The 13th edition of the Simone Thion de la Chaume Trophy took place at Chantaco Golf course in Saint Jean de Luz, France, from the 6th until the 8th of April 2011.
Under the friendly smile of Simone Thion de la Chaume, wife of the legendary René Lacoste and pioneer of the French and European women golf, senior international players competed during 3 rounds of stroke play, a cut after 2 rounds qualifying the best 60 players.

Created in 1999 by Catherine Lacoste, in honour of her mother, this international senior open hasn’t stop tending towards the highest level while respecting the tradition of golf. In 10 years, the limit of index of the players has been divided by 2 (today the limit is 9,4), and the number of participants has been limited due to the increasing number of requests.
Before each edition, the players look forward to knowing the colour of the Lacoste tournament shirt: it sets the tone of the competition and is the subject of a large number of guesses from one year to the next.
The Trophy of the Tournament is entrusted for one year to the winner. Virginie Burrus, France, became the winner for the third time of the 13th edition at Chantaco Golf as she has won the last three editions (Palmares: 2009, 2010 and 2011).
This edition was even more exceptional as the happy winner got a special stay & play weekend package at Arcos Gardens. Congratulations Virginie!

Starting in July 2011, Arcos Gardens will be offering children between the ages of 7 and 13 years old, the chance to participate in a summer camp where they can take adventage of the resort's first class personnel and facilities.
The camp will be mainly focused on learning golf and the Spanish language, both through classes and direct experience. In addition, campers will also have the chance to enjoy other on site activities and sports, like swimming, tennis, biking and horseback riding, as well as participate in day trips designed to bring the children closer to the culture and beauty of Andalusia.

With this initiative children will have the opportunity to learn golf at one of the best courses in all of Europe. Already the site of a European Challenge Amateur and a European Tour Qualifying School event, Arcos Gardens is also the winter home to many of Europe's leading Golf Federations.

Another unique feauture of this programme is the special offer for parents to come and stay at Arcos Gardens, whether it is for a weekend or a longer stay, to enjoy the resort's accommodations and amenities all at special reduced prices. Let your children enjoy such a great experience!

For Summer Camp information & reservations, please contact:
Contact: Cristina Mora-Figueroa - Telephone: (+34) 607 800 108 - Email: cmora@grupofmf.com

The majority of holiday home owners do not have the opportunity to use their property for more than 4 weeks. Therefore, shared or fractional ownership is the perfect solution for those wanting a second home without the responsibility or expense that comes with maintaining a property all year around.
With Fractional Ownership, you have the opportunity to buy 3 and 6 weeks use per year in our luxurious, high specification, four bedrooms with four en-suite bathrooms Villas Jacarandas situated on the front line of our championship golf course.

Each owner retains full freehold rights to the property for their respective share. Just as with whole ownership, shares can be sold or bequeathed at any time.
There are no restrictions only benefits. All running and maintenance costs are equally shared amongst the owners, substantially reducing the burden of owning your own holiday home.

In addition you have will have all the benefits of being a fractional owner. Some of the benefits include:

� Full freehold rights to the property
� Golf Club Memberships for two people during his/her stay
� Membership in The Registry Collection
� Full on-site property management services with shared maintenance costs
� Ability to participate in the rental program

Priced at �125.000 per three weeks share or �235.000 per six weeks share, now is the time to find out what it is like to be an owner at Arcos Gardens.

For more information regarding our Shared Ownership packages please feel free to contact us by phone + 34 956 701 694 or via email at fractions@arcosgardens.com

Festival de Jerez 2011 is confirmed as today's largest flamenco dancing showcase. Different trends come together on the bill of the fifteenth edition, which is to be held from February 25th to March 12th, 2011.

The program opens with the premiere of �Danzacal� by the Antonio el Pipa Company and closes with Eva Yerbabuena�s new show, �Cuando yo era��. Between both shows, there will be over fifty performances such as �En la horma de sus zapatos� by Isabel Bay�n, �Tranquilo alboroto� by Rub�n Olmo, �Suspiro flamenco� by Manuela Carrasco, �Tres� by Bel�n Maya, ��ngel� by �ngel Mu�oz and �Cambio de tercio� by Nuevo Ballet Espa�ol. The bill of this fifteenth edition is completed by cante recitals, concerts, workshops, encounters with maestros and the training program, which offers over a thousand places to students from all over the world.

