General News

Pictured during a three-day break at Desert Springs is last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Thomas (second from right) with other jump jockeys (left to right) Jody Mogford, Colin Bolger, Alan O’Keefe and Dominic Elsworth.

An exclusive scheme whereby jockeys take a break from the turf to enjoy a holiday in Europe’s only desert has been so successful that the arrangement has been renewed for a second year.

It was launched last year for the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) by The Almanzora Group Ltd of Cheltenham. The firm offers a range of holidays, golf, spa and fitness breaks 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. The resort takes it name from the region’s desert microclimate which is unique in Europe.

The scheme devised by Simon Coaker, director of golf at Desert Springs, and PJA director Josh Apiafi enables jockeys to enjoy free accommodation for three nights in one of the resort’s luxurious Colonial Apartments and breakfast in its award-winning El Torrente Restaurant. They can also play three rounds of golf on the resort’s 72 par 18-hole Indiana golf course, with the opportunity to practice in the golf academy prior to play.

Also available for their use are the fitness gym and pools as well as massages and other health treatments in the Day Spa. Tennis, mountain bike trail rides, a trim trail and jogging tracks are among other resort facilities.

Jockeys who wish to eat out can choose between the resort’s El Torrente and Crocodile Club restaurants, or numerous tapas bars and restaurants in local villages.

Says Simon: "I am delighted that members of the PJA have taken up their exclusive complimentary invitation to visit us and enjoy a well-earned break in the sun, whilst benefiting from the exceptional variety of facilities available at Desert Springs.
“Our commitment is to exceed our guests’ expectations with a warm and friendly welcome, providing an uncompromising level of service from the moment they arrive. We pride ourselves on anticipating what our guests require and delivering what they need.”
Feedback received from jockeys who have already visited confirms that they regard Desert Springs is a superb venue, reports Simon.

He says: “Renewal of the jockeys’ holiday offer for 2009 underlines the commitment of Desert Springs to continue to develop and strengthen its commercial partnership with the PJA and benefit its members."

Josh commented: “The PJA and its 400 members are delighted to partner with the Almanzora Group and, in particular, the Desert Springs Resort. I think golf is the second love of all our members – and golf courses don't come much better than the Indiana at Desert Springs!”

He added: “Many of our members enjoyed a five-star break in south east Spain last year and, following recommendations from members who have already experienced the resort’s world-class hospitality, we're seeing a large increase in enquires.”

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 1242 680 116

	Pictured is the winner of the third Schools European Golf Championship at desert Springs, 13-year-old Alexander Wilson from Loretto School.

Pictured at Desert Springs are (left to right) golfers Will Sadler of Reading Blue Coat School with Peter Templeton and Lewis Gregory, both from Loretto School.

Pictured at Desert Springs are (left to right) golfers Ian McDowall (Loretto), David Gaynor (Reading Blue Coat) and Tim Binder (Loretto).

Growing numbers of the schools with their own golf academies and teams – currently estimated at around 90 in the UK – are developing pupils’ playing skills by opting for warm weather winter training in south-east Spain.

One of the most popular destinations for golf training camps for schools is Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almeria region of south-east Spain.

Visiting groups have included golfing pupils from Reading Blue Coat School at Sonning-on-Thames, King Edward’s School in Bath and Loretto School at Musselburgh near Edinburgh.

This year players from Loretto School visited for the third year running and competed with pupils from Reading Blue Coat School in the third Schools European Golf Championship. The annual tournament is organised by Tewkesbury-based sports travel specialist Gullivers which booked flights and co-ordinated arrangements for the four-day visit.

Says Simon Coaker, director of golf at Desert Springs: “From the start of their 36 hole Medal Play over two days, the 28 players – 22 from Loretto and six from Reading Blue Coat – realised that this was to be a stern test of their skills and ability, but they thoroughly enjoyed playing on the Desert Springs golf course.

“Both schools fielded some big hitters but it was 13-year-old Alexander Wilson from Loretto who set the pace early, proving that as long as you are accurate, distance is not a key factor if you want to shoot a good score.”

