Six awards were presented at the dinner hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts, Turkey, and also supported by the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, along with the official trophy presentation to the 2014 International Team Championship winners, Scotland.

The presentation of the awards provide a chance to throw the spotlight on the efforts and work of exceptional individuals and projects that have benefitted the sport in a variety of ways, such as individual playing performances, golf development activity, and dedication, expertise and passion for coaching in golf.

2014 Confederation of Professional Golf Annual Award Winners:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernard Gallacher OBE – Awarded for exceptional achievements in golf.
  Read More…
• Christer Lindberg Bowl: Dr. Philip Weaver OBE – Awarded to individuals or organisations in recognition for their services to golf.
  Read More…
• 5-Star Professional Award: Filippo Barbé – Contributions to the Profession in the PGA Professional’s many and varied areas of expertise and activity, such as tournament play, leadership, education, or long and meritous service in the sport.
  Read More…
• John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching: Salvador Luna – Given to a person who has excelled as a Golf Coach with any types of players be they elite or beginners.
  Read More…
• President’s Award for Golf Development [Project]: ClubGolf Scotland (presented to ClubGolf Scotland Manager, Jackie Davidson) – Acknowledging the work of a project that has excelled in developing the game of golf.
  Read More…
• President’s Award for Golf Development [Individual]: Allan Martin – Acknowledging the work of an individual that has excelled in developing the game of golf.
  Read More…

The Annual Gala Awards follow on from the main four-day Congress event that brings together a diverse range of representatives from throughout the Confederation of Professional Golf member countries, and allows award winners from across those countries to be recognised on a European platform.

“It was an honour to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and follow in the footsteps of previous recipient and friend, Tony Jacklin,” explained Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Bernard Gallacher OBE.  “The Annual Congress is an important event for the development of golf in Europe and the awards evening highlighted the good work done by normally unheralded hard-working Professionals from all over the continent.”

John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching winner, Salvador Luna, added, “I truly felt myself inside a close and familiar atmosphere at the event, where I could receive the warmness from all delegates.  I think the Congress is so profitable for all delegates in terms of networking and sharing ideas in order to improve and develop good practices and strategies in their countries.”

Find out more about all of 2014’s Award Winners here: http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

————————

For more information and news visit the Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The 2014 Annual Congress Gala Awards are supported by Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts – for more information on the event partners visit http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

The Lifetime Achievement Award looks to recognise an individual’s exceptional achievements in golf and Gallacher’s outstanding career from early beginnings as a PGA professional, an exemplary tournament record including eight Ryder Cup appearances as a player and three as a Captain, and more recently charitable work focusing on the well-being of golfers across the UK with the provision of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at golf clubs.

“It was an honour to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and follow in the footsteps of last years recipient and friend Tony Jacklin,” explained Gallacher.  “I have always considered myself a club professional who also plays tournament golf.”

The Annual Congress is a yearly gathering of representatives from across the Confederation of Professional Golf’s 36 member countries and gives an opportunity for the sharing of ideas and knowledge:

“The Annual Congress is an important event for the development of golf in Europe,” said Gallacher.  “The awards evening highlighted the good work done by normally unheralded hard working professionals from all over the continent.”

Gallacher’s golfing career started in the early 60s and it was not long before he began picking up trophies including the Lothians Golf Association Boys Championship In 1965 followed by the 1967 Scottish Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship.

He turned Professional that same year and immediately took home the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award in 68, and then became the youngest man to represent Great Britain in the Ryder Cup at the 1969 matches at Royal Birkdale, UK.

From there his Ryder Cup career spiralled with a total of eight playing appearances and then three captaincies including the a 14.5 to 13.5 victory on opposition soil at Oak Hill Country Club, USA.

Gallacher’s PGA roots were never far away though as he was the club Professional at Wentworth Golf Club from 1975 until 1996, the same year he was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE).

More recently in August 2013, Gallacher suffered a sudden cardiac arrest whilst speaking at an evening function near Aberdeen, UK.  If it was not for the immediate action of staff with CPR training and an AED being on site at the hotel then his story may have panned out differently.

Using his personal experience as a catalyst along with the help of the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland and UK-based charity, Arrhythmia Alliance, Gallacher launched a Defibrillator campaign to support the placement of AEDs in golf clubs across the United Kingdom to give access to life-saving equipment in the event of sudden cardiac arrests.

