The 2014 BlackSeaRama Pro-Am began today on away turf in Bulgaria just a stones-throw away from BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas itself at Thracian Cliffs, where the PGA of Germany’s Jonathan Grogan and the PGA of France’s Benjamin Nicolay are tied at the top of the leaderboard after Round 1’s play.
Both Professionals had relatively steady rounds, with Grogan heading out in one-under and back in level, and Nicolay mirroring Grogan’s two birdies and two bogeys in the last seven holes to both end on 71 (-1) as well.
The pair lead by one over the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland’s Craig Phillips, a former BlackSeaRama Pro-Am Champion having won the tournament back in 2011. Phillips’ card was only slightly more up-and-down with nines of one-over and one-under par giving a level-par 72 finish.
In fourth place, three shots back from Phillips, lies fellow PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Professional, Benn Barham, after a round that looked to be on track for the lead, but was thwarted with triple bogeys at holes 15 and 17 to end on three-over par (75).
Germany’s Grogan also leads the team event with amateurs Ole Smidt, Megan Kelly and Michael Crsutke carding an opening tally of 89 points (-17), followed up by German, Peter Schmidtner’s, team with 86 points (-14), and the teams of Murgelj (PGA of Slovenia), GB&I’s Barham, Lane (PGA of Bulgaria), and France’s Nicolay, each on 83 points (-11).
Round 2’s play gets underway at 09:00am (EEST) at Lighthouse Golf Resort & Spa. For full scores visit http://eur.pe/ODZ032.
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For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page (http://eur.pe/ODZ032), follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter (http://bit.ly/Pojrwy) and search the hashtag ‘#BlackSeaRama’ (http://eur.pe/13Dp6Hg), or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page (http://on.fb.me/RnDfEc).
To find out more about BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas visit www.BlackSeaRama.com.
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IMAGE: Confederation of Professional Golf – BlackSeaRama_R1 – Grogan Nicolay.jpg
IMAGE CAPTION: 2014 BlackSeaRama Pro-Am Leaders Jonathan Grogan [left] and Benjamin Nicolay [right] (-1)
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Notes to Editors:
An Association of 36 National PGAs (31 European and 5 international) with a collective membership in excess of 21,000 golf professionals, the Confederation of Professional Golf is committed to the advancement of golf, golfers and the golf profession across Europe.
The Association is also a partner in Ryder Cup Europe as the sole member of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, and is widely acknowledged as a lead body in the delivery of golf development expertise on a global basis through its collaboration with The R&A in its “Working for Golf” programme.
BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas
“BlackSeaRama is a special golf course – you have to see it to believe it”! – Gary Player
BlackSeaRama is a classic links golf course with remarkable views of the sea – the similarity with Scotland is obvious, with the only difference being that Bulgaria is the newest golf destination in Europe, while Scotland – the oldest. But the real difference is the climate – the sunny days in BlackSeaRama are more than 260, which makes around 10 perfect months of golf on the Black sea coast. Situated some 50km away from Varna-only one and a half hours flight from Vienna and Prague or Europe’s centre. BlackSeaRama offers the very best of Gary Players’ style, says the US Masters champion Angel Cabrera, a little after he played all 18 of the great championship holes.
BlackSeaRama residential area consists only of one or two-storey villas. This creates a cozy atmosphere with breath-taking views to the Cape Kaliakra and the golf course. All hundred luxurious villas have five-star hotel services, and the infinity swimming pools bring a delight sense of timeless relaxation.
The bistro and the Gourmet restaurant in the clubhouse are the home of the famous East European chef Kirin.
BlackSeaRama golf academy disposes of latest golf simulator equipment, which facilitates training all year round, both indoors and outdoors. Besides, BlackSeaRama has two tennis courts, a professional gym, a therapeutic massage centre, as well as unlimited opportunities for practicing various sports. The complex offers everything from cycling and table tennis to riding, hunting, diving and yachting.
The philosophy of BlackSeaRama is maximum self-sufficiency, absolute peace and an environmentally friendly lifestyle. Own labels of red and white wine are produced from the vineyards grown aside the fairways available only for its members and guests. The fruits and vegetables are also organically produced on site.
BlackSeaRama – the golf course named by “Golf Inc”, “Best new course in the world 2009”, which has a Bentley prize, and a clubhouse titled “Building of the year 2008”.