Despite a good come back from the lower handicapped players in the final round, Alexander held his nerve to become the 2009 champion winning by four shots with a total score of 153. George Maxted (15) from Reading Blue Coat School was the runner up scoring 157.

In the team event it was Loretto's Finbar Dalton (13), Florian Keller (17) and Edward White (13) who came through to win with an impressive 206 Stableford points accumulated over two rounds.

In addition to playing on the resort’s 18-hole Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Captain Peter McEvoy, pupils were able to benefit from one-to-one tuition in the resort’s Golf Academy.

Accommodation for the Loretto and Reading Blue Coat pupils and staff was in the apartments available for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs. Meals were served in the resort’s Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club geared up for a wide variety of leisure activities.

Loretto School’s golf academy assistant, mathematics master Kevin Reid, says that pupils who are golfers – including the 32 boys and eight girls aged between 12 and 18 who are in the golf academy – tend to mature earlier.

“Their willingness to play hard often is reflected in a similar approach to their studies,” he said.

Golf was added to Loretto’s curriculum when the golf academy was set up with a handful of students in 2003.

“We are now full at 40 with projected numbers of 50 from September, 2009,” reports Mr Reid. “We are very much the market leader in the UK and this is reflected in our recent results. The school does not just play matches, we compete in the ISGA tournaments (Independent Schools Golf Association) with numerous team and individual successes during the three years since it was set up). We also compete in the HMC Foursomes tournament and during tours throughout the world to compete in school events.”

Since opting for warm weather training at Desert Springs three years ago, the school has chalked up a marked increase in the number of games it has played against others across the UK.

Training at Desert Springs for pupils was the brainchild of Loretto’s director of golf, Rick Valentine, the golf professional grandson of one of Scotland’s most dominant figures in women’s golf for two decades, Jessie Valentine, who was dubbed Queen of Golf in 1958.

The Reading Blue Coat School has 40 golf-playing pupils aged between 11 and 18. Their events calendar includes the International Golf Tournament at Sun City in South Africa as well as regular HMC Foursomes. The dedication of Reading Blue Coat’s golfing pupils means that many of them have gone on to pursue the sport at university, notably in Birmingham, St Andrews and the USA.

Says Reading Blue Coat School’s director of Lower School studies, Jon Bruce, who selects and coaches the pupils who represent it at golf: “Playing in the warm weather at Desert Springs offered me an alternative venue to help maintain the enthusiasm of the school’s golfers while providing a valuable opportunity to compete prior to the Regional HMC foursomes semi-final against Seaford College.

Mr Bruce, who describes the facilities at Desert Springs as “excellent,” reports that plans are in hand for a biennial fixture in the resort.

All school golf trips to Desert Springs are bespoke. If desired, the programme can include time away from the golf course for some local sightseeing in what many regard as ‘the real Spain.’

During their stay pupils have opportunities to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, paddle tennis and beach volley ball courts.

Desert Springs is easy to reach from the UK, thanks to three international airports. They are: Almeria Airport, around 40 minutes away by road; Murcia Airport, 80 minutes by car on the new toll motorway direct to the Almanzora Valley (the toll is €11.5), and Alicante Airport which is less than two hours by road. Airlines currently flying to the region from the UK include easyJet, Monarch, Ryanair, Jet2, Jetair Fly and Thomas Cook.

Already well-known as a resort specialising in family holidays, Desert Springs is gaining popularity as a centre for warm-weather training for cricketers and footballers, as well as golfers.

The dates of the next Schools Golf Tournament at Desert Springs are February 25 to 28, 2010.

For details of training camps, sporting breaks – including three-day tuition packages with a professional, some including health and beauty treatments in the Day Spa – and family holidays, call the Cheltenham-based Almanzora Group
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 1242 680 116

Pictured during warm weather football training at Desert Springs are players from Norway’s second division Bryne Fotballklubb.

The warm weather football training facilities at Desert Springs in Spain are the talk of the footballing fraternity in Norway, it seems.

The news follows a visit by Norway’s second division Bryne Fotballklubb to Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course for four days of training and coaching on the first international-size quality grass pitch in the Almeria area of south-east Spain.

