PRO-AM for HAITI

Alcaidesa event supports earthquake victims

(Photo: Luis Corralo)

THE THIRD edition of the Haiti Charity Pro-Am at Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort (in Cádiz province) was such a resounding success that the complex’s two courses were needed to accommodate a total of 160 players, including 40 professionals – all of whom were keen to support the Caribbean country, one of the poorest in the world, which suffered the effects of a devastating earthquake in January.

Álvaro Quirós, Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño and Juan Quirós took a break from their tour schedules to back the initiative, which was also supported by other top players including José María Cañizares, Manuel Quirós, Carlos Balmaseda, Diego Suazo and Ignacio Sánchez Palencia, as well as Paco Cea and Mariano Saiz, who led the way with their teams in the respective events (played on the two courses).

On the Heathland layout, Saiz won with his amateur team of Pedro Diego de la Dehesa, Pedro de Celis and Marcelo Puente; Gonzalo Grass and Pilar López won the longest drive prizes; and Marcelo Puente was closest to the pin on the 14th.

On the Links course, Cea captained his team of Miguel Valcárcel, Ernesto Ramos and David Azogue to victory; George Desoisa hit the longest drive; and José Luis López Gil was closest to the pin.

The prize presentation ceremony included an auction of items donated by players, and other gifts, and performances by the capoeira group Porto da Barra do Sao Paulo and the dancer Andrea Bomfin.

A total of more than 11,000 euros was raised during the event, destined for Haiti through the Jesús María religious mission which, over the past decade, has dedicated its efforts and financial help to building schools and wells, supplying water to the towns and, since the start of this year, rebuilding a country enormously scarred by tragedy.

Alcaidesa Golf Resort, Srixon, Röhnisch, Titleist, Canterbury, Ping, Max Moore, Calvin Klein Golf, Shape-ups and Sabona collaborated with the third Haiti Charity Pro-Am, which was organised by Paloma Rivaya, commercial director of Selecta Sports.