Proud days at Maria Garcia Estrada Memorial Tournament

For the record, Spanish professional golfer Pablo Larrazabal led the winning quartet in the 2010 Maria Garcia Estrada Memorial Pro Am tournament at Abama Golf, but there were so many winners as 134,000 euros was raised for the Maria Garcia Estrada Foundation.

This was the third running of the event to commemorate the life of Santa Cruz born Maria, who died of cancer in September 2005 at the age of 24. Top names from Spanish golf descended on Guia de Isora for the 2 day competition on 8th and 9th January as good company, good golf and a good cause all came together.

WINNERS
The winning team was led by Pablo Larrazabal and included Anton Brufau, Jose Carceller, and Demetrio Carceller. They finished on 51 shots, 4 better than the runners up, led by professional Eduardo de la Riva, Carmen Alonso, Jose Rodriquez, Gonzalo Fernadez-Castaño, and Carlos Rodiles, who all tied on 55 strokes.

Among the visiting players was Joan Laporta, President of Barcelona football club, he arrived a few days before his team were due to play CD Tenerife in Santa Cruz. He thoroughly enjoyed the competition and took the opportunity to get to know the family and friends of Maria Garcia Estrada, and learnt more about the work the foundation has been doing.

BIDDING FOR GLORY
The grand total of 134,000 euros raised, included 18,830 euros from a star studded auction held before the event. On offer were football shirts donated by Christian Ronaldo and Leo Messi, but the big money went on a signed Sergio Garcia golf bag 3,000 euros and a staggering 4,500 euros for the tennis shoes worn by Rafa Nadal in Spains recent Davis Cup triumph.

A big thanks must go to the main sponsors, Tenerife Tourism and Abama Golf Resort, as well as everyone who supported the event.