The club’s coach, Rolf Teigen, was so enthusiastic about the calibre of the resort, its football pitch, other sports facilities, restaurants and accommodation, that he has pledged to spread the word to other Norwegian clubs.

Mountain biking Bryne Fotballklubb players take a break from warm weather football training at Desert Springs where the packages available include a variety of other sporting and leisure activities.

He said: “I have lots of sporting connections in Norway and when I return for the new season I will be speaking to them about Desert Springs and its first class facilities.”

Mr Teigen said he was hopeful that the Byrne Club would be back in the resort for more warm weather training “in the not too distant future.”

Additional information
Since the Desert Springs football pitch was inaugurated by Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst in 2004, floodlights, shower and changing facilities and a referee changing room have been built.

In response to requests from visiting teams, a new hard standing area provides outside space for facilities such as a free weights gym, stretching mats and a medical area. Recently additional space for goal keeper training and five-a-side games has been added.

Clubs opting for warm weather training packages can make full use of the 18-hole Indiana golf course and enjoy opportunities to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, paddle tennis and beach volley ball courts.

They also have access to the resort’s Private Reserve which incorporates a spa, private sauna and jacuzzi suite, personal fitness workout room, games room with bar, and a home cinema.

Accommodation for players is in the privately-owned apartments, cottages and villas which are available for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs.

If needed, the resort’s executive chef can be on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the resort’s two restaurants – the award-winning El Torrente and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club.

Already well-known as a resort specialising in family holidays, Desert Springs is gaining popularity as a centre for warm-weather training for golfers and footballers, as well as cricketers. For details call the Cheltenham-based Almanzora Group 01242 680116 or visit the website, www.almanzora.com

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 1242 680 116

Cheltenham College Junior School cricketers pictured during pre-season training at Desert Springs in south-east Spain.

Cricketers from Cheltenham College Junior School will return to the Almeria region of south-east Spain in April for pre-season cricket training in the warmth of Europe’s only desert resort for the fourth year running.

The decision follows the success of the last season in which the school’s four top teams – which included 23 players who had trained in Spain – won or drew all but 14 of the 60 games they played against other schools.

This year a squad of 28 selected pupils aged between 11 and 13, as well as eight staff – including three who will be there to hone their own cricket coaching skills – will spend five days at Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course.

Kim Parsley, the school’s assistant head and master in charge of cricket, says the aim will be to enhance batting, bowling, catching and throwing skills.

“We want to improve teamwork fielding as well as details like eye co-ordination, movement, agility, thinking and communication skills on the field,” he said. “Much of that is much easier to achieve in the warm Spanish sunshine than the cold spring weather which is normal in the UK.”

As in previous years, the programme will include time away from the cricket field for games on the nearby Garrucha beach and some local sightseeing in what many regard as “the real Spain.”

Accommodation will be in the nearby Marina Playa Hotel and meals will be taken at Desert Springs in both the resort’s award-winning El Torrente Restaurant and its Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club geared up for a wide variety of leisure activities.

Pupils also will be able to play golf on the 18-hole Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Captain Peter McEvoy.

Kim Parsley believes his school is the only one in Britain arranging pre-season cricket training in this way.

He says: “Unlike schools which take their teams overseas to compete with other schools, our players are all winners because they return from Spain with improved skills and the benefits of one-to-one coaching in a warm and relaxed environment.”

Players who benefited last season included Ben Ringrose, a 13-year-old pupil who was captain of the Gloucestershire Under-13 team and trained at Desert Springs in 2007. As the school’s 1st XI captain during two seasons – and for a tour to Barbados – he scored a total of 1,280 runs, including a record 875 during the summer season of 2008.

“That is a very unusual achievement in the field of prep school cricket,” says Kim.

Already well-known as a resort specialising in family holidays, Desert Springs is gaining popularity as a centre for warm-weather training for golfers and footballers, as well as cricketers. For details call the Cheltenham-based Almanzora Group 01242 680116 or visit the website, www.almanzora.com

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 1242 680 116

A view of Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course where Mankiewicz Coatings is to hold its Annual Golf Challenge following the success of its first corporate golf event for customers.