Theatre, music, dance and flamenco make up the programme of the Villamarta Theatre in the centre of Jerez. This cultural centre is not only home to the Jerez Flamaneco Festival, but also hosts yearly festivals dedicated to the theatre, ballet and opera and festures big names from the national and international circuit.

Festival de Jerez 2011 Performance Schedule at Teatro Villamarta (Jerez):

25.02.11. 21:00 hrs. - Compa��a Antonio El Pipa
26.02.11. 21:00 hrs. - La Farruca
27.02.11. 21:00 hrs. � Ballet Shoji Kojima Flamenco
28.02.11. 21:00 hrs. � Compa��a de baile Javier Bar�n
02.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Compa��a Rub�n Olmo
03.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Compa��a Javier Latorre
04.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Isabel Bay�n Compa��a Flamenca
05.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Miguel P�veda
06.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Compa��a Rosario Toledo
07.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Olga Pericet
08.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Compa��a Manuela Carrasco
10.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Compa��a Mercedes Ru�z
11.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Compa��a Rojas & Rodriguez. Nuevo Ballet Espa�ol
12.03.11. 21:00 hrs. - Eva Yerbabuena Ballet Flamenco

If you want to learn more about the XV Festival de Jerez, please visit the web site www.festivaldejerez.es

Let's Go!

The Formula one circus arrives in Jerez. Our readers will be glad to hear that Jerez will once again be hosting a pre-season testing session on the weekend of 10th to the 13th February 2011 at the Circuito de Jerez. Although many are counting down to the season-opening Bahrain GP in March, there's plenty going on in the world of F1 before we hit the desert.

McLaren's new car will be launched on 4th February in Berlin ahead of a track debut in the second pre-season test at Jerez. McLaren has revealed Lewis Hamilton will be at the wheel of their 2011 car when it makes its track debut at Jerez on February 10. Hamilton will sample the MP4-26 on the first day of the test before handing the car over to team mate Jenson Button for the second day of running at the Spanish circuit.
Spain is probably the warmest European country, so it makes sense testing in Jerez Race Track. Plus Spain is fun!

As usual the testing sessions are open to the public and are a great opportunity to grab a slice of F1 action at a fraction of the normal cost. Entrance is 10 euros for general entrance or 20 euros for a VIP ticket which gives you access to the stand by the pits. Children between the age of 3 and 14 years pay half price.

Tickets must be obtained at the circuit box office on the day of testing (tickets cannot be purchased in advance). The box office is open from 8 am; testing takes place from 9 am to 5 pm with public admittance from 10 am to 5 pm. For more information, visit www.circuitodejerez.com

If you are planning to be in the area for the 4 days Pre-Season Testing, enjoy our special "February Favourite Package" at Arcos Gardens and don't miss the opportinity to see the big F1 teams up close. It only takes 15 minutes to drive from Arcos Gardens!
For Reservations: E-mail: recepcion@arcosgardens.com - Telephone: +34 956 704 131

Arcos Gardens is pleased to announce the building of the new sports facilities on site in January 2011, to be completed for the next spring. This exciting build underlines our confidence in the future of Arcos Gardens and our pursuit of excellence in all areas, golf, residential, hotel and sporting, and our determination to provide the very best facilities for our residents, members and visitors.

The building will include 2 artificial grass tennis courts with glass fencing, 2 artificial grass paddel with glass fencing, an artificial grass multi-activity zone for playing and a playground area for children.

The new sports area will be sited close to the pool area of the Cortijo Fain and the Club House, and the facilities are expected to be fully operational in May 2011.

We are excited to expand and improve our facilities to assure we can meet the future needs of our exclusive community

Arcos Gardens presented an exhibition of paintings by Spanish artist Kim Soler, emtitled "Entre Luces y Sombras". The exhibition was held from 1st October 2010 to 3rd October 2010. We had a wonderful evening viewing Kim�s paintings and many admirers visited our Cortijo Fain and appreciated the artist works.
Kim Soler presented a selection of his work and the exhibition featured 50 paintings from his collection, revealing his indisputable savoir faire, his skill and his profound knowledge when it comes to creating new colours.