Find out more about all of 2014’s Award Winners here: http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

————————

For more information and news visit the Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The 2014 Annual Congress Gala Awards are supported by Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts – for more information on the event partners visit http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

BMW joined the Confederation of Professional Golf’s partner lineup shortly before the 2014 Annual Congress and International Team Championship (ITC) where one of the first joint activities saw them provide a welcome to Turkey’s Belek region with transport for delegates to Gloria Hotels & Resorts.

The agreement is the latest of a number of new partnerships and continues to show the advancement of the Association’s recently renewed strategy and optimisation of the Corporate Partner programme.

“Creating a partnership with a company such as BMW is momentous for the Association,” said Confederation of Professional Golf Chief Executive, Ian Randell.  “BMW’s brand is known across the globe and we are very proud to be able to align with a company that is highly respected for its innovation and forward thinking, as well as with its ecological and social sustainability efforts.

“BMW are synonymous with golf as long term supporters of the game at all levels. We are thrilled that they see the Confederation of Professional Golf as a valuable addition to the relationships that they enjoy across the game and specifically with the Ryder Cup, European Tour, PGA Tour and with some of our Member Country PGAs including the PGA of Germany and PGA of Great Britain & Ireland.

“The partnership enables our Member Country PGAs and their members to be part of the BMW VIP sales programme offering access to a preferred pricing opportunity that in most cases would otherwise not be available to them.  We’ve also very much enjoyed working with them straight away as they assisted so well with our Annual Congress and ITC in providing an incredible experience for all of our attending guests.”

For BMW, the partnership facilitates an opportunity to work with PGAs and their individual members on a closer basis than ever before:

“We are very proud to extend our global engagement in golf through this partnership with the Confederation of Professional Golf and its members being the experts and opinion leaders in this fascinating sport” said Christian Masanz, Head of BMW Golfsport Marketing.  “We are looking forward to working with them closely in the upcoming years.”

————————

For more information on BMW visit www.BMW.com.

For more information about the Confederation of Professional Golf, visit cpg.golf, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching is the Association’s highest coaching accolade in the name of one of the greatest coaches in the sport’s history.  It is awarded to a person who has excelled as a golf coach at all levels of the game be it with elite or beginner players alike across a number of years.

Luna was nominated by his peers at the PGA of Spain and the RFEG for his work with Spain’s National Teams in the last 20 or so years.  His input to players’ games, along with specific programmes such as the RFEG’s ‘BLUME’ programme for elite under-18s, means that he has influenced almost every professional player to come out of Spain in the past two decades, including the likes of Álvaro Quirós, Pablo Martin, and Sergio García.

“Receiving this Award has been an honour for me,” explained Luna.  “John Jacobs worked for the Spanish Federation across 40 years sharing his knowledge with me and with all my colleagues around the country.

“This has been fundamental for me to become a coach and to also understand how a golf professional has to be involved in the development of the players.  This is not only a recognition for me, but for the work that all the staff at the Federation have developed over the years.”

Luna received his award at culmination of the 2014 Annual Congress at Gloria Hotels & Resorts, Turkey, an event that sees the Confederation of Professional Golf’s 36 member countries come together to share knowledge and experience.

“I truly felt myself inside a familiar atmosphere at the Congress, where I could receive the warmness from all delegates at the event,” added Luna.  “I think this Congress is so profitable for all delegates in terms of networking and sharing ideas in order to improve and develop good practices and strategies in their countries. The future of the golf coaches relies in many cases on the PGAs support, and I think the Congress helps a lot for the improvement of the profession.”

Known as ‘Salva’ to his friends and pupils, he turned professional in 1983, and very early into his coaching career he worked with elite-level players going through the RFEG’s national squads.

He then worked with the award’s namesake, Jacobs, across a number of years during the Master Professional’s visits to Spain and crafted his trade under his guidance.

Since 1994 Luna has been responsible for the RFEG’s ‘BLUME’ programme for elite under-18s overseeing an incredible list of names including the aforementioned Álvaro Quirós, along with Azahara Muñoz and Josè Manuel Lara to name but a few.

Luna is held in the highest esteem by his peers and is regarded as one of the most influential coaches in Spain:

“Salva is a model of what we all call a PGA Professional – he is a hard worker, he is passionate and is determined to continue learning all the time to make himself a better coach,” explained PGA of Spain President, David Pastor.