Bosses of a Leicester firm specialising in the production of internal and external finishes for aircraft have praised Desert Springs in Spain for the calibre of the corporate golf event it organised to help them thank customers for their business.

Roger Fergus, sales manager of Mankiewicz Coatings Aviation Division, who selected Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course for the event, said: “I have attended numerous corporate golf events around the world but I have never experienced such professional organisation as that of the team at Desert Springs.

“Although golf is probably the most popular sport within the aviation industry, this was our first event of this type. The relaxing atmosphere provided the perfect opportunity to build strong personal relationships with our customers.”

The success of the event was underlined by the news that the company has decided to make Desert Springs its ‘preferred venue’ for any future hospitality events of this type.

Two of the firm’s top executives hosted seven customers from the UK and Europe who played golf for two days on the 72 par 18-hole USGA Indiana golf course at Desert Springs. Designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Team Captain Peter McEvoy, the course was inspired by the desert courses of Arizona and California.

The winner of the inaugural event was Chris Ransleigh, managing director of RAS Completions based at Biggin Hill Airport in South London.

Accommodation for customers and staff was in the privately-owned apartments available for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs. Lunches and dinners were served in the resort’s international award-winning El Torrente Restaurant and The Crocodile Club Restaurant and Bar.

Desert Springs’ resort activities and marketing coordinator Kristina Werner says that the cost of an event of this type varies with the range and scale of activities involved. “Typically the cost of a three-night stay, including accommodation and meals, would work out at around €485 per head, excluding flights and transfers” she says.

Additional information about events at Desert Springs
With a variety of venues available at Desert Springs for conferences, product launches and other indoor and outdoor corporate events for up to 500 people, the resort also is becoming a popular destination for incentive travel.

“It’s safe, easy to reach, and offers a unique range of activities and team building experiences,” says resort activities and marketing coordinator Kristina Werner.

“Arrangements are organised by a dedicated coordinator who will manage flights and airport transfers, accommodation, conference and meeting facilities, as well as formal dining and leisure options. These are both cultural and adventurous, ranging from cooking master classes to intensive courses in desert painting and sketching.”

Contemporary art lovers’ packages can be combined with unique adventure experiences. In addition to desert golf they include tuna fishing, clay pigeon shooting, beach safari quad biking and even tank driving.

Desert Springs is easy to reach from the UK, thanks to three international airports. They are: Almeria Airport, around 40 minutes away by road; Murcia Airport, 80 minutes by car on the new toll motorway direct to the Almanzora Valley (the toll is €11.5), and Alicante Airport which is less than two hours by road.

Airlines currently flying to the region from the UK include easyJet, Monarch, Ryanair, Jet2, Jetair Fly and Thomas Cook.

• For more information about arranging incentive travel, a corporate event or a special weekend getaway for two, call Kristina Werner at Desert Springs on +34 618 609 978 or email kw@almanzora.com or visit the website www.almanzora.com

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 1242 680 116

Pictured are players from Shrewsbury Town Football Club using the warm weather football training facilities at Desert Springs which have attracted a Norwegian football club to book a four-day training camp.

Norwegian football club is the latest to sign up

Expansion of the warm weather football training facilities at Desert Springs in the Almeria region of south-east Spain has attracted a Norwegian football club to book a four-day training camp.

Norway’s second division Bryne Fotballklubb established in 1926 will visit Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in March for coaching on the first international-size quality grass pitch in the Almeria area. Since it was inaugurated by Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst in 2004, floodlights, shower and changing facilities and a referee changing room have been added.

In response to requests from visiting teams, a new hard standing area provides outside space for facilities such as a free weights gym, stretching mats and a medical area.

This month the first green shoots of newly-sewn dwarf rye grass are gaining strength from Europe’s warmest winter temperatures to provide additional space for goal keeper training and five-a-side games.

The wide range of resort facilities available influenced the decision by Bryne FK to select Desert Springs for its football training camp.

During their stay players will be able to make full use of the 18-hole Indiana golf course and enjoy opportunities to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, paddle tennis and beach volley ball courts. They will also have access to the resort’s Private Reserve which incorporates a spa, private sauna and jacuzzi suite, personal fitness workout room, games room with bar, and a home cinema.

