Next month the LACOSTE PROMESAS qualifying trials begin. This year, the rules have changed, and players can choose where to participate—based on proximity to their home or vacation location—without being required to compete at the course of their corresponding regional federation; however, they will only be allowed to participate in one trial.

The La Cañada Golf Club in Guadiaro (Cádiz) will host the first qualifying round on Tuesday, August 23rd and Wednesday, August 24th, open to anyone spending their summer holidays in Andalusia. After two days of 18-hole medal play, the first and second place finishers in the scratch category – two boys and two girls – from each qualifying round will win a spot in the Final, which will feature a total of 20 promising young golfers.

All players up to and including the Cadet category, with a maximum handicap of 11.4, will have the opportunity to participate in the Lacoste Promises Final in November in La Manga, where they will spend two days with Miguel Ángel Jiménez, José María Olazábal, and Nacho Garrido. Furthermore, Lacoste will provide the official apparel for the 2005 Lacoste Promises champions for one year.

Galician Marta Silva and Basque Juan Francisco Sarasti were the first Lacoste Promises champions. Juan Francisco finished with a fantastic eagle on the 18th hole at La Manga to secure the victory: “I had a great time. Olazábal, Jiménez, and Garrido are really nice people both on and off the course. I learned a lot from their advice, especially to always look for the simplest shot, play with humility, and not put my opponent in a difficult position; that's what I've applied most of everything they taught me, and it's been very useful, since this year I've played with the national team in the World and European Championships; and this summer I'm going to participate in the British Boys Championship and also the Carris Trophy.”.

Marta had a very close final with Carlota Ciganda, who started with a one-stroke lead, but the Galician player holed out three times from off the green to secure the victory: “I was thrilled to win, although what I was most looking forward to was meeting Chema, Miguel Ángel, and Nacho. I had a great time, and they taught us a lot. To get where they are, you have to work very hard, and that's what I've done this year, which has been fantastic.” Marta won the Doral Publix Junior Classic in the United States and is the current Spanish Cadet Champion. For all her achievements, she was honored by the Xunta de Galicia (Galician Government) with the “Galician Revelation” award.

LACOSTE PROMISES CALENDAR 2005
August 23 and 24, La Cañada Golf Club (Cadiz)
September 10th and 11th, Mondariz Spa Golf Club (Pontevedra)
September 17th and 18th, Señorío de Zuasti Golf Club (Navarra)
September 24th and 25th, Golf Sant Joan, Rubí (Barcelona)
October 1st and 2nd, Las Pinaíllas Golf Club (Albacete)
FINAL: November 5th and 6th, La Manga Club (Murcia)