Find out more about all of 2014’s Award Winners here: http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

————————

For more information and news visit the Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The 2014 Annual Congress Gala Awards are supported by Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts – for more information on the event partners visit http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

The Christer Lindberg Bowl is awarded to individuals or organisations in recognition of their services to golf and impact on the golfing landscape and PGA Profession.

Weaver’s recognition comes shortly after his retirement from position as Chairman of the PGA of GB&I after 25 years in the position in which he has played an integral part in helping shape GB&I’s future, whilst also impacting upon the Ryder Cup in his position as a Committee Member and Ryder Cup Policy Board Member.

“I am greatly humbled by the award of the Christer Lindberg Bowl for services to the game,” said Weaver.  “I would like to thank the Confederation of Professional Golf profoundly for this prestigious honour. I am immensely proud to follow in the footsteps of so many illustrious recipients and will treasure this recognition forever.”

Weaver received his award at the Confederation of Professional Golf’s 2014 Annual Congress in which representatives from the Association’s 36 member countries come together to share knowledge and experience on a yearly basis:

“The Annual Congress is vitally important in order that the family of Professional Golfers’ Associations can continue to flourish and grow through the sharing of experience and knowledge within the game of golf,” added Weaver.  “The Gala Dinner was a fitting opportunity to celebrate those individuals who have played important roles and be justifiably recognised by their peers in an atmosphere of strong and meaningful fellowship.”

He began his Professional career at Coventry Golf Club, England, in 1966 and was appointed head Professional in 1979.  Later on his playing career took him to Holston Hills in Tennessee, USA, as a member of the 1982 GB&I PGA Cup team, and then again in 1983 where he was part of the victorious team at Muirfield, Scotland.

His administrative career became more prevalent in 1988 when he joined the Board of Directors for the PGA of GB&I, and then went on to become Chairman the next year, whilst also joining the Ryder Cup Committee that same year.

In 1997 Weaver received another Confederation of Professional Golf honour – the 5-Star Professional Award – for his exemplary activity in a variety of areas that make up the profession.

In 2006 he was presented with an Honorary Doctorate for services to golf from the University of Dublin, and then was made and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen in 2012.

Find out more about all of 2014’s Award Winners here: http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

————————

For more information and news visit the Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The 2014 Annual Congress Gala Awards are supported by Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts – for more information on the event partners visit http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

Barbé, a member of the Association’s Education Committee (EC), received the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Profession and highest level of standards across the many and varied areas of expertise and activity that make up being a PGA Professional.

“It is really a great joy to receive the Confederation of Professional Golf 5-Star Professional Award,” explained Barbé.  “It is a recognition not only for myself but also for the people working with me at the Italian National Academy for Professional Education (Scuola Nazionale Di Golf) in Rome and for my friends in the EC – I would never been able to get the Award without their assistance and teamwork.”

The award reflects his ongoing input into the Italian golf system along with the European-wide Professional education programmes, whilst also recognising his early career highlights as a playing professional in national and Challenge Tour events.

Barbé also presented at the 2014 Annual Congress, an event in which representatives from the Association’s 36 member countries come together to share knowledge and experiences with each other:

“I loved this Annual Congress as one of the best ever, everything was so good,” Barbé added.  “The location, organisation and quality of the speakers was excellent and it was a pleasure to be involved in the Gala Dinner Awards presentation.”

Born in Novara, Italy, Barbé initially played golf as an amateur reaching a handicap of three, but then took time out to gain a degree from the University of Milan in Law and begin practicing with his father.  But a passion for playing golf was clear as he turned professional at the end of 1991 whilst based at G.C. Biella Le Betulle.

Until 1996 he played in national Professional events as well as in Challenge Tour events, after which he joined the Italian National Academy for Professional Education in Rome as Assistant to Past Confederation of Professional Golf Honorary President, Donato Di Ponziano.

From there he became a member of the Confederation of Professional Golf’s Training Standards Committee, latterly known as the Education Committee, which involved the setting and assessment of standards for professional education programmes in countries across the continent whilst also being involved in golf development work in places further afield such as India.

In 2013 he was elected as a Board Member for the PGA of Italy and also took over as Director of Education at the Italian National Academy for the Education of Golf Professionals.

