OVERSEAS GOLFERS (English)

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Elections for presidency of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation

The candidate, Eugene Reviriego, proposes closer relations, integration and collaboration among the overseas golfers community living in Andalucía

Eugenio Reviriego, a former director of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, intends to submit himself as a candidate for the position of the Presidency of the Royal Andalucian Golf Federation (RFAG) in the election to take place later this year (date to be announced).

The RFAG is the not-for profit governing body for golf in Andalucía. It exits to preserve and protect the traditions of golf whilst monitoring the rules of golf and equipment standards. It also maintains a National Handicap and Course Rating Systems, and provides referees for all official competitions played within the Andalucian community.

The RFAG also organizes the Andalucian amateur championships calendar and organizes several championships for each of the categories of members namely, Mens, Senior Mens, Womens and Children.

Andalucía is the home to more than ten thousand overseas golfers who currently have little or nothing to do with the RFAG or its activities. Eugene´s primary objective is the closer and better relationship of the RFAG with all overseas golfers. He feels there are many advantages to both the overseas golfers and RFAG in expanding the role of the RFAG to include all the overseas golfers in its current and enlarged number of activities.

He believes that the opportunity of the forthcoming elections should be taken for the role of the RFAG to be re-examined with an invitation being extended to all those overseas golfers who have not been involved with the RFAG to become more closely involved and to restructure the organization as necessary.

In the event that he is elected then he would endeavour to implement the Proposals shown on the attaches Summary.

 Interview published in several golf magazines

 In addition of the extensive electoral program, his candidacy is endorsed by a broad background and extensive experience of over 25 years in almost all areas of the golf industry. Industrial Engineer by profession and a Masters in Nuclear Energy in the U.S., Eugenio Reviriego was managing director of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande for thirteen years and Victoria Golf Club in the Algarve in Portugal for two years. He has also done several studies and technical consulting advisory services to various entities in the golf industry. He is an international referee for the last eighteen years, with good knowledge of English and member of La Cañada Golf Club with a handicap of 8.5. Close to his retirement, he is committed to restructure the Federation, providing all his dedication and extensive experience in golf.

Mr Reviriego, Can you explain your proposals for the foreign golfers’ resident in Andalucía?

Many of the amateur golf players in Andalucía are foreign nationals. Many, if not most, have fixed their residence here during most of the year. They play regularly in the Andalucian countryside and have a high representation as members of some golf clubs. However, most of them are not members in the RFAG and therefore, are not integrated in official competitions or activities organized by both their respective clubs and the Andalucian Federation itself. Our candidature, as showed in the above Summary of the Decalogue of Proposals, proposes to work towards closer institutional relations with the foreign community living in Andalucía. Our desire is to let them participate and collaborate more as Federation’s members, in its mission, activities and events, and of course in the governing body of the Federation. For example, a way of encouraging social contacts with the foreign group is to establish and organize exchange groups with their clubs of origin.

Do you know the opinion of foreign golfers about their current relationship with the Federation?

I have spoken with many of them and they always tell me that the Federation has never approached them for any kind of collaboration or to program joined activities. Most of them do not obtain the Federations license because they see no advantage in doing so. It doesn´t make sense for them to pay an annual license fee when they barely have any connection or service from the Federation, and many of them only live in Andalusia a few months a year. That is why, in most of the clubs where they play, they do not join competitions. They just play with friends and in organized groups, but always outside the Federation. Our intention is to get their integration as members in competitions and activities organized by the RFAG, as this will no doubt enrich the Federation.

Do you know of any organized group of golfers where foreigners and Spanish play together?

Two months ago I had the opportunity to participate in the final tournament organized by of the Seniors Golf Association of Andalucía (ASGA), in the Santa Clara Golf Club in Marbella. This association has nothing to do with the Federation. The organization is successfully managed by its president Francisco Cervilla. I think he has done an excellent job in bringing together a group of 500 senior players from many different countries, including about 200 foreigners, all integrated in a common goal "to have fun playing golf", in a healthy and friendly environment. I could see how, with the necessary effort, you can achieve the participation and integration of foreign golfer practicing their favorite sport together with the Spanish.

What message would you give to foreign golfers residing in Andalucía?

I can assure you that if we get elected, we will work with them through their representatives aiming at the largest number of foreign players to join the Federation. We are convinced that their participation is very convenient for the Federation as it will enrich it with their knowledge, either in their participation in tournaments and other activities or through the integration of their representatives in the governing organization of the Federation to coordinate the activities of their groups.
I ask the actual Federation´s members foreign golfers and residents in Andalusia for their participation in the forthcoming elections to the General Assembly. If you agree with our program, I ask your support to fulfill our vision of full integration.

Your comments and suggestions are very welcome