HAVANA, Cuba – On May 2nd, 2009, Palmares SA, the organization responsible for golf in Cuba, will host the inaugural Montecristo Cup (www.themontecristocup.com) at the Varadero Golf Club (www.varaderogolfclub.com) in Varadero, Cuba. This competition is expected to be Cuba’s biggest international golf tournament and will be the pre-qualifying event for the Cuban Open in 2010.
The main event will be held on Saturday May 2nd at the Varadero Golf Club. Limited to 72 competitors, the 18-hole tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 9:30am. Both amateur and professional golfers are welcome to test their skills on the Varadero beachfront golf course and the winner will receive the opulent Montecristo Cup and a guaranteed place in the 2010 Cuban Open.
The awards dinner will take place following the competition at Xanadu Mansion which was built in 1930 and was once the luxurious residence of the Dupont family and is located within the grounds of the Golf Club. Professional golfers Tony Jacklin and Ernie Els will be guests of honour.
On Sunday May 3rd, there will be a 9-hole Cuban Junior competition for the Esencia Cup. In an effort to encourage the game of golf among the younger Cuban generation, a group of local youths under the age of 17 will be coached and mentored by a PGA Golf Professional in the game of golf prior to the event. A select group of 12 juniors displaying the most remarkable skill will be invited to compete for the Esencia Cup. The tournament will consist of three four balls, followed by the trophy presentation by the British Ambassador to Cuba, Dianna Melrose.
The Varadero Golf Course is a par-72 course running 6,856 yards (6,269 meters) and features several salt water lakes that connect directly with the sea, a rare feature in golf course design. This is the first and (currently) only 18-hole Cuban golf course, designed by Canadian golf architect Les Furber (once an associate with Robert Trent Jones), which offers luxurious surroundings and an entertaining round of golf, both for beginners and experts. The course hosted two European Challenge Tour Grand Finals in 1999 and 2000.
The main sponsor of The Montecristo Cup is Habanos SA, the world leading premium cigar company and purveyor of the famous Montecristo brand. Other supporters include Havana Club, Bucanero Beer and Sol Melia Hotels. In addition, the weekend event is being supported and co-managed by Esencia Hotels and Resorts, one of the supporters and developers of golf in Cuba.
For more information and to register please visit: www.themontecristocup.com
Special arrangements have been made for accommodation with Sol Melia Hotel in Varadero. For information about travel arrangements and hotel rates please contact Cuba Direct by visiting www.cubadirect.co.uk or call The Montecristo Hotline: +44 20 7148 5591.