Find out more about all of 2014’s Award Winners here: http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

————————

For more information and news visit the Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The 2014 Annual Congress Gala Awards are supported by Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts – for more information on the event partners visit http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

ClubGolf Scotland was developed as a lasting legacy to Scotland’s staging of the 2014 Ryder Cup, aimed at recruiting and retaining more juniors into the game of golf, and has received widespread acknowledgment for achieving outstanding results including introducing over 300,000 children into the game.

The award was presented at the Confederation of Professional Golf Annual Congress Gala Awards Dinner supported by Rolex to ClubGolf Scotland Manager, Jackie Davidson:

“For the ClubGolf team to receive the President’s Award from the Confederation of Professional Golf is an honour and highlights the fact that the programme is now being recognised internationally.

“This is a huge accolade and signifies ClubGolf’s impact on Junior golf.  The strong connection and relationship with PGA Professionals in Scotland has made a significant impact on the success of the programme and in raising the profile of the programme across Europe.”

ClubGolf Scotland was developed as a lasting legacy to Scotland’s staging of the 2014 Ryder Cup, aimed at recruiting and retaining more juniors into the game of golf.

Davidson also presented some key findings at the Annual Congress presentation and workshop sessions to share ClubGolf’s learnings and experiences with the attendant my delegates:

“The Annual Congress is a fantastic networking opportunity and the chance to share our experiences and increase the learning across Europe and further afield.  The Gloria Golf Resort was a beautiful, first class venue…and it was wonderful to celebrate the success of all the worthy winners and to recognise their achievements.

The ClubGolf programme was launched in 2003 to fulfill the Scottish Government’s promise to provide every child in Scotland with an opportunity to experience golf, part of Scotland’s commitment to the game which formed part of the successful bid to host the 2014 Ryder Cup.

By creating opportunities for every child in Scotland to access golf, encouraging them to become a part of the sport and developing their potential as they progress, the ClubGolf programme aims to lay strong foundations for the future health of golf clubs and for Scottish performances on a world stage.

ClubGolf Scotland established a number of clear strategic goals, a strategic framework and an effective, structured programme which works for both young people and coaches. Some key headline successes for the programme to date include:

• Introducing over 300,000 children to golf since inception
• Average of 40,000 children participating in ClubGolf in primary schools per year
• 15.7% transition rate from schools to clubs (Stage 1 year 1)
• 126 PGA Professionals (+20 Assistant Professionals) engaged in supporting delivery
• Average of 15,000 children in club coaching Stages 1-3
• Around 1,500 qualified and licensed volunteer coaches active in clubs
• Over 300 clubs and facilities delivering ClubGolf coaching programmes

For more information on ClubGolf Scotland visit www.clubgolf.com.

Find out more about all of 2014’s Award Winners here: http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

————————

For more information and news visit the Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The 2014 Annual Congress Gala Awards are supported by Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts – for more information on the event partners visit http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

The award was presented to Martin at the Gala Awards Dinner supported by Rolex at the Association’s flagship event, the 2014 Annual Congress, and gave Martin an opportunity to step into the spotlight:

“To receive the recognition of fellow PGA Professionals and the industry on the European stage is very special indeed,” explained Martin.  “Receiving this prestigious award has raised awareness of the work I and many others do day-in day-out as PGA Professionals.  I’ve done nothing special, however at the same time this necessary work is often overlooked…now its been brought to the fore and into the public eye.”

Martin’s work has been heavily focused towards golf development since he became a qualified PGA Professional in 1996.  Based at Buchanan Castle Golf Club, Martin has contributed to a number of projects that have looked to develop the game specifically with the pilot for Scotland’s ClubGolf junior golf initiative, the 2010 Junior Ryder Cup Coaches Conference, and has also been a mentor for numerous Assistant Professionals across the years.

But perhaps one of his major achievements is with the development, mentorship and friendship with Paul McIntyre, a young man with the incurable genetic condition, Becker Muscular Dystrophy.  Paul’s condition severely weakens the muscle tissue of the body leaving most sufferers unable to walk by the time they are in their thirties and, as the heart is also a muscle, it can often lead to serious coronary complications.

Martin met Paul when he was 18 and took an interest in encouraging him to play golf to aid his fitness and help him to focus on developing his social interaction and awareness of others.  The club’s positive social environment drastically improved Paul’s self-confidence and enabled him to appreciate that there were opportunities for him and that Muscular Dystrophy wasn’t a barrier.

He encouraged Paul to play and improve his skills both on and off the course, teaching him to read and write having recognised that Paul was dyslexic, which was likely to be a main cause of his previous bad reputation and behaviour within his local community.