Accommodation for the players will be in the privately-owned apartments, cottages and villas which are available for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs.

The resort’s executive chef will be on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the resort’s two restaurants – the award-winning El Torrente and the Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club.

Already well-known as a resort specialising in family holidays, Desert Springs is gaining popularity as a centre for warm-weather training for golfers and cricketers, as well as footballers. For details call 01242 680116 or visit the website, www.almanzora.com

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group
Email: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 1242 680 299

Sporting celebrities & legends from the world of Golf, Football, Horse Racing, Snooker, Athletics, Cricket, Rugby and the entertainment industry gathered in support of the Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic Grand Final, presented by joint sponsors talkSPORT Radio and Java Trading Company at the Desert Springs Resort and Golf Club between Thursday 30th October and Saturday 1st November, 2008. The event raised in excess of 70,000 Euros for Leukaemia Research.

Ian Woosnam OBE, Steve Richardson, Paul Way, D.J. Russell, Peter Baker, Jimmy Case, Mick Fitzgerald, Dennis Taylor, Steve Cram MBE, Matt Dawson MBE and Sir Ian Botham himself were just some of the keen celebrities and professional sportsmen at the resort to captain their amateur teams of 3 to compete for this years trophy; playing 36-holes over two days.

Leukaemia Research was established in 1960 and is the only national research charity solely devoted to leukaemia and related blood disorders in both adults and children. The charity is committed to improving treatments, finding cures and learning how to prevent leukaemia, Hodgkin's and other lymphomas, myeloma and other related blood disorders, which are diagnosed in 24,500 people in the UK every year. Its work depends entirely on voluntary donations.

Proceedings commenced on Thursday with a welcome cocktail and BBQ and team draw announcement followed by a fun ‘Casino Evening’ held at the Resort’s ‘Crocodile Club’ to raise money to be donated to Leukaemia Research.

talkSPORT Breakfast radio show presenter Alan Brazil and Current Affairs presenter Jon Gaunt were broadcasting live from Desert Springs during the tournament with talkSport’s Golf Correspondent Rupert Bell patrolling the course on both tournament days carrying out live interviews with the celebrity team Captains during their rounds.

After two competition rounds, the eventual winners with a combined total of 177 stableford points were the team led by former Worcestershire and England criketer Neal Radford, partnered by his two sons Luke and Neal with Norman Emery.

Runners up were the team captained by former Wasps and England Rugby Union player Matt Dawson MBE, with a combined total of 177 stableford points, just one point ahead of the team captained by Sir Ian Botham himself!

The Gala Dinner was held at the award winning El Torrente Restaurant in Desert Springs, entertainment being provided by talkSPORT Radio presenter Alan Brazil, 1985 World Snooker Champion Dennis Taylor and renowned auctioneer Rosa McDermott.

At the Charity Auction held after dinner, some incredible items were on offer including the opportunity to play a round of golf at Desert Springs with 2006 Ryder Cup Captain and US Masters Champion Ian Woosnam OBE, which fetched 5,000.00 Euros and the opportunity to attend a private dinner at Coutts Bank with Sir Ian Botham which made 9,500.00 Euros.

Sir Ian Botham commented: -

‘My decision to select Desert Springs to host the Grand Final of my Charity Golf Series for 2008 was the right one! Having talkSPORT as joint presenting sponsor of this years event with both Alan and Jon broadcasting their shows live from the resort has certainly helped in creating even more awareness for Leukaemia Research and has added an additional fun element to the competition which is what it’s all about.

Considering the times we all find ourselves in at the moment, it is really pleasing that this year we have managed to exceed the funds raised last year, which underlines the success of the event.

The support for the grand final of my Charity Golf Series shown by the Desert Springs Resort and its Owners and Members was wonderful, as was the generosity and support of Java Trading and the commitment from my sporting celebrity friends to give up their time to help raise these vital funds for the Charity, Leukaemia Research, of which I am President. As a result, I am pleased to announce that once again I have selected Desert Springs to host the Grand Final of my 2009 Charity Golf Series.’

