2010 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final Highlights Future Golfing Champions

Junior golf is proving to be a game open to up and coming young stars from across the world.

Hosted by its founder, the six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo - The 2010 Faldo Series Final, an R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking tournament, saw 76 competitors from 18 different countries playing. Faldo gave players expert advice and support, which obviously paid off for Masamichi Ito when the 14 year old became the first Japanese golfer to win the Faldo Series at Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzhen, China.

The fourth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final was played under strict tournament conditions over three rounds on the Faldo Course. Boys and girls played from different tees with the Faldo Series Asia challenge trophy presented by Faldo to the player with the lowest gross score.

Masamichi Ito, who last year became the youngest player to make the cut on the Japan Golf Tour lived up to his reputation with rounds of 75, 70 closing with a three under par 69 and beat Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Chi Hsien with a birdie four. Close on Ito’s heels was determined 2008 and 2009 Faldo Series Asia champion Rashid Khan, 18, from India. Khan became the first back-to-back victor in Faldo Series Asia history last March when he birdied the closing hole of the 54-hole Grand Final which he credits Faldo for his form. Khan was hoping to achieve three Grand Final victories in a row but ended up third.
The Girls’ prize went to Thailand’s Thidapa Suwannapura, who had rounds of 72, 74 and 74 and lead from start-to-finish to claim a two shot victory over Liu Yi Chen from Chinese Taipei. England’s Holly Clyburn, the English and French Under-18 champion, shared third place with Chinese Taipei’s Chien Pei Yun on ten over par 226.
The five age-category winners, three boys and two girls, have been invited by Faldo to compete in the 2010 Faldo Series European Grand Final to be held on the Faldo Course at the Lough Erne Resort, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, on September 21st. The overall Asian champion, boy and girl, will also be invited to play in a flagship event on the Asian Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

Will these juniors eventually become tomorrow’s golf stars?

2010 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final Highlights Future Golfing Champions

Junior golf is proving to be a game open to up and coming young stars from across the world.

Hosted by its founder, the six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo - The 2010 Faldo Series Final, an R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking tournament, saw 76 competitors from 18 different countries playing. Faldo gave players expert advice and support, which obviously paid off for Masamichi Ito when the 14 year old became the first Japanese golfer to win the Faldo Series at Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzhen, China.

The fourth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final was played under strict tournament conditions over three rounds on the Faldo Course. Boys and girls played from different tees with the Faldo Series Asia challenge trophy presented by Faldo to the player with the lowest gross score.

Masamichi Ito, who last year became the youngest player to make the cut on the Japan Golf Tour lived up to his reputation with rounds of 75, 70 closing with a three under par 69 and beat Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Chi Hsien with a birdie four. Close on Ito’s heels was determined 2008 and 2009 Faldo Series Asia champion Rashid Khan, 18, from India. Khan became the first back-to-back victor in Faldo Series Asia history last March when he birdied the closing hole of the 54-hole Grand Final which he credits Faldo for his form. Khan was hoping to achieve three Grand Final victories in a row but ended up third.
The Girls’ prize went to Thailand’s Thidapa Suwannapura, who had rounds of 72, 74 and 74 and lead from start-to-finish to claim a two shot victory over Liu Yi Chen from Chinese Taipei. England’s Holly Clyburn, the English and French Under-18 champion, shared third place with Chinese Taipei’s Chien Pei Yun on ten over par 226.
The five age-category winners, three boys and two girls, have been invited by Faldo to compete in the 2010 Faldo Series European Grand Final to be held on the Faldo Course at the Lough Erne Resort, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, on September 21st. The overall Asian champion, boy and girl, will also be invited to play in a flagship event on the Asian Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

Will these juniors eventually become tomorrow’s golf stars?

Fit for Golf

Like most sports, golf is very physical and it’s well known that golf puts a lot of stress on the body. Your body has to be fit to play at your best and by doing some easy golf exercises, you will bring benefits into your game. Medical experts have advised that getting fit for the game of golf will increase endurance, boost strength and flexibility – vital for improving your swing and will also have an impact on your overall enjoyment of the game.

The effects of not properly exercising or warming up before a round of golf is shown time and time again through common complaints such as a sore lower back or shoulder after playing. Other symptoms can be pain in your muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. The list of injuries from swinging a club is huge. By not warming up properly and preparing your muscles before a round may cause a nagging injury.

When putting and swinging you need to maintain a particular body position which is difficult to hold unless you have strength. Golfers can suffer from aching lower backs after only 10 mins because their muscles are weak. The solution is exercise and increasing your fitness and then you should be able to practice for about an hour and not feel any pain.