Martin used golf and their trusting relationship to improve and maintain Paul’s physical fitness whilst also helping him to learn to read and write.

“Paul is a one off, a character, a true inspiration,” said Martin.  “He is the embodiment of how sport can inspire individuals to achieve things they can only dream of.

“The opportunity to help Paul has, in turn, inspired me to continue to mentor and support the next generation of coaches in our sport, both volunteer and young PGA Professionals, throughout, and in the remotest areas of Scotland.”

The Annual Congress sees a diverse range of individuals involved with PGAs throughout the Confederation of Professional Golf member countries come together to share information and knowledge, something Martin was proud to be a part of:

“The Congress was a wonderful occasion in a wonderful setting.  The camaraderie of the diverse nationalities represented at the event was wholly positive and wonderful to be part of.

“A free exchange of views, the sharing of ideas and the platform created to encourage PGAs to come together to turn challenges into opportunities is a wholly positive experience for all concerned.”

Find out more about all of 2014’s Award Winners here: http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

————————

For more information and news visit the Annual Congress Hub Page (http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#AnnualCongress’ or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The 2014 Annual Congress Gala Awards are supported by Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts – for more information on the event partners visit http://eur.pe/2014AnnualCongress.

But after laying the foundations for victory with high-octane displays in the first two rounds, the tartan trio’s journey to their inevitable coronation was comparatively sedate.

Ten strokes clear of the 22-strong field in pursuit of the €6,000 first prize at the start of the final round, that was their margin of victory at the end of it.

Having set the standard and the pace with rounds of 12-under and nine under, the Scots’ final return of four-under was matched by the Irish trio of Michael McDermott, Brendan McGovern and Damian Mooney who claimed second place.

Moreover, it was improved on by Italy who posted a round of five-under to finish tied fourth with Germany, a stroke behind Sweden.

Once again, however, it was a Scot who produced the best individual performance of the day.

Having played a supporting role to team captain Graham Fox thus far, Gareth Wright claimed the spotlight, not least over the final five holes.

Wright, who played in all four rounds of the Open at Muirfield the summer before last, went birdie, birdie, par, birdie before signing off with an eagle at the par five 18th.

He did so courtesy of a prodigious drive followed by a sensational approach that left him with a three-foot putt to card a five-under-par round of 67 and finish eight-under for the tournament.

Scotland has now won the event eight times and Wright has been party to two of them.

“I really enjoy this tournament,” said Wright, a member of the team that won in Portugal two years ago. “It’s a great event and great to come to come to a new venue. It’s a fantastic facility and the weather was brilliant today and yesterday. It was nice to come out and get the win.”

Fox, meanwhile was one of the three who finished runner up behind Holland last year and clearly enjoys a format that sees the best two of three scores counting.

Having finished as the joint-leading individual last year with Holland’s Ralph Miller, his three-round total of 16-under put him three strokes clear of Sweden’s Magnus Atlevi and the sole occupant of pole position.

“It’s a great environment to play in and they’re great guys to play with,” he said. “We gel well as a team.”

For Brown, by contrast, the event was a new experience but one he wants to repeat.

“I loved it,” he said. “I could have been at home digging snow out of my driveway so I’m more than happy to be out here playing golf with these guys.

“It’s a big incentive to try and make the team next year and return.”

Leading scores: 25-under: Scotland; 15-under: Ireland; 14-under: Sweden; 13-under: Italy, Germany; 10-under: Holland; 9-under: England.

For updates, information and news visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the Hashtag #ITC, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

President of the PGA of Lithuania, Egidijus Baleisšis, was present at the Annual Congress to speak with representatives from the Confederation of Professional Golf’s membership and introduce the up and coming golfing country of Lithuania.

The PGA of Lithuania was established in 2012 and currently has five PGA Professional Members.

For more information on the PGA of Lithuania visit www.pga-ltu.lt

The tartan trio of Fox, Graham Wright and Graeme Brown go into the final round of the tournament at Gloria Golf Club in Turkey with their advantage over the 22-strong field having more in common with a chasm than a cushion.

Ten strokes clear of second-placed Sweden and Ireland, the €6,000 first prize is clearly theirs to squander.

Golf, of course, is littered with last round collapses: think Greg Norman at Augusta in the 1996 Masters or Adam Scott in the Open at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s the summer before last.

