Official presentation of Spanish team

The finalists with Laurence Brotheridge from DLGA

Juan, Pedro, Gabriel, Paquito & Jose Antonio

Official photo

To South Africa with a great smile with Viajes El Corte Inglés

Jose Antonio Gallardo

Francisco Javier Gil

Gabriel Martin

Pedro Luis Batista

Juan Antonio Ruiz

Paquito interviewed by 3.40 Television

The Spanish team to compete in the World Golfers’ Championship (WGC) in South Africa at the end of October had a preparatory day at La Cala Resort in Malaga in advance of their important trip. The five team members all qualified in summer competitions held at the Mijas resort.

They will play 72 holes strokeplay over four courses in the Kwazulu-Natal area of Thailand. This is the same format as used for professional tournaments. For all four this will be the first time they will have represented their country, while Juan Antonio Ruiz (qualified at last year final) will be the second time he competes.

As part of their preparation they played Campo Asia in La Cala together, received advice of what to bring on the trip, had a very instructive talk for the David Leadbetter Academy Director and teaching professional, Laurence Brotheridge, on how best to prepare before their rounds and how to cope with the conditions and how to prepare mentally.

Thirty eight countries will contest the final, to be held from October 29th to November 5th. The WGC is designed to give golfers of all skill levels the thrill and prestige of representing their country in a global championship golf event. It was first held in 1995 and the location for the final changes every year. Two year ago it took place in Marbella, the last year in Thailand where the Spanish team was runner-up, and this year as novelty it will go to South Africa. Arnold Palmer is the WGC’s Tournament Patron and Severiano Ballesteros was Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board.

Over 1000 players competed in the qualifying stages playing over various events both in the La Cala Resort as other golf clubs in Spain for a place in the National Final in what is considered as the World Golf Championship for amateurs. The winners represent five handicap categories and the best four scores will count towards the overall team result.

Jose Navas, Director of Leisure at La Cala Resort, says that as the biggest golf complex in Spain, the resort is very proud to be involved in promoting the sport throughout the country. “We believe that one of the best ways to show our commitment to amateur Spanish golf is to host this great event which provides five golfers with an opportunity to represent their country in a world class event that has all the attributes of a tournament on the professional circuit.” In addition, this year, as new, we have organized several qualifying events in different golf clubs across our geography, facilitating, to greater number of players, the possibility of qualifying for the National Final. “It is our intention, for the next year, to bring more clubs qualifying in Spain”. Jose Navas also confirmed that La Cala will continue to support the WGC in the coming years.

A member of the team, who in turn, repeated experience, is Juan Antonio Ruiz who said: “I am very proud to represent Spain and live the experience again”. As a veteran of the event said that: “To do a good job we have to play calmly without forget that we have to enjoy and have fun”.

His team-mate, Pedro Luis Batista revealed that he feels a real honour to represent Spain after the national finals lived, "I felt very proud to have achieved the standings after the final it had, and some of my colleagues starting could do it since we distinguished only one stroke. He added: “the badge of Spain and its success lies in it's a great family, in which all components are supported regardless of their game”.

Francisco Gil Student of only 14 years old said that represent Spain "is an incredible and unforgettable experience for me." This teenager said "I'm nervous and impatient with all this, and I feel very confident in my good game"

The Spanish team is comprised of:
1st Category (hcp 0—5) Juan Antonio Ruiz Batana
2nd Category (hcp 6—10) Pedro Luís Batista Pérez
3rd Category (hcp 11—15) Gabriel Martin Pulido
4th Category (hcp 16—20) Francisco Gil Garcia
5th Category (hcp 21—25) Jose Antonio Gallardo González

Published: 11/10/11