Park). Age 11
Amber Ratcliffe. Age 13.
Hayley Davis. Age 14.
Hannah Turland. Age 14.
Ella Ofstedahl (Mill Green). Age 11.
Amelia Taylor. Age 13.
Lucie Walker (Ormskirk). Age 15.

HOW TO GO ABOUT RENTING ACCOMMODATION

John Green of Hacienda del Alamo Golf Properties is the Festival's "preferred partner" for the renting of accommodation to Festival competitors.

You can E-mail him at johngreen@hdagolfproperties.com
If there are only one or two of you and you would be quite willing to share a villa with another group to bring the cost down per head, tell John your position.
His contact telephone numbers are:
Mobile in Spain: +34 618 086 285
Mobile in UK: +44 7836 385 310.
Landline in UK: +44 203 287 3103.
Skype: Hacienda Golf Properties.
Website: www. hdagolfproperties.com