LA CALA RESORT TEACHING PRO HELPS STUDENT QUALIFY FOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

EuroPro Tour golfer Peter Appleyard has credited the Head Instructor at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at La Cala Resort, Quintin van der Berg, with helping him qualify for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Peter, who turned pro in 2003, beat a field of over 3,500 professional and amateur golfers to gain one of the coveted places and after holding the joint lead at one stage with Australian superstar Adam Scott, he missed the halfway cut by only one shot.

Peter was staying on the Costa del Sol last February and browsing the internet when he discovered on the resort’s site, that Spain’s only David Leadbetter Golf Academy was located in the Mijas complex. He booked a series of classes with Quintin van der Berg and described it as a fantastic experience.

Meanwhile, another of Quintin’s students won the under-14 Junior Open played the same week and came sixth in the under-16 event out of 108 promising golfers from 70 countries. Frederik Hildebrandt Hammer who is just 14 years old, plays off scratch and is on the Danish junior team. He has been taking lessons with Quintin since his family bought an apartment at La Cala in January. At the prize-giving ceremony he met the defending Open champion, Padraig Harrington, who went on to successfully defend his title.

*La Cala Resort hosts the Ladbrokescasino.com Masters from September 23rd to 25th and admission is free. The event will also be preceded by a two day pro-am on Sunday, September 21st and Monday, 22nd.

Tags: Championship, Golf Academy, La Cala Resort