We have had such a great feedback from all the visitors to the exhibition and they very much enjoyed the event.

The 19th of December the Arcos Gardens ´team enjoyed one more year of the Christmas Staff Party celebrated in Maintenance warehouse.

The players of the Staff Tournament 2008 at Arcos Gardens were the first ones beginning the event. At 8:00 they were ready for the tee-off.

The Barbecue started at 14:00 followed by a party where the team of Arcos Gardens were eating, drinking, singing and dancing until 19:00.

The karaoke, the gifts ´draw, the Christmas presents and the Director´s speech, Ashley Northridge, were some of the most intensive moments experienced in the event.

An honourable mention deserve the winners of the competition: Ismael Jaen, Golf Department (18 holes competition) and Breogán Peña, Golf Maintenance (9 holes competition).

Congratulations both of you!

The blonde bunker faces of Arcos Gardens have arrived early this year.

This intentional effect is created to make a contrast between the bunker faces and the lush green over seeded fairways and roughs and we hope you like this as much as we do.

So how do we do it? Well the course as two different types of grass, the base grass is our summer grass and is called Bermuda 328. During the winter this grass goes dormant and turns golden. To prevent the entire course going golden we over seed the golf course during the winter with rye which is a dark green coloured cool season grass but we do not over seed the bunker faces. This year due to an unusual early cold snap which has seen us having several frosts the Bermuda has turned dormant much earlier.
During the spring the Bermuda grass wakes up again and this contrast disappears for another season.

We hope you enjoy our blonde bunkers faces the time you play!

The blonde bunker faces of Arcos Gardens have arrived early this year.

This intentional effect is created to make a contrast between the bunker faces and the lush green over seeded fairways and roughs and we hope you like this as much as we do.

So how do we do it? Well the course as two different types of grass, the base grass is our summer grass and is called Bermuda 328. During the winter this grass goes dormant and turns golden. To prevent the entire course going golden we over seed the golf course during the winter with rye which is a dark green coloured cool season grass but we do not over seed the bunker faces. This year due to an unusual early cold snap which has seen us having several frosts the Bermuda has turned dormant much earlier.
During the spring the Bermuda grass wakes up again and this contrast disappears for another season.

We hope you enjoy our blonde bunkers faces the time you play!

Arcos Gardens has lived up to its billing as one of the world’s most exciting new communities by winning “Best Development Spain” and winning the only ‘Gold’ awarded in this category at the Homes Overseas Awards 2008. The ceremony took place at Grosvenor House, London on the 28th November and they are the only international property awards were every nominated development is visited by a judge. In addition, Arcos Gardens picked up a Silver Award for the best Worldwide Golf Development. We are pleased to celebrate these achievements for our residents as recognition of our pursuit to develop excellent facilities surrounded by a world class golf course and the finest homes and service.

Christmas time is coming and Arcos Gardens is ready and willing to make you enjoy it.
Come and celebrate the season with our delightful Christmas menu.

For more information and reservations please call: +34 956 704 131

Mr. & Mrs. Gassmann are the first German residents in our wonderful Arcos Gardens residential community. Klaus and Uta first visited Arcos Gardens three months ago and they fell in love with the setting, which combines the tranquillity of the area with a strategic location, and an exceptional golf course surrounded by thousands of olive trees. They are a lovely family wishing to move here shortly to enjoy all our facilities. We are expecting to receive many German visitors in the near future because they are recommending Arcos Gardens to all their friends and partners as they are experiencing something really different.

The gala dinner on 17th May at the Warner Studios in Hollywood was a wonderful success, raising a total of US$ 1,603,877 for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a new record.
The extraordinary annual collection of some of California's leading wineries and the world's top celebrity chefs is helping to lead the fight against cystic fibrosis. Over the past 18 years, the Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters has raised nearly $16 million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The mission of the CFF is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. The event began eighteen years ago when Los Angeles residents Barbara and Allen Balik created a wine tasting and auction to benefit the CFF’s research and care programs. Today, “A culinary Evening with the California Winemasters” has evolved into one of the country’s largest single-day events and one of the top wine-related fundraisers.