Given the form of Fox, however, it’s difficult to envisage the Scots snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and failing to win the trophy for an eighth time.

Having put the New Course to the sword on day one with a bogey-free 11-under-par round of 61, four birdies in his first five holes suggested Fox was set for an action replay.

In the event, the 37-year-old experienced a birdie famine before signing off with two more at the 16th and 18th to finish on six-under for the round and be an astonishing 17-under for the tournament.

Factor in Wright’s contribution of three-under and the Scots are now 21-under for the tournament which, because of torrential rain accompanied by thunder and lightning on the second day, has been reduced to three rounds.

Unsurprisingly, Fox’s round of six-under was the best of the day but Sweden’s Magnus Atlevi and Ralph Miller of defending champions Holland ran him close with returns of five-under.

Atlevi is now nine-under for the tournament and has been key to Sweden’s success; likewise Ireland’s Michael McDermott ,who has posted successive rounds of four-under, and Andrea Signor of Italy who is on seven-under.

Moreover with the Scots almost off the radar and three strokes spanning their six closest pursuers, all could be key in determining what appears to be the battle for second rather than first place.

Leading scores: 21-under: Scotland; 11-under: Sweden, Ireland; 10-under: Germany; 8-under: Holland, Italy, England.

————————

For updates, information and news visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the Hashtag #ITC, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

The 2014 Annual Congress & ITC are supported by Gloria Golf Resort and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust. For more information on our partners, visit http://eur.pe/1aaFFgx.

As if engaged in a private battle with the rumbling thunder and distant flashes of lightning that threatened to curtail the first of the tournament’s four rounds, Fox responded with a spectacular display of golfing fireworks.

A flawless round that included nine birdies and an eagle at the 455 metres par five 18th, saw him post an 11-under-par career best score of 61.

Unsurprisingly it was the round of the day by some distance and it ensured the Scottish trio, which is completed by Graeme Brown and Gareth Wright, opened up a three-stroke lead in pursuit of the €6,000 first prize.

Wright weighed in with a round of one-under and, with the best two of three scores counting, the Scots started their bid to win the event for an eighth time with a round of 12-under.

Wright was a member of the team that won in 2012 while Fox and his two compatriots had to settle for a place in the runner’s up enclosure last year.

In doing so, Fox tied with Holland’s Ralph Miller as the tournament’s leading individual, both completing the four rounds in two-under.

That return was not so much upstaged as eclipsed by Fox’s opening salvo in the Turkish gloom; likewise the difference between his displays in practice and when it really mattered.

“I couldn’t break 80 yesterday,” admitted Fox, whose previous best return was eight-under. “Today was just one of those days when everything went for me – it doesn’t happen that often. After yesterday, I just relaxed and decided to go out and enjoy it. Perhaps that’s the secret.”

After last year’s experience when three strokes spanned the leading five teams going into the final round, Fox is aware that the tournament’s format means fortunes can fluctuate with bewildering speed.

Which is why the Scots will be wary of Ireland who, thanks to rounds of  five and four-under from Brendan McGovern and Michael McDermott respectively, lie second.

McGovern’s round was the second best of the day and McDermott’s was matched by Magnus Atlevi of Sweden and Italy’s Andrea Signor.

The latter, plus Federico Elli’s one-under, ensured the Italians occupy third place on five-under, two strokes clear of France and England.

The American superstar Professional took the honours in the 13th Confederation of Professional Golf-Sanctioned edition of the event and, after donating his $8,000 winner’s cheque to local charities, he perhaps gained more from the end of season confidence boost that comes from a victory – especially with his first since the Buick Invitational playoff win at Torrey Pines, USA, in 2004:

“It feels great to win – as Professional we try to build on confidence so any time you win anything it boosts it,” explained Daly. “It’s pretty much my last tournament of the year so I can hopefully go into 2015 with some extra confidence.”

A first round 66 on the New Course followed up by a 63 in Round 2 on the Old Course set the Californian-born Open Championship winner on course for his overall win, but it wasn’t strictly the gameplan to play so conservatively in the final round:

“I favour the Old Course…it suits my game because there’s a lot more full shots into the holes and it just sets up better for me.  Today I hit it pretty good, but five of the fairways I hit I didn’t have a shot to the green…I played ok but missed a lot of opportunities too.

