Raquel Carriedo and Carlota Ciganda, two of the leading figures in Spanish professional women's golf today, are at the forefront of a significant group of players vying for their first Spanish Professional Championship title, a tournament held at the Talayuela Golf Course (Cáceres) between April 25 and 27.

The first is more experienced, the second without even a year of professional status, Raquel Carriedo from Zaragoza and Carlota Ciganda from Navarre head a list of contenders for the title that two other golfers present at the Extremadura course have already achieved at the time, Tania Elósegui –winner in the 2007 and 2009 editions– and Ana Larrañeta, who won in La Sella in 2010.

However, the current Spanish Professional Champion, Emma Cabrera from the Canary Islands, will not be present. Last year, also at La Sella Golf, she starred in a spectacular finale when she won by a single stroke over Laura Cabanillas – another of the great contenders for victory in this 2012 edition – and Raquel Carriedo, who were tied for second place.

Not surprisingly, with the exception of the 'quartet of Americans' – Azahara Muñoz, Beatriz Recari, María Hernández and Belén Mozo, all of whom have commitments outside our borders – the vast majority of Spanish golfers who regularly participate in the Ladies European Tour will meet in Talayuela.

AROUND THE GREEN

Carlota Ciganda, to complete the list of winners

Carlota Ciganda, from Navarre, arrives in Talayuela with the challenge of finally securing the Spanish championship title that has eluded her, the professional one. The young golfer from Ulzama boasts the best amateur record in the history of Spanish women's golf, having already amassed Spanish championship titles in the Benjamin, Alevín, Cadete, Sub 18, Junior, and Absolute categories. A victory in Talayuela would complete a record that no one in Spain has yet achieved.

Young talents to watch closely

Aside from the more experienced professional players, Talayuela boasts a group of promising young golfers. This includes Adriana Zwanck, Mireia Prat, Mariana Macías, Patricia Lobato, and others, all with the potential to cause an upset and contend for the overall victory in the 2012 Spanish Women's Professional Championship.

A spectacular show to start with

The first day of the tournament (April 25) features three particularly spectacular matches, one of them being the early morning encounter (9:30 a.m.) between Tania Elósegui and Carlota Ciganda, who know each other well from their amateur days. Nine minutes later, Laura Cabanillas and Carmen Alonso – two other serious contenders for the title – take to the court, while at 9:48 a.m., Raquel Carriedo and Adriana Zwanck, a clash of experience and potential, are scheduled to tee off.

Online results in www.rfegolf.es

The Spanish Women's Professional Championship taking place in Talayuela can be followed live through the official RFEG website., www.rfegolf.es, where all fans will have up-to-date information on the development of the competition.

Talayuela, high-level golf in the La Vera region

The Talayuela Golf Course, originally designed by Severiano Ballesteros, boasts a highly engaging layout that promises exciting play. Nestled in a natural meadow dotted with oak and holm oak trees, with breathtaking views of the Sierra de Gredos mountains, its 18 holes offer numerous strategic possibilities that will incentivize competition. To play aggressively or conservatively, that is the question.