NEWS
Date of release: October 20, 2008
JOCKEYS DECLARE NEW THREE-DAY
SPANISH BREAK SCHEME A WINNER
Irish flat jockey Richard Hughes ? son of successful National Hunt trainer Dessie Hughes and currently lying second in the leading jockey league ? is among the latest to take a break from the turf to enjoy a stay in Europe?s only desert.
He and jockey Pat Dobbs are among a group following in the footsteps of seven other top jockeys ? including this year?s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sam Thomas ? who have taken advantage of an exclusive new three-day break scheme. It was launched this year for the Newbury-based Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) by The Almanzora Group Ltd of Cheltenham. The firm offers a range of holidays, golf, spa and fitness breaks at Desert Springs, Europe?s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain.
Plans for the scheme, whereby jockeys enjoy free accommodation, were devised by Simon Coaker, director of golf at Desert Springs, and the PJA?s new chief executive, Josh Apiafi.
Mr Apiafi said this week: ?I am delighted that members of the Professional Jockeys Association are utilising the amazing facilities at Desert Springs. Our jump jockeys are used to riding in wind and rain throughout the winter so a trip to Desert Springs and its great climate is well deserved. What?s more, I think they will be a few pounds lighter come Cheltenham in March next year!?
Jockey Sam Thomas, who rode Denman to victory in this year?s Gold Cup, described the golf course and the hospitality he and other ?jump boys? experienced at Desert Springs as ?second to none.?
He said: ?We had a fantastic time and the partnership between Desert Springs and the PJA is really appreciated by all the jockeys.?
During their stay, the jockeys played golf on the resort?s 72 par 18-hole USGA Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Team Captain Peter McEvoy.
Also available for their use were the fitness gym and pools as well as massages and other health treatments in the Day Spa. Tennis, mountain bike trail rides, a trim trail and jogging tracks are among other resort facilities.
Accommodation for the jockeys was provided in apartments at Desert Springs. Those who chose to eat out were able to choose between the resort?s international award-winning El Torrente Restaurant, The Crocodile Club restaurant and bar, or numerous tapas bars and restaurants in local villages.
Next year golfing members of the PJA are set to visit Desert Springs which has been selected as the venue for its annual Pro-Am ? dubbed the ?Jock-Am? ? golf tournament.
PRESS RELEASE
Date of release: October 16, 2008
GOLF SPONSOR BOOSTS BOTHAM?S CHARITY FUNDRAISING BID AT DESERT SPRINGS IN SPAIN
A ?30,000 sponsorship deal announced today will boost fundraising for Leukaemia Research at this year?s Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic Grand Final at Desert Springs, the family resort and golf club in the Almeria region of south-east Spain.
The international coffee specialist Java Trading Company has linked with talkSPORT ? the UK sports and talk radio service which will be broadcasting from the final ? to become the second of the sponsors presenting the event later this month.
Java?s managing director Martin Symington says the success of last year?s final at Desert Springs, which his firm sponsored to the tune of ?15,000, encouraged him to spend more on it this year. In return, Java gains a package of benefits which includes opportunities to entertain guests at the event which takes place from Thursday, October 30 to Saturday, November 1.
talkSport?s Breakfast radio show presenter Alan Brazil, current affairs presenter Jon Gaunt and golf correspondent Rupert Bell will be broadcasting live from Desert Springs where sporting personalities from the world of golf, football, horse racing, rugby, athletics, cricket and snooker will be taking part. In addition to Sir Ian Botham they include Sir Clive Woodward, Ian Woosnam, D.J. Russell, Paul Way, Peter Baker, Jimmy Case, Vinny Samways, Mick Fitzgerald, Dennis Taylor, Steve Cram and Matt Dawson.
The decision by talkSPORT to broadcast live from the event follows a visit to Desert Springs by Alan Brazil earlier this year. He played on the 72 par 18-hole USGA Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Team Captain Peter McEvoy.
Simon Coaker, director of golf at Desert Springs, said today: ?Last year?s Sir Ian Botham Charity Golf Classic Grand Final raised more than ?47,000 (?60,000) for Leukaemia Research. We are determined to beat that this year.?
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