“It’s been great to be in Turkey – not just for me but for my whole family…this is a great place to come…it reminds me of Palm Springs so much with the beautiful weather here.”

Daly’s final round started well with birdies at two, five and nine, along with a bogey at the third to go out in two-under.  But his back nine was not befitting of the rest of the weeks’ play as he made four bogeys in a row to drop to -13.  However, a birdie at 15 took him back into a tie for first, and a crucial two-putt birdie after a pin-high second on the 18th edged him one shot ahead to claim the title.

Just that one shot behind was 2013 Beko Classic Champion, Robert Coles (PGA of Great Britain & Ireland), who’s three excellent 60s rounds – 68, 67, 67 – enabled him to finish at -14 (202), tantalizingly close to a hat-trick of Beko Classic wins.

Coles’ final round 67 (-5) was more up and down than his previous ventures with eight birdies and three bogeys, but the birdies that came at 16 and 18 were good enough to secure the runner-up spot.

First round leader, Chris Gane (PGA of Great Britain & Ireland), along with former Ryder Cup Professional and also a member of the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland, Paul Broadhurst, shared third place with totals of -13 (203).

Broadhurst made the most ground on the final day with a closing five-under 67 to move up the rankings, but it was more of a case of ‘what if’ for Gane as a lost second in the New course’s 18th hole lake created a bogey that could otherwise have allowed him to contend for the title.

The Team Pro-Am competition culminated with a victory from the home-named team ‘Gloria’ made up of amateurs, Fahir Telli, Dr. Nurettin Katiranci, and Hatice Cetindere.  Their overall total was assisted with the help of Professionals Joakim Rask, David Griffiths and Robert Coles across the three rounds, ending up with 260 points (-44).

Two teams ended on 254 points (-38) but taking second place on count-back was the team of H2S made up of Hazim Evrengil, Hale Berdan, and Halit Berdan, assisted by Professionals Liam Bond, Garrick Porteous, and Klas Eriksson.

Then taking the third place position having lost the count-back were GOLFIST with Esra Demirsoy, Ian Randell and Angus Mackenzie, joined by Robert Coles, Adam Gee and Chris Gane.

For full final Individual Professional and Team Pro-Am scores visit: http://eur.pe/1I5Wudt .

————————

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#BekoClassic’, and like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Beko visit www.Beko.com and for more information on Gloria Golf Resort visit www.gloria.com.tr.

Daly started the day at Gloria Hotels and Resorts’ Old Course with a birdie on the first followed by three regulation pars.  But then the American notched things up a gear with birdies at five, six and nine to go out in four-under, along with a three hole birdie streak from ten, a birdie at 15 and another at 17 to come back in 30 for his 63.

First round leader, Chris Gane, sits at second place on twelve-under (132) for the tournament after a second round 69 (-3).  Whilst Gane’s round wasn’t quite as spotless as it had been in Round 1, it was only a solitary bogey at the Old Course’s 14th hole that marred the card.

Clearly Gane’s game is looking good for the week but is only one shot ahead of England’s Adam Gee after his six-under 66, combined with his first round 67, enabled him to finished at -11 (133).

The Team Pro-Am competition continues to be led by team Gloria (Fahir Telli, Dr. Nurettin Katiranci and Hatice Cetindere) with a total of 176 points (-32) after a second round 84 points in conjunction with Professional for the day, David Griffiths.

Still in second place, with the same Round 2 score of 84 points and a total of 173 points (-29), are GOLFIST (Esra Demirsoy, Ian Randell and Angus Mackenzie) today assisted by Professional, Adam Gee.

The final round will see the top 16 teams and Professionals join forces on Gloria’s New course to battle it out for the Team Pro-Am honours and the Individual Professional prize fund of $80,000.  The final round begins at 09:30am(GMT+2) 6th December 2014.  For full Round 2 scores visit:  http://eur.pe/1I5Wudt .

————————

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#BekoClassic’, and like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Beko visit www.Beko.com and for more information on Gloria Golf Resort visit www.gloria.com.tr.

Gane’s play across his first 18 holes was superb with a four-under front nine followed up by five birdies on his back nine to end the first round one ahead.

In second place lies 2011 Open Championship winner, Darren Clarke, who’s back nine of one-under was solid but a front nine consisting of seven birdies in a row to go out in 30 was plenty to get him to eight-under par (64) for the tournament.

