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Sun, 1st Apr 2007 The Oceanico Group, headed by Gerry Fagan and Simon Burgess, last month acquired five important courses at Vilamoura to add to their portfolio of the further two in construction at Alcantarilha in the Algarve, another course being built near Obidos which lies to the north of Lisbon, plus the further two established courses in the Azores. Although basically a Development Company this new acquisition now places Oceanico Group in the 'top ten' in Europe for the companies possessing the most courses. The Group is well represented in this segment of their golf operation by Christopher Stilwell. He was born in Portugal and represents one of the third generation of his Anglo-Portuguese family in Portugal. His brother Mark is Director of the Montebelo Course in the north of Portugal near Viseu. Chris's grandfather settled in Lisbon in 1904 and his father John headed the partners who in 1963 created and built the five star Penina Hotel and its Golf Course near Portimao in the Algarve. This was then an ambitious project being the first course in the Algarve and virtually the spearhead of quality tourism to the region. John was also fortunate enough to have closely involved the late famous golfer, Sir Henry Cotton as its Director of Golf, until his resignation in 1974 due to the complications brought about by the Portuguese Revolution. Chris who had also been actively involved in the administration of the Penina, moved after this event to England to further his commercial experience. In 1989 he returned to take up the position of Golf Director and the then recently opened the Alto Club & Course and in which at the time his family had an active interest. Chris was later appointed President of the Association of Algarve Golf Courses and in this capacity he has played an active and important role in the promotion the Algarve as a important golf destination. The Oceanico Group, at the same time as making this recent golf course ownership expansion, has signed up some leading names as sponsors. Heading the list is Darren Clarke, Bradley Dredge, Paul Broadhurst and Gary Murphy. They also are the sponsors for the Portuguese PGA team and own the contract for the next three years and are to foot the bill on bringing the new event on the European Tour Event calendar, 'Portuguese Masters' to the Algarve – this year it will be played on the Victoria Course in Vilamoura. The Group has engaged Troon Golf which is based in Scottsdale in Arizona to assist in the management and fine-tuning of their golf operations. This USA Company is at present involved in similar operations in over 200 other courses worldwide. When the Alcantarilha courses are playable (anticipated April 2008), and coupled with other courses being now constructed by other owners, this region of the Iberian Peninsular is well set to become a top world leading destination for golfers. Intended to be noted for not only its high quality courses but also combined with its excellent all year around climate, outstanding accommodation, fabulous beaches, quality cuisine, and lastly not forgetting the charm and spirit found in its local residents. |
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Santo da Serra Golf Sun, 1st Apr 2007 Daniel Vancsik - (Argentina) Madeira Islands Open Santo da Serra - Madeira - Portugal - 22nd to 25th March, 2007 Daniel Vancsik became the 9th Argentinean to win on the European Tour with his success in the Madeira Open. This win will be an impressive boost to his present game as he has struggled to return to his previous form. He was one of the South American's most consistent players during the 2003 until 2005. This competition success was well timed as this win also acted as a special moment as Daniel was participating in his 50th European Tour recording the largest winning margin of the 2007 season - seven strokes. The Argentinean golfer climbed 402 places to Nº 284. |
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Oitavos Dunes Sun, 1st Apr 2007 Pablo Martin Benavides - (Spain) Estoril Open de Portugal Oitavos - Lisbon - Portugal - 29th to 1st April, 2007 In the 1.145th event held by the European Tour, history was made by Pablo Martin-Benevides, when he won the event as an Amateur. Prior to the final round the Swedish Alexander Noran had been leading the way but had little success on the final day. It became a tense final 18th hole when Pablo won by one stroke from Frenchman, Jacquelin Raphael. His first important event was the 2003 Canaries Open of Spain when he at the age of seventeen led until the final round. Unfortunately, he dropped away and finished in a tie for 22nd place. His outstanding success as an Amateur has firmly placed Pablo on the international stage in the golf world for when he turns Professional which is anticipated as taking place in the Autumn of this year. The Spanish player jumped to Nº 280 from his previously non-ranked position. He began the week in 11th place on the World Amateur Golf Ranking and this ranking position is sure to improve after his unique victory. |
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Sun, 1st Apr 2007 It took until Monday before the winner of the Honda Classic on the US PGA Tour could be decided between Colombian Camillo Villegas, Americans Mark Wilson and Boo Weekley and two-time PGA Tour winner Argentinean Jose Coceres, all returning to finish the playoff. Players had made par fives on the first play-off hole on Sunday afternoon before darkness fell but Mark Wilson was the winner with a birdie on the third extra hole. He climbed 179 places in the World Golf Ranking to Nº 86. Mark Calcavecchia won the PODS Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Florida by a stroke from John Senden and Heath Slocum. A playoff looked likely when Calcavecchia missed a seven foot par putt on the 72nd hole but then Slocum missed from around four feet for the par and Calcavecchia claimed the title along with position Nº 62, a move up of 68 places. Edoardo Molinari completed his second victory of the 2007 Challenge Tour season at the Tusker Kenya Open at Karen Golf Club in Nairobi. The Italian golfer climbed 130 places to Nº 226. Vijay Singh won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Florida by two strokes from Rocco Mediate. The former World Number One climbed two places to seventh in the Ranking with this his 31st PGA Tour win and second of the this season. Three players, not otherwise qualified, have now secured their invitations to the 2007 Masters Tournament by being in the Top 50 of the World Golf Ranking of Week 12 - 2007. They are Justin Rose, Paul Goydos and Bart Bryant. Adam Scott produced a final round of six-under-par 66 to clinch a three-stroke victory over his countryman Stuart Appleby and American Bubba Watson at the Shell Houston Open. The win takes Scott back to Nº 3 which equals the highest World Ranking of his career - first achieved at the beginning of 2007. |
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Sun, 1st Apr 2007 Anton Haig - (South Africa) Johnnie Walker Classic Blue Canyon - Phuket - Thailand - 1st to 4th March, 2007 Anton Haig from South Africa sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the first hole of the sudden-death play-off to win the Johnnie Walker Classic at the Blue Canyon Country Club. This was after finishing tied on 13-under-par 275 with Richard Sterne and Oliver Wilson. Anton Haig broke into the Top 100 at 88th place which was a move upward of 197 places. |
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Sun, 1st Apr 2007 Wien-chong Llang - (China) Clariden Leu Singapore Masters Laguna National - Tampines - Singapore - 8th to 11th March, 2007 Wen-chong Llang became the second Chinese golfer to win on The European Tour when he defeated Malaysia's Iain Steel at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to claim the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters at the Laguna National Golf Club. The win takes Wien-chong Liang to Nº 78 with a move of 40 places. |
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Sun, 1st Apr 2007 Chapchat Nirat - (Thailand) TCL Classic Yalong Bay - Hainan Island - China - 15th to 18th March, 2007 Chapchat Nirat became the third Thai golfer to win on The European Tour with a final round of 71 at Yalong Bay Golf Club for his maiden victory in the TCL Classic, co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour. This win takes the 23 year-old to Nº 179, a rise of 131 places. |
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Sun, 1st Apr 2007 Tiger Woods - (USA) WGC - CA Championship Doral - Florida - USA - 22nd to 25th March, 2007 Tiger Woods won the World Golf Championships – CA Championship over Doral's Blue Monster Course, Florida. Woods began the final round with a four-stroke lead over his playing partner Brett Witterich. He secured a two stroke victory with a final round of 73. Brett Witterich's second place finish moved him to Nº 21 in the Rankings. |
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