Remember - golf causes injuries to bodies that are not properly warmed up so limber up and start your fitness programme and you should also improve your game too.

Golf and flexibility go hand in hand. If your muscles are tight and not flexible you, will have reduced range of motion and a short swing. Pro golfers have amazing range which is down to their increased flexibility in their shoulders, torso, and hips. With a bit of extra skill thrown in of course!

There are plenty of exercise plans you can try, go online or why not pop in and see your golf professional or gym trainer for advice.

For comprehensive golf insurance view Golfplan’s range of PGA Recommended policies here

Fit for Golf

Like most sports, golf is very physical and it’s well known that golf puts a lot of stress on the body. Your body has to be fit to play at your best and by doing some easy golf exercises, you will bring benefits into your game. Medical experts have advised that getting fit for the game of golf will increase endurance, boost strength and flexibility – vital for improving your swing and will also have an impact on your overall enjoyment of the game.

The effects of not properly exercising or warming up before a round of golf is shown time and time again through common complaints such as a sore lower back or shoulder after playing. Other symptoms can be pain in your muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. The list of injuries from swinging a club is huge. By not warming up properly and preparing your muscles before a round may cause a nagging injury.

When putting and swinging you need to maintain a particular body position which is difficult to hold unless you have strength. Golfers can suffer from aching lower backs after only 10 mins because their muscles are weak. The solution is exercise and increasing your fitness and then you should be able to practice for about an hour and not feel any pain.

Remember - golf causes injuries to bodies that are not properly warmed up so limber up and start your fitness programme and you should also improve your game too.

Golf and flexibility go hand in hand. If your muscles are tight and not flexible you, will have reduced range of motion and a short swing. Pro golfers have amazing range which is down to their increased flexibility in their shoulders, torso, and hips. With a bit of extra skill thrown in of course!

There are plenty of exercise plans you can try, go online or why not pop in and see your golf professional or gym trainer for advice.

For comprehensive golf insurance view Golfplan’s range of PGA Recommended policies here

Historic Sun Valley Resort - A National Treasure in Idaho

The difficulty level in planning a family vacation that pleases everyone often ranks around 9.5 out of 10. The Sun Valley Resort, in Idaho, has such a variety of top shelf amenities and activities, which should rank it near the top of all resort destination lists, that it greatly reduces family trip planning difficulty.

An All New Nine

In 2008, the resort opened a new nine holes, to add to its 18-hole championship golf course. The new nine, designed by golf course architect Don Knott, features challenging golf and breathtaking, panoramic views of the Northern Rockies that envelope the resort. An all new clubhouse, which doubles as the Nordic Center in winter, also opened in 2008. For guests who can't squeeze in 18-holes, or a quick nine, Sun Valley Resort has enhanced their golf practice facility. They now offer clinics as short as two-hours, as well as private instruction and a driving range for individual practice.

Golf is only the beginning of Sun Valley Resort's activities. The resort was the first to bring the look, feel and mystique of European ski resorts to America. Since 1936, the resort-goers have enjoyed world-class skiing on the 9,150 foot summit of Bald Mountain, as well as on the beginner-friendly Dollar Mountain.

Ice Skating Year-Round

The country's first ski destination also boasts the country's first year-round outdoor skating rink, allowing guests to skate under the sun, even during the hottest of summer days. Sun Valley's ice-skating rink has been named to Budget Travel's Top 10 list. Home to legendary ice shows that feature Olympic medalists and greats such as Scott Hamilton, Nancy Kerrigan, Sasha Cohen and the Canadian team of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, Sun Valley's outdoor rink rests in the heart of the resort and offers spectacular views of the majestic mountains. The resort's ice skating complex also features an indoor rink for organized hockey.

According to Sun Valley's General Manager, Wallace Huffman, "Generations have enjoyed skating on our outdoor ice rink and it's an honor to be recognized as one of the country's top skating destinations. While the ice shows have drawn national attention, it's the countless guests who've enjoyed the rink that's most gratifying."

In addition to skiing, ice skating and golf, Sun Valley is flush with activities from horseback riding and hiking/biking, to an acclaimed tennis facility and gun range. The resort's Symphony Pavilion plays host to the Sun Valley Summer Symphony and other outdoor events.

What Else Could There Be?

Although too numerous to list everything else the resort provides, here is a short sampling of things that make Sun Valley Resort one of the most family-friendly destinations in the world:

•The Playschool - A full-service, licensed day-care center

•Young Summer Camp - Kids age 6-14 enjoy supervised swimming, ice skating, hay rides, barbecues, fishing, horseback riding, and tons more

•Sleigh Rides

•Ice Skating School/Lessons

•Salon and Day Spa

•Swimming and Fitness Center

•Movie and Opera House

It seems that any time is the right time to visit Sun Valley Resort, Idaho.

