Brazilian stages of the traditional amateur tournament are an evidence of the golf expansion in Brasil
The practice of golf in Brasil is clearly expanding. And it involves both the Brazilians – who are more and more interested in the modality – and international tourists who discover outstanding courses to play in the country, with wonderful landscape and outstanding hotel infrastructure. The increased number of tournaments that places the sport on the spot is a clear evidence of that. That is the BMW Golf Cup International, with four stages in Brazil in 2008, a nice illustration of that phenomenon.
From September 26 to 28, the Graciosa Country Club, of Curitiba (Paraná) hosted the Brazilian qualifying stage of the BMW Golf Cup International 2008 – a competition designed by the German automotive assembler in 1982. Considered as one of the major amateur golf circuits in the world, the event mixed competition, high standard attractions and entertainment.
All over the world, the BMW Golf Cup International relies on the participation of around 120 thousand golf players in 42 countries. The winners from each country will compete in the world final at the Jockey Club, one of the most traditional and important golf clubs in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is the very first time that the world final will be hosted by a South American country.
The stage in Paraná defined the last Brazilian finalists who will compete in the Terravista Golf Course, in Trancoso, Bahia, to participate in the global final. The finalists of the other three stages held at Ipê Golf Club (Ribeirão Preto – São Paulo), São Fernando Golf Club (Cotia – São Paulo) and Itanhangá Golf Club (Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro) will also compete in the Brazilian final. Altogether, 700 golf players, 5 thousand members and about 4 thousand guests of those four clubs will participate in the event.
Additionally to the opportunity of playing in Trancoso and then represent Brasil in a world tournament, the participants of the BMW Golf Cup International 2008 can win a BMW motorcycle or car, if the player makes a hole in one.
In the stage at Itanhangá, the golf player Massafumi Wakabayashi made a hole in one in the hole where the car was at stake. As suggested by the player, and jointly decided by the BMW and the event organization, the club and the tournament participants, the car will be donated to a charity entity.
Additional information at www.golfecia.com.br/bmw and www.bmw-golfsport.com.
(Information from Golf & Cia)