“WE’VE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF TOURNAMENTS BY 25%”

The Royal Andalucian Golf Federation’s seniors committee – presided over by Francisco Cervilla – has noticeably boosted its activities this year. It has also introduced a series of changes and improvements to provide this group of golfers, possibly the largest in the federation, with more and better-organised tournaments.

What specific functions does the committee have?

- Mainly – but not only – we are involved with the organisation of our circuit, which comprises several tournaments, at least one in each Andalucian province. This year we’ve added three new competitions, one sponsored by the Costa del Sol Patronato de Turismo (Tourism Promotion Board) and a match against the Valencia region. In total, there are 25 per cent more tournaments than last year. Participation in these has also grown by 20 per cent.

We are also involved with other matters. For example, we’ve suggested that a formula be found that enables players 70 years and over to compete in seniors tournaments in the same conditions as those who are only 55. We want to do this with the national federation so that it’s not only an Andalucian initiative, but for the whole country, or at least in those regions that want to follow it up.

This year, the seniors committee also has a position reserved for foreigners, the main objective being to arrange events between communities of residents from different countries.

- How many seniors are registered with the Andalucian federation?

- We represent more than 42 per cent, so the weight of this group within the federation is considerable. I would also add that many clubs rely heavily on the involvement of seniors; that they are the ones with more time available to play, more time to spare at the clubs, and with their economic situation resolved.

- How many foreigners are on your committee?

- We are five people in total: the president, a national referee, a member from Sevilla, a Briton and a Scandinavian. This means we can offer 90 per cent of the foreigners living in Andalucía the possibility of contacting us in their own language. The committee does, I believe, faithfully represent senior golfers in our region.

Changes to the Circuit

“I would like to respond, if you will allow me,” says Francisco Cervilla, “to some of the complaints we have received arguing that we don’t have enough tournaments for seniors, bearing in mind their influence. In this respect, I should point out that, in addition to our tournaments, we can take part in many others organised by the federation; we are not just limited to the 13 we organise ourselves.

“This year we’ve introduced a lot of changes to the circuit. These include changing the category limits so that low-handicap players can compete in the same conditions as those with higher handicaps, and two scratch prizes for men and women have become official, which will encourage the top players.

“We’ve also changed the classic prize-giving cocktail reception, which was a bit meagre and feeble, with a formal seated meal. This will have to be subsidised by the seniors committee, but I believe it is worth it.

 

“Another initiative introduced this year is the centralisation of entries and formation of matches within the federation, so that the clubs where we play don’t have to take care of that. It will be done in a professional and clear manner, in order to avoid any suspicions over the formation of groups.