- Wednesday 10th March 2010
R&A-supported Copa los Andes concludes in Paraguay
Golf Development - 07 Dec, 2009
Each year, since 2002, the Copa los Andes receives a grant of £28,000 to help with the organisation of the competition.
The R&A-supported Copa los Andes concluded in Paraguay last weekend. Over four days, ten South American countries competed against each other at the Yacht y Golf Club in Asunción, with Argentina securing first place in both the men’s and women’s events.
Each year, since 2002, the Copa los Andes has received a grant of £28,000 to help with the organisation of the competition, a figure which represents approximately 25% of The R&A’s annual spend in the region. The remaining sum is distributed amongst all ten participating countries in the form of coaching grants.
Although Argentina won both events this year, the standard of golf exhibited by all the teams was very high. Watched by the Paraguayan PGA Tour player, Carlos Franco, the home nation was especially impressive in the women’s competition, finishing just one point behind the eventual winners. For a country of so few golf courses to have Argentina so close is remarkable.
And with the game continuing to develop throughout the continent, the level of competition is likely to increase once again at next year’s Copa los Andes in Chile, and the 2010 World Amateur Team Championships, to be held in Buenos Aires.
During their visit, Keith Hodgkinson, Chairman of The R&A’s Golf Development Committee, and Alison White met with officials from each country to talk about how R&A grants are being used to encourage greater participation and develop promising South American golfers.
“The standard of play at the Copa los Andes continues to improve year on year amongst all of the competing nations,” explained The R&A's Golf Development Officer, Alison White. “We always look forward to coming to South America for the event to meet with officials from participating nations whilst watching some great golf.”
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