Commenting on the Indiana course, Ian Woosnam OBE remarked: -

‘Having last been here in 2004, the first thing I noticed was how mature the landscaping had become. It's a course that provides you with a test for every shot you have in your bag. The course is in immaculate condition with greens of equal quality to those we play our own tour events on.  If you want to hone your game, immaterial of what standard of golfer you are, then this is the place to come!"

Director of Golf, Simon Coaker remarked: -

‘There is no equal to Desert Springs in terms of the quality of the Indiana course and the warmth of welcome offered to our guests. Desert Springs continues to benefit in terms of its reputation for quality and as a venue that can host the most important events, national and international. The success of these newsworthy high profile events brings great prestige not only to the Resort, but also to the local area, the Municipality of Cuevas del Almanzora and the Levante Almeriense as a whole. The confidence in the resort evidenced by Sir Ian in selecting Desert Springs to host the Grand Final of his 2009 Charity Series underlines the growing maturity of the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club on the international scene.’

Celebrity Captains for the 2008 Grand Final

Sir Ian Botham starts his round on the Indiana course at Desert Springs

Ian Woosnam Tees Off on the Indiana course at Desert Springs

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 637 861 591

Pictured is Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Thomas (second from right) with other ‘jump boys’ (left to right) Jody Mogford, Colin Bolger, Alan O’Keefe and Dominic Elsworth at Desert Springs during a special three-day break arranged for the Newbury-based Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) by The Almanzora Group Ltd of Cheltenham.

Irish flat jockey Richard Hughes – son of successful National Hunt trainer Dessie Hughes and currently lying second in the leading jockey league – is among the latest to take a break from the turf to enjoy a stay in Europe’s only desert.

He and jockey Pat Dobbs are among a group following in the footsteps of seven other top jockeys – including this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sam Thomas – who have taken advantage of an exclusive new three-day break scheme. It was launched this year for the Newbury-based Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) by The Almanzora Group Ltd of Cheltenham. The firm offers a range of holidays, golf, spa and fitness breaks 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.

Plans for the scheme, whereby jockeys enjoy free accommodation, were devised by Simon Coaker, director of golf at Desert Springs, and the PJA’s new chief executive, Josh Apiafi.

Mr Apiafi said this week: “I am delighted that members of the Professional Jockeys Association are utilising the amazing facilities at Desert Springs. Our jump jockeys are used to riding in wind and rain throughout the winter so a trip to Desert Springs and its great climate is well deserved. What’s more, I think they will be a few pounds lighter come Cheltenham in March next year!”

Jockey Sam Thomas, who rode Denman to victory in this year’s Gold Cup, described the golf course and the hospitality he and other ‘jump boys’ experienced at Desert Springs as “second to none.”

He said: “We had a fantastic time and the partnership between Desert Springs and the PJA is really appreciated by all the jockeys.”

During their stay, the jockeys played golf on the resort’s 72 par 18-hole USGA Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Team Captain Peter McEvoy.

Also available for their use were the fitness gym and pools as well as massages and other health treatments in the Day Spa. Tennis, mountain bike trail rides, a trim trail and jogging tracks are among other resort facilities.

Accommodation for the jockeys was provided in apartments at Desert Springs. Those who chose to eat out were able to choose between the resort’s international award-winning El Torrente Restaurant, The Crocodile Club restaurant and bar, or numerous tapas bars and restaurants in local villages.

Next year golfing members of the PJA are set to visit Desert Springs which has been selected as the venue for its annual Pro-Am – dubbed the ‘Jock-Am’ – golf tournament.


Background notes for editors:

Desert Springs
Desert Springs is Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain.

The resort occupies more than 300 hectares (750 acres) on an elevated plateau over the Rio Almanzora, near the coast of the municipality of Cuevas del Almanzora.

The first phase of the resort – already up and running – includes the Indiana Desert Golf Course and Club House and its international award-winning El Torrente Restaurant, as well as the Crocodile Club family restaurant and bar, with its pools, sun lawns and sand play bunkers.

Also open is the Sierra Sports and Fitness Club which has facilities for tennis, paddle, gymnasium and football.