Image Courtesy CarolineJoan.

Hilton Head Island Golf Vacation - Southern Beauty, Family Fun, Fantastic Golf

Among the eastern United States' great family vacation destinations is Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Hilton Head is also known for its great golf. Home to the PGA TOUR's Verizon Heritage, Harbor Town Golf Links leads a host of other great courses that are complemented by a wide variety of activities the whole family will enjoy.

When entering the island, which measures 12 miles from heel to toe, vacationers will be struck initially by the lack of visible commercialization. Although a family vacation and tourist destination full of every convenience imaginable, planners succeeded in keeping the signs so plentiful and visible everywhere else from easy view. All business signs, such as restaurants and shopping centers, are kept at eye-level, which succeeds in making the island less commercial and more naturally beautiful.

Hilton Head Island Golf

On Hilton Head and in the surrounding area, there are literally dozens of great courses to play, which causes some difficulty in deciding where to tee it up. The most widely acclaimed is, of course, Harbor Town Golf Links. Located in the Sea Pines area of the island, this course provides spectacular views of Calibogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as lots of the native flora. As it is a PGA TOUR venue, it is immaculately maintained and deserving of it's high rating. If you plan to play, contact the course well in advance of your arrival to secure a tee time. Expect to pay upwards of $200 for the privilege.

The Palmetto Dunes area of the island is home to three courses by famous golf course designers; the Robert Trent Jones Course, the Arthur Hills Course; and the George Fazio Course. They are within a few minutes of each other and located approximately in mid-island. Palmetto Dunes has beachfront and beach view lodging and dining for any budget, as well as activities for the kids. The location and amenities makes Palmetto Dunes a great place to stay and play on the island.

Lodging and Activities

Few places so beautiful have as much to offer by way of golf and other activities as HHI. When looking for places to stay on on the island, expect to pay more than you would in the surrounding areas; however, it is worth the extra money to experience the island's beauty and activities. Several rental companies can provide great lodging referrals and reservations to fit most budgets. Island Getaway, a vacation rental company, has access to numerous locations and the staff are friendly, courteous and willing to assist with any question or concern.

Everyone has different shopping tastes and Hilton Head has something for everyone. From the Shelter Cove Mall, which contains a Saks Off 5th Avenue and other national stores, to the outlet malls just off the island, to the numerous boutiques and shops throughout, no shopping taste will go unsatisfied.

For golfers, Golf Outfitters and Golf Headquarters are two popular HHI golf shops. The two golf retailers have a full selection of golf equipment from Adams, to Callaway, to Taylor Made. Both also offer golf club rental and golf equipment rental in case you can't bring your clubs along.

In short, if anyone in your family loves golf, Hilton Head Island is a great choice for your next family vacation. The golfers and non-golfers alike will have a spectacular time.

Golf Insurance – An Essential Part of your Kit?

As a golfer, you are faced with choices and decisions at every hole you play. You will already have made some decisions on your choice of equipment – your irons, a particular putter, your favourite driver and undoubtedly a comfortable pair of shoes. Depending on your ability and experience, you will favour some brands over others and will mix and match your combinations of equipment to suit your style of play and ability.

Rain suits are essential and electric trolleys are being encouraged by many to take the strain and help avoid injury – but all of this specialist equipment comes at a price. It is estimated that your average golfer is carrying in excess of £2,000 of equipment – but what happens if you lose some of your equipment, or worse still, the whole lot courtesy of an opportunist thief?

Depending on the circumstances of your loss, you may think…or hope…that your household policy will cover you. In most situations this is not the case and even if you had specified it an individual golf insurance policy will offer you more protection than just theft of equipment.

Apart from protecting you from theft, a decent golf insurance policy should also include the following:

 A minimum of £5 million of public liability cover
 New for old cover – regardless of the age of your equipment
 24 hour theft from car cover
 Worldwide cover if you’re planning a golfing break overseas
 Golf club membership fees covered in the event of illness or accident – on or off the course

The next time you go through your equipment checklist, think about protecting yourself from these risks if you haven’t already done so.

Golfplan is recommended by the PGA and has ben taking of UK golfers for more than 27 years. Compare our policies with our competitors here, you will find fewer restrictions with Golfplan when compared with cheaper providers who are able to offer cheaper premiums by restricting cover. Always check the smallprint before committing to a policy and ask any provider specific questions to ensure you understand what you’re buying.

Check out our market leading cover and policy options here