A Brand New Event Launched in Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica (September 30, 2008) – The Costa Rica Golf Classic’s inaugural edition was officially presented during a press conference held earlier today in San Jose. To be hosted by Reserva Conchal GC, December 11-14, the US $125,000 event will be the final stop in a series of three events co-sanctioned by the Tour de las Americas and the Canadian Tour.
“Because of the brand new Costa Rica Golf Classic, we are ecstatic to announce that our nation is back in the international golf scene,” said Alfredo Sasso, President of Afrasport, the local company promoting this event. “It makes us really proud to be the first to organize an event of this caliber to the province of Guanacaste (located in Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast), where golf is in constant development thanks to top level golf courses such as Reserva Conchal, which will act as our host venue.”
In Costa Rica to attend this press conference and to make a site inspection on Wednesday, the Tour de las Americas Commissioner Henrique Lavie told the local media in attendance: “This first edition of the Costa Rica Golf Classic marks a new start in the relationship between our Tour and your nation. We are extremely positive about the reach of this new venture, which allow us to come along with our partners from the Canadian Tour.”
The Costa Rica Golf Classic will be the Tour de las Americas’ 2008 season finale and the last of three events starting the 2009 season for the Canadian Tour, which is coming to this beautiful and peaceful Central American nation for the first time ever.
“To Reserva Conchal and the Paradisus Playa Conchal Hotel it is a huge honor to host an event as prestigious as the Costa Rica Golf Classic. This is the first time an event of this caliber is staged in the province of Guanacaste and we are delighted to have it at our Robert Trent Jones II designed golf course,” commented Carlos Hernández, the Reserva Conchal Director of Operations.
According to Afrasport’s Vice-president Ricardo Valdivieso, there will be a minimum of 136 players coming from all over the Americas to compete at this event. “We are pleased to extend special exemptions to the two best players in our country. I’m referring to the Central America Amateur Champion Alvaro Ortiz and to our best local pro Alejandro Duque,” announced Valdivieso.
There will be four other spots available for Costa Rica citizens or legal residents during a 36-hole qualifying tournament to be played November 2-3 at Cariari CC. The qualifier will be conducted by the Costa Rica Golf Association (ANAGOLF) on behalf of Afrasport.
TLA Golf – TLA Site Inspection - Reserva Conchal GC, Costa Rica
TLA Commissioner Impressed by Reserva Conchal GC
Reserva Conchal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (October 2, 2008) – TLA Commissioner Henrique Lavie visited Reserva Conchal on Wednesday to inspect the course that will host the inaugural Costa Rica Golf Classic, December 11-14. The US $125,000 professional tournament will be co-sanctioned by the Tour de las Americas and the Canadian Tour.
The scenic 6,956-yard par-71 impressed Commissioner Lavie. “As a Robert Trent Jones II designed course Reserva Conchal has impressed me deeply. Its outstanding beauty and design will allow us to set it according to the demands of an event of this caliber,” commented the TLA Commissioner.
This event will happen to be the first time an official TLA event will be staged in a golf course designed by the famous Robert Trent Jones II. “This is one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever seen in Central America. I’m sure it will be in great shape for our final event of the season. The TLA and its players feel honored to wrap up our year in a venue like this,” added Mr. Lavie.
Joining the TLA Commissioner during the site inspection was Manuel Jimenez, a notable local amateur and member of the Reserva Conchal Board of Directors. He made it clear the hosts are ecstatic to welcome their first international event since opening its doors back in 1996.
“This is a very important event for Reserva Conchal. Right from its construction, our championship course was meant to host a big tournament and the time has finally arrived. I believe it’s going to be great event and hopefully the local and international golf community will embrace it,” commented Mr. Jiménez, whose expertise as a golfer will allow him to conduct the course set up over the next couple of months.
Reserva Conchal is located in the province of Guanacaste on Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast. Making it here only takes a short 45-minute flight from the capital city of San Jose or a one-hour car drive from the International Airport in Liberia. If coming by car from San Jose it takes about five hours to reach this stunning venue.
