Emma Villacieros, former President of the Spanish Golf Federation between 1988 and 2008, has passed away aged 86. Mrs. Villacieros played a leading role in securing golf's readmission into the Olympic Games, was instrumental in the establishment of the Spanish National Golf Centre in Madrid, and helped take