Sixty-eight full time students accompanied by fifteen coaches and staff representing; Millfield, Bradfield, Durham, Loretto, Reeds & Wellington School, competed in the inaugural

‘Desert Springs & Millfield European Schools Team Championships’ at the Desert Springs Resort.

Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain, was host to the inaugural Desert Springs & Millfield European Schools Team Championships between Saturday 15th to Tuesday 18th February 2014.

The Team Championship was open to boys and girls of all ages with a maximum handicap of 24 and was held over 3 days (54-Holes). The tournament format was 4 Ball-Better-Ball Stableford Points on day 1 & 2 with day 3 being the Best two Individual Stableford Points Scores from each Team being combined to achieve the Teams accumulative Stableford score.

Lorreto School Golf Academy Winning Team Members Marcus Crowe, Cameron Blair, Oliver Duley & Yannick Artigolle with (Far Right) Loretto Golf Academy Director of Golf Rick Valentine.

“It’s a great warm up for the season ahead! The practice facilities were excellent and the competition was of a high standard.”

That is the verdict of 18-year-old Marcus Crowe, from the Loretto School Golf Academy based at Scotland's leading Scottish private boarding school, set in 85 acres of leafy campus just outside Edinburgh that provides an all-round education for just over 600 boys and girls aged 3-18.

Loretto School Golf Academy Director of Golf, Rick Valentine commented:

“This was a great event to start off the season. The teams enjoyed their stay and their golf has benefitted from both the competition and practice.”

A student plays their approach shot into Hole 15 “Abyss” on the Indiana course at Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain.

17-year-old Matthew McClerry, from Bradfield College remarked:

“This was the ideal venue to hold the Schools Championships. Comfortable accommodation, excellent practice facilities, a challenging but enjoyable course and very tasty food! I very much hope that I get the chance to return to Desert Springs, not only next year but later in life as well.”

Colin Burgess, Head of Golf at Bradfield College commented:

“I will be deeply unpopular with my colleagues when I return. I have had a genuine holiday in spectacularly scenic and comfortable surroundings enjoying a very well organized tournament, excellent meals and a lifestyle to which it is all too easy to become accustomed. How soon can I book for next year ?”

A student plays their approach shot into Hole 18 “Last Chance” on the Indiana course at Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain.

Karen Nichols, Millfield School Director of Golf, commented:

“The tournament enables all age groups, levels and standards of golfers to play together. School golf is the future of golf and this event has provided opportunities to all. Desert Springs is a great resort with a great golf course that provides a challenge to all.

15-year-old Alfredo Curbishley, from Millfield School remarked of his experience:

"I thought the accommodation was very nice with the rooms comfortable for everyone. I would like to thank the staff and golf club for hosting this event. It was good fun and the golf course was in great condition!"

Stuart Wells, Millfied School Head Coach remarked:

“The tournament format worked really well. A handicap event where players of all abilities could compete against each other and all be in with a chance of winning. This is just what schools golf needs to help young players gain experience and develop as golfers.” 

Richard Miller, from Durham School reported:

"The resort accommodation exceeded our expectations. All of the staff were excellent, they couldn't do enough for us, presentation, friendliness, knowledge, approachability and assistance-10 out of 10 across the board."

Terry Harrison, from Reeds School reported:

"A great start to the golfing season in a super sporting location, lovely to see the sun!"

18-year-old Louis Laville, from Reeds School remarked:

"Very good fun to play on a challenging course outside of the UK!"

17-year-old Jen Vincent, from Reeds School commented:

"I played well on an awesome course! Better than being in England!!"
 

Thirty-four full time students from the Hartpury College Golf Academy during their annual 5-day intensive winter training camp at Desert Springs Resort.

During 9th – 14th February, three Hartpury College Golf Academy PGA Instructors accompanied thirty-four students aged between 15–18 years to escape the British winter and enjoy the sun in Spain and complete their annual 5–day training camp at Desert Springs.

Eighteen year old Student at the Hartpury College Golf Academy, Matt Aston remarked of his experience at Desert Springs:

“This is my second year coming to Desert Springs Resort with Hartpury College, and it is fair to say that the high standard of the accommodation and condition of the Indiana golf course and golf academy practice facilities have been kept impeccable.”

17-year old Sarah Riddeu commented:

“Desert Springs is a fantastic resort with a golf course you would not miss any opportunity to play on. The resort has beautiful surroundings and I have had an amazing time and would definitely recommend it to others.”

A Hartpury College Golf Academy student plays their tee shot on Hole 4 “Cinch” on the Indiana course at Desert Springs.

The group were accommodated in some of the privately owned Apartments, Townhouses and Pueblo Villas normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the 'El Torrente' Restaurant each evening. During their time at the resort the players utilised the excellent practice facilities at the Golf Academy and played the Indiana golf course.

A Hartpury College Golf Academy student working on their putting technique at the Desert Springs Short Game Academy

Richard King, Academy Manager at Hartpury College Golf Academy commented:
 

“Another fantastic week at Desert Springs Resort and plenty of playing and practice in the sun!

The staff and facilities are outstanding and I would recommend the resort to any golfer.”

Hartpury College Golf Academy PGA Instructors Paul Johnson and Luke Fisher commented of their experience at Desert Springs respectively: –

“I thoroughly enjoyed the week at Desert Springs. The course is a fantastic test of golf, with the resort offering excellent facilities too.”

“This was my first visit to Spain and Desert Springs and hopefully not the last! Great service from all the staff who would do anything to make your stay better.”

A Hartpury College Golf Academy student plays their tee shot on Hole 1 “Cactus Point” on the Indiana course at Desert Springs.

Twenty students from the Darren Clarke Golf School during their annual 4-day intensive winter training camp at Desert Springs Resort.

During 21st – 25th January, three Darren Clarke Golf School PGA Instructors accompanied twenty boys aged between 15-19 years to escape the British winter and enjoy the sun in Spain and complete a 4–day training camp at Desert Springs.

Nineteen year old Student at the Darren Clarke Golf School, Paddy Carser remarked of his experience at Desert Springs:

"This has been a superb training camp and is the best place we have ever played golf!”

Eighty-one full time students from the Lee Westwood Golf School during their annual 4-day intensive winter training camp at Desert Springs Resort.

During 13th – 17th January, eight Lee Westwood Golf School PGA Instructors accompanied seventy-seven boys and four girls aged between 15-18 years to escape the British winter and enjoy the sun in Spain and complete a 4-day training camp at Desert Springs.

Full time student at the Lee Westwood Golf School Abbe Symanes remarked of her experience at Desert Springs:

"The golf course was fabulous, challenging but at the same time great.

Lee Westwood PGA Instructors and Staff from left to right: Kiran Mistry, Simon Dainty, Andrew Kirk, Mark Hetherington, Jack Murgatroyd, Allan Craston, Michael Welch & Georgia Cook