Three players are tied for third place on six-under par (66): major Champion, John Daly, European Tour Professional, Kevin Phelan, and 2010 Beko Classic Champion, Raymond Russell.  Daly and Phelan each made seven birdies and one bogey whilst Russell kept a clean sheet with four birdies and one eagle on Gloria Old Course’s ninth hole.

In the Team Pro-Am event it was the home team of ‘Gloria’, made up of Fahir Telli, Dr. Nurettin Katiranci and Hatice Cetindere, that came out on top through Round 1 with 92 points assisted by Professional, Joakim Rask.

In second place are the GOLFIST team of Esra Demirsoy, Ian Randell and Angus Mackenzie, joined by defending champion, Robert Coles, with 89 points.

Round 2 begins at 09:30am (GMT+2), 5th December 2014.  For full Round 1 results visit: Tournament Hub Page.

————————

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#BekoClassic’, and like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Beko visit www.Beko.com and for more information on Gloria Golf Resort visit www.gloria.com.tr.

At a signing ceremony during the annual European Union (EU) Sports Forum held this year under the auspices of the Italian Presidency of the EU in Milan, The European Tour, R&A, The European Golf Association, The Professional Golfers’ Associations of Europe (Confederation of Professional Golf) and The Ladies European Tour, together with 13 other sporting bodies, agreed to promote #BeActive and participate in European Week of Sport, from September 7-13, by collectively mobilising the golf community network (governing bodies, national federations, clubs, coaches, sponsors, professional players and media) to raise awareness of the societal benefits of golf participation.

Golf Europe will promote the #BeActive campaign by organising grass roots activity and mobilising ambassadors throughout Europe through a range of activities including:

• implementing golf development initiatives across several Member States with structured coaching being delivered by PGA Professionals;
• showcasing golf’s European youth engagement strategy while simultaneously promoting sport’s value for health and wellbeing;
• utilising the inspirational role of professional golfers – notably the team captains of both the Solheim Cup and the Ryder Cup – to communicate to young people and to support the delivery of the European Week of Sport objectives; and
• developing and implementing legacy and outreach programmes, aligned with social and environmental policy agendas, enabled by the success of major golf events in Europe.

Now is an important time to further strengthen the dialogue between policy makers at the European Commission and the sport sector with levels of participation in sport and physical activity in Europe stagnating and, in some Member States, even falling. The collaborating golf organisations are committed to promoting the sport of golf to all European citizens in order to help reverse this trend.

The group have contributed to the development of the European dimension in sport and will strengthen their existing commitment through support and participation in the European Week of Sport 2015. The intention is that this co-operation will lead to an increased promotion of sport and physical activity, particularly in relation to societal aspects, participation and health.

A stellar field of Professionals will come together that have a combined 27 European Tour and 24 Challenge Tour victories, making for a highly competitive tournament.  Open Championship winners Clarke and Daly, will also make a popular return to the Pro-Am as the Professionals battle it out for the $80,000 prize fund.

The 54-hole Pro-Am will once again take place across Gloria Golf Resort’s Old and New courses, the 13th edition sanctioned by the Confederation of Professional Golf, and comes in the same year that the Association has signed a Corporate Partnership deal with Gloria Hotels and Resorts.

2013’s tournament was won by England’s Robert Coles [pictured right], capping off a stormy and turbulent week with a second-round, course-record, 64 (-8) that left him two ahead of the chasers at -12 (132) after the event was shortened to two rounds due to the adverse weather.  Coles returns again this year to defend his title and will make it a hat-trick of Beko Classic victories if he can seal the deal in December.

“We are very happy to be returning to Turkey once again for the longest running pro-am on our schedule and we are sure it will be a very successful week,” said Ian Randell, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Professional Golf.

“This year will be extra special as we celebrate our recent partnership with host venue Gloria Golf Resort in which our Annual Congress and International Team Championship will follow immediately after the Beko Classic.  The event’s success is testament to the incredible growth of the sport in Turkey, at which the Beko Classic has been at the forefront.”

Gloria Golf Club is the largest golf complex in Turkey; with 45 golf holes comprising of the 18-hole `Old Course`, the 18-hole `New Course` and the 9-hole `Verde Course`, as well as the largest practice facilities in Turkey.

————————

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter and search the hashtag ‘#BekoClassic’, and like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Beko visit www.Beko.com and for more information on Gloria Golf Resort visit www.gloria.com.tr.