At the heart of Desert Springs is its 72 par 18-hole USGA Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Team Captain Peter McEvoy. He was inspired by the desert courses of Arizona and California.

The dramatic nature of the Desert Springs fairways, set in a landscape of cactus, rock and flowering desert, is said to have taken golf in Spain to a new level of excellence.

Golf Club joining fees for Non-resident Membership, for a family of up to four, are waived in the case of Almanzora Bay Group’s own property purchasers.

The club runs a year-round calendar of tournaments for members as well as open tournaments including The Indiana Masters, The Desert Classic and The Professional Challenge Cup. In March, 2007, it hosted - for the second time in three years - Europe’s most prestigious amateur tournament, the King’s Cup - the Copa Del Rey - which is the Spanish International Amateur Open.

From October 30 to November 1 this year (2008) the Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic will be held at Desert Springs. Last year the event raised more than €60,000 for Leukaemia Research and the same charity is set to benefit this year. Sir ‘Beefy’ Botham will be joined by celebrities and professional sportsmen captaining their amateur teams competing for this year’s trophy.

The climate
The resort takes it name from the region’s desert microclimate which is unique in Europe. It has the warmest winter weather on the continent with an annual average of more than nine hours of daily sunshine and maximum daily temperatures of between 16°C (60°F) and 30°C (86°F) throughout the year. Annual rainfall is less than 200 mm. The Almanzora’s coastal waters are among the cleanest and warmest in Europe, attracting both fish and diving enthusiasts.

Getting there
The Almanzora region is easy to reach, thanks to three international airports. The current journey time from Almeria International Airport to Desert Springs is around 50 minutes by road. Other international airports are at Murcia - 70 minutes by car on the new toll motorway direct to the Almanzora Valley (the toll is €11.5) - and Alicante which is less than two hours by road.

A €30,000 sponsorship deal announced today will boost fundraising for Leukaemia Research at this year’s Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic Grand Final at Desert Springs, the family resort and golf club in the Almeria region of south-east Spain.

The international coffee specialist Java Trading Company has linked with talkSPORT – the UK sports and talk radio service which will be broadcasting from the final – to become the second of the sponsors presenting the event later this month.

Java’s managing director Martin Symington says the success of last year’s final at Desert Springs, which his firm sponsored to the tune of €15,000, encouraged him to spend more on it this year. In return, Java gains a package of benefits which includes opportunities to entertain guests at the event which takes place from Thursday, October 30 to Saturday, November 1.

talkSport’s Breakfast radio show presenter Alan Brazil, current affairs presenter Jon Gaunt and golf correspondent Rupert Bell will be broadcasting live from Desert Springs where sporting personalities from the world of golf, football, horse racing, rugby, athletics, cricket and snooker will be taking part. In addition to Sir Ian Botham they include Sir Clive Woodward, Ian Woosnam, D.J. Russell, Paul Way, Peter Baker, Jimmy Case, Vinny Samways, Mick Fitzgerald, Dennis Taylor, Steve Cram and Matt Dawson.

The decision by talkSPORT to broadcast live from the event follows a visit to Desert Springs by Alan Brazil earlier this year. He played on the 72 par 18-hole USGA Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Team Captain Peter McEvoy.

Simon Coaker, director of golf at Desert Springs, said today: “Last year’s Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic Grand Final raised more than £47,000 (€60,000) for Leukaemia Research. We are determined to beat that this year.”

For further information contact: The Almanzora Group
E-mail: tag@almanzora.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1242 680299

The Professional Jockeys Association (The PJA), the body representing Jockeys in British horseracing, is delighted to announce a title sponsor for the inaugural Champions’ Dinner; The Desert Springs Resort. The exclusive evening will celebrate the outstanding achievements of former and current Champion Jockeys on Sunday 9 November 2008 at The Plaisterers’ Hall, London.

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, is extending its current association with The PJA and has generously agreed to become the headline sponsor of the event.   As well as this latest sponsorship, earlier this year The PJA and Desert Springs arranged a new three-day break scheme at the resort exclusive to the PJA membership, as well as becoming the title sponsor of the 2008 Lester Awards ceremony, where PJA members recognise Flat and Jump Jockeys achievements.