It is an exciting event with wineries and great auctions items to bid on, all to benefit the CFF.
Condé Nast Johansens in cooperation with specific Spanish Luxury Hotels offered a wonderful hotel and trip package to visit Spain and get a chance to taste the best Spanish wines. Arcos Gardens has donated a delightful weekend package to enjoy our resort including a round of golf and a guided visit of the sherry wineries.

The CNJ package was sold, also at a record price, for US$ 32,000. All this money will be spent on CF research. There was such excitement about this amazing package. The interest in visiting this wonderful part of the world is just enormous.
The name of the highest bidder is JEFF REFOLD. He is well known in US TV circles, as the manager of Ryan Seacrest, the host of the American Idol programme, which it is the top programme in the US, and is into its seventh season.

On the picture, David Dixon (to the left) with Ashley Northridge, Director Hotel & Golf in Arcos Gardens.

We are proud to announce that David J Dixon will be representing Arcos Gardens as Touring Professional for the 2008 season.
David qualified last November with a full playing card on the European Tour and is planning to compete in a busy schedule of around 25 events this year.
He will be displaying the name of Arcos Gardens on his golf bag and in return David and his team plan to visit Arcos Gardens regularly for training purposes.

David has a strong amateur record and turned professional in 2002. Last December he finished tied 6th in the Dunhill Championship in South Africa.
On behalf of the management and our members we would all like to wish David a very successful season and we will all be out there supporting you.
You can follow his progress on the European Tour website www.europeantour.com or on his personal website www.davidjdixon.co.uk

Ashley Northridge
Director of Hotel & Golf- Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate

The 17th of January, the owner and member Esteban Vigo received a great surprise. His family and the staff of Arcos Gardens wished him a loud Happy Birthday! That secret party was organized by his wife, Genni.

We wish you a very happy day!

Homes Overseas Awards 2007:
BEST WORLDWIDE GOLF DEVELOPMENT - GOLD AWARD

The 2007 Homes Overseas Magazine Awards – the Oscars of international real estate - and the only global property awards where every short-listed entry around the world is visited by judges were announced in London this month.
Arcos Gardens has lived up to its billing as one of the world’s most exciting new communities as it has been named as the “Best Worldwide Golf Development - 2007” by winning the only ‘Gold’ awarded in this category.

The awards are particularly pleasing for the developers of Arcos Gardens, Grupo Novaterra, as they are recognition of the quality and standard of this unique resort in the untouched countryside of the Costa de la Luz. Situated close to the vibrant city of Jerez, Arcos Gardens provides luxury two bedroom townhouses and three to four bedroom villas carefully placed around 440 acres of olive groves and rolling Andalucian countryside.

CEO of Grupo Novaterra, Fernando Mora Figueroa, comments: “The land that Arcos Gardens is built on has been in my family for many years and from the start, our pursuit has been to develop excellent facilities surrounded by a world class golf course and the finest homes and service for our residents. We now have residents from over 10 countries and in its first year our golf course has been chosen as a venue for the European Tour qualifying.”

For media information and images please contact:
Philip White: +44 (0)1306 746028, or visit www.arcosgardens.com

Arcos Gardens offers a new service; the Conference Rooms.

The Conference Rooms at Arcos Gardens are the perfect venues for you to host your important guests and clients or to hold a private meeting. We offer warm quite rooms situated in the beautiful Cortijo Faín, with secure parking and personal service.

Water and coffee is served during your meeting and lunch can also be taken with a set menu choice of fish or meat.

And for a break and a bit of fresh air why not have a golf clinic or simply hit some balls on the Driving Range.

Arcos Gardens; where work and pleasure merge together.

Arcos Gardens Golf Club and Country Estate
Best Spanish Development & Best Spanish Golf Development

Arcos Gardens has lived up to its billing as one of Spain’s most exciting new communities as it has been named as the country’s Best Development and Best Golf Development at the 2007 International Property Awards, held on Friday 14th September at The Marriott Grosvenor Square.

