From left to right: Pablo Bernandez, Javier Salinas, Emma Cabrera-Bello, Di Barnard, Ignacio Evangelio, Fernando Garay, Jorge Lopez
The Ocho Golf Ladies Open – Galicia will take place at the Augus Santas Balneario & Golf Resort from the 1 to 3 May, 2013. The event was officially announced this week and the event, sponsored by the sportswear brand Ocho Golf and supported by Reale Seguros, the Royal Spanish Golf Federation and the Galician Federation of Golf, has been created with the aim of supporting Spanish women’s professional golf, combining both sporting interest and tourism in the area.
Jorge Lopez, the promoter of the Ocho Golf Ladies Open – Galicia, said “This tournament is a good showcase to spread the image of golf and the benefits of Galicia. We will do very well, we’ll have fun and will be ‘selling’ Galicia, which is an extraordinary place. In addition to their traditional products they are known also for their wonderful golf courses, such as Santas Augas Balneario & Golf Resort, which is hosting this tournament. “
Javier Salinas, co-founder of Ocho Golf, commented, “We’re going to put our love and our support for the players to feel great because we want this tournament to become a festival of Spanish and European golf.”
Ignacio Evangelio, the LET Commercial Manager, commented on the involvement of the president of the Galician Federation of Golf, Daniel Fernandez. “Their involvement has been very important in making the tournament a reality. It is an important test in the LET Access Series schedule, which is a growing circuit, with currently twelve events in seven different countries this year. During its existence, more than 500 players have competed on the LET Access Series, with over 160 elite amateurs taking part last year.” he said.
On behalf of the players, the Canarian golfer Emma Cabrera-Bello thanked all parties involved, “especially because economic circumstances the number of playing chances are reduced. This competition is an opportunity for all to demonstrate the benefits of a very interesting golf course, Augas Santas, and the benefits and beauty of our sport. “
Completing the presentation, responsible for Reale Business Insurance, Fernando Garay, stressed the “ongoing commitment of our company to the sport of golf. Many years that our involvement is very strong and we hope that this support will also materialise in another great event for the benefit of Spanish golf. “
In that same vein, Pablo Bernárdez, director of the Professional Committee of the RFEG, thanked “the contribution of all parties to move forward with a tournament that this year becomes more important in order to help the Spanish professionals to make the leap to the Ladies European Tour.”
The first event of the LET Access Series season, the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, will be played from the 21 – 23 March at Terre Blanche Golf Course in the south of France.