Some past and present Champions of the Flat and Jumps who will be attending The Champions’ Dinner in November include; Lester Piggott (1964-1971 and 1981,1982 Champion Flat Jockey), AP McCoy (current and thirteen times Champion Jump Jockey) , Ryan Moore (2006 Champion Flat Jockey), Seb Sanders (Joint 2007 Champion Flat Jockey), Jamie Spencer (Joint 2007 Champion Flat Jockey), Peter Scudamore (1985/86-1991-92 Champion Jump Jockey) John Francome (1975/76, 1978/79, 1980/81-1984/85 Champion Jump Jockey) and Frankie Dettori (1994,1995 and 2004 Champion Flat Jockey).

Simon Coaker, Director of golf & marketing at Desert Springs who will be a guest speaker during the evening, commented “"At Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club our commitment is to exceed our guests expectations with a truly warm and friendly welcome, providing an uncompromising level of service from arrival. We pride ourselves on anticipating what our guests require and delivering what they need.

It has been pleasing for us to see so many Jockeys who belong to The PJA take up their exclusive complimentary invitation to visit Desert Springs and enjoy a well earned break in the sun, whilst benefiting from a variety of exceptional golf, family, leisure and lifestyle facilities. Feedback received from those jockeys who have already visited has further confirmed that Desert Springs is a superb venue and one which benefits members of The PJA.

Our title sponsorship of The Champions’ Dinner further underlines the commitment of Desert Springs to continue to develop and strengthen its commercial partnership with The PJA, whilst also benefitting The Injured Jockeys Fund."

Round of golf hosted by former England cricketer Sir Ian Botham at Desert Springs Resort, during a luxury stay for eight included in Charity auction

An auction of select prizes with proceeds being donated to The Injured Jockeys Fund will also be included during the Champions’ Dinner evening.

One of the main auction prizes kindly donated by The Desert Springs Resort comprises of; a week’s stay for eight in a luxury fairway frontage country villa complete with its own swimming pool, including breakfast at the Desert Springs Resort. The successful bidder will also receive the exclusive opportunity for three guests to play the championship Indiana golf course with cricketing legend Sir Ian Botham, himself a property owner at Desert Springs. Furthermore, the party of eight will be invited to enjoy a private dining experience in the resort’s unique Cave Restaurant on one evening and will receive complimentary use of the resorts golfing, sports, leisure, health and fitness facilities for the duration of their stay.(Subject to terms and conditions).

Josh Apiafi, PJA Chief Executive commented “The Desert Springs Resort is the recommended recuperation and leisure destination for our membership and we are delighted that they have generously agreed to extend their association with The PJA and support this exciting new event. Their donation of a week’s luxury stay for eight at the resort with a round of golf hosted by Sir Ian Botham, which is also included in the prize, is also gratefully received, as it is a very attractive and exclusive offer and the proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Injured Jockeys Fund.

We hope to establish The Champions’ Dinner as a highlight in horseracing’s social calendar with the event providing guests with the unique opportunity to meet with some of our greatest Jockeys of recent times”.

Guests will be welcomed to The Champions’ Dinner with a Champagne Taittinger reception along with the opportunity to rub shoulders and meet with numerous riding legends of the Flat and Jumps. Further former Champion Jockeys who are attending include Willie Carson (1972, 1973, 1978, 1980, 1983 Champion Flat Jockey) Pat Eddery (1998-1991, 1993, 1996 Champion Flat Jockey) Kevin Darley (2000 Champion Flat Jockey), Jonjo O’Neil (1997/78, 1979/80 Champion Jump Jockey) and Stan Mellor (1959/60-1961/62 Champion Jump Jockey). During a three course dinner a past or present Champion Jockey will host each table of guests and share experiences from their remarkable riding careers.

A table at The Champions’ Dinner costs: £2500 + VAT, including 10 guests, a Champion Jockey host and their guest. For full event details, table bookings contact The PJA on T: 01635 44102: champions@thepja.co.uk or visit www.thepja.co.uk

For further information contact: Harriet Rochester
E-mail: harriet@hrsmltd.co.uk
Telephone: 07880 777766