The awards are particularly pleasing for the developers of Arcos Gardens, Grupo Novaterra, as they are recognition of the quality and standard of this unique resort in the untouched countryside of the Costa de La Luz. Situated close to the vibrant city of Jerez, Arcos Gardens provides luxury two bedroom townhouses and three to four bedroom villas carefully placed around 440 acres of olive groves and rolling Andalucian countryside.

CEO of Grupo Novaterra, Fernando Mora Figueroa, comments: “The land that Arcos Gardens is built on has been in my family for many years and from the start, our pursuit has been to develop excellent facilities surrounded by a world class golf course and the finest homes for our residents. We now have residents from over 10 countries and in its first year our golf course has been chosen as a venue for the European Tour qualifying.”

First days of Spring in Arcos Gardens. One the best seasons to visit Arcos de la Frontera and enjoy the beautiful weather. Wild flowers are starting to bloom. Come and enjoy the season.

It was horse racing time of year again at the famous Horse Races of Sanlucar, where all horse lovers and aficionados turn their eyes to this beautiful location along the Cadiz coastline. The beaches of Sanlucar de Barrameda have been used since 1845 for the celebration of horse races during the month of August. Every day, below a spectacular sun set amidst a lively atmosphere, various prizes are competed over. Access is free, and bets are taken over a flurry of excitement before each race.

50 years after the celebration of the first Tall Ships Race the port of Cadiz was once more again the centre of attention for all Sail Training Ships.
The fleet set sail from Saint Malo (France) where the first race officially started off Torbay, taking the boats to the finishing line in Lisbon. From the Portuguese capital, ships and crew enjoyed a cruise in company to Cadiz and then another to our twin city La Coruña where the last leg of the race will start, with the fleet finishing in Antwerp (Belgium).
During its time in Cadiz (26th – 29th of July) the 50th Anniversary Regatta joined crews from five continents who arrived aboard their countries Sail Training Ships to share with us their legacies and customs.
The Port area was converted into a cultural meeting place where the tall ships joined Cadiz by sea with the rest of the world.

A blog describing this beautiful corner of the rural Cádiz countryside called Arcos de la Frontera. A peaceful town with narrow and cobbled streets settled on a hillside where mankind has refined the art of living over thousands of years. The town's beauty has inspired many visiting and local artist alike. Also the human face of the town: simple and friendly people. Greetings from Arcos.

Here, nature and history have combined to create a land of great fascination and beauty. As we walk, we discover jewels of nature - as the image shows-, the flora and fauna of this exclusive community and our connection with the natural world.

Stunning views from the road as you drive between Zahara and Grazalema, some of the prettiest villages in rural Cádiz. You can reach the road on the way into Grazalema from El Bosque. 2 km outside the village is the turning on the left.

A good scenic drive is between Algar and Ubrique through the natural park of Alcornocales. Go past Algar and at the end of this road take a left and follow this for an hour until you arrive at one of Spain's capital of leather manufacturing, Ubrique. Overall from Arcos Gardens, takes about 2 hours and there are stunning views and a wonderful Venta at the Jimena turning for refreshment.

At 1700 metres above sea level is el Torreon in the middle of one of the most scenic natural parks in Spain, Sierra de Grazalema. A full moon and beautiful sunrise was worth the hike and the cold night! You can reach the summit of the highest mountain in the Sierra from the road between Benahoma and Grazalema. You have to pass Benahoma and as you do you will pass a camping on your left. Keep going until you reach a shaded parking area on your right. The path is on your left, and the walk takes 3 hours.

For beach lovers, windsurfers and those looking for tranquility, there are few better beaches on the Costa de la Luz than Bolonia.

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Arcos Gardens Concierge Services received good news last week with the formal appointment of Francisco Boza as Logistics Manager.

Francisco will be in charge of all client liaison and itineraries, and will report into Head of Marketing Paul Jessup. The team will grow over the course of the next few months with an anticipated hiring of chauffeur and team assistant to assist all visiting clients with their needs and help establish the systems and processes required to deliver the levels of service for residents from June onwards next year.
The service will be especially important for clients wanting to feel part of the real Spanish community quickly, as Francisco explains: "The real Spain here in the heart of Andalucia, rural Cadiz, has limitless possibilities for incredible experiences the existing tourist destinations simply do not offer. The current problem is that they are quite inaccessible to people who do not know the area. AGCS is all about uncovering these hidden gems to allow
clients to feel part of this real Spain, and doing it in an effortless, but caring way." Francisco knows all about serving high end customers after a couple of years experience working in a busy high end London restaurant
before he returned home to Seville with his English wife and young kids. "I feel it is my duty," explains Francisco "to strive for excellence in all areas of the services we offer here at Arcos Gardens." We welcome Francisco (Kiki to many of his friends) back to his homeland and have no doubt that
his quest for excellence will be realised. Francisico will share his time between onsite his responsibilities with CEO Fernando More-Figueroa.

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There has always been a special carnaval tradition throughout the history of Arcos de la Frontera bringing us back to the times of the coplillas sung by the popular murga and comparsa groups. This year, The Arcos carnival was hold from Saturday 25th February to Sunday 5th March and the beginning was proclaimed by the local festival opening speech. At the “Carnival of Coplas” gala, hold in a large marquee, and open to the public, the audience could enjoy two of the best comparsa and chirigota groups from the Cádiz Carnival, along with local groups. Kilos and kilos of cracklings and litres and litres of beer were distributed for everyone.

Another of Arcos Carnival events that has to do with food is the Ajo Molinero food tasting event, which is prepared by the women of the Historical Quarter. The kids dressed up and marched through the town to the marquee. Another of the highlights of the Arcos Carnival is the election of the Molineras (queen of the Carnival). These representatives of Arcos women are elected during Carnival and keep the title for a whole year during all the fiestas that take place in the municipality. Arcos Carnival winds up with its Float parade.

Last Thursday thousands of children of Arcos turned out to enjoy the traditional and much anticipated Three Kings Day celebrations, which seem to grow every year with more floats, more children and more sweeties, but with the same magic and excitement as always.

Their Majesties, the Three Kings of the East paraded through the streets of Arcos, watched eagerly by the children, delivering 10.000 kilos of sweets and 8.000 of soft toys. The parade started at five o’clock and this year the floats were illuminated for the first time, so that they could be seen even in the darkest areas of the route.
Twelve floats participated in the parade, mostly inspired by the latest children’s movies and popular cartoon characters, and the Three Kings rode in open-top vehicles.
King Melchor was represented by Fernando Mora Figueroa, President of Landmark Spain, the developers of Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate.

Last Saturday more than 20.000 visitors from the whole Andalusia were attracted to walk in the cobbled streets of Arcos de la Frontera to observe the renowned Living Nativity, which this year was the fifteenth edition.

The Living Nativity in Arcos is the oldest one celebrated since 1980 and this year marked the 25th anniversary of the first stage.
Living Nativity involves over 400 people, actors for a day, and they represented 31 traditional Nativity scenes where the Historical Quarter Belén is transformed into the land of the Hebrews in just 5 hours.
The involved actors invited to taste some traditional Spanish Christmas sweets such as “manteca colorá” (red butter), “pestiños” and “buñuelos”.
Colourful scenes and brilliant lights illuminated Arcos streets, offering a touch of charming to people walking around the town, to remember us which special period we are living.
Arcos was the first example to celebrate Living Nativity for other local towns such as Jédula and Ubrique.

A unique way to get in the mood for Christmas is to visit the “belén viviente” in Arcos de la Frontera. It is a delight to walk around the cobbled streets of this historical town at any time of year, but for one evening in December, there is a very special kind of magic in the air.

A live nativity is staged in the main square of the old town; tonnes of earth, goats, sheep, cattle, horses and donkeys are brought in to set the scene, and locals dress up to act out real life scenes from times gone by. Furthermore, biblical stories and events can be seen through the open doorways of many private homes, which are redecorated for the occasion and give an insight into the large hallways and high ceilings, which hide behind the normally closed wooden doors that line the narrow streets. This event will take place this year on Saturday, 17th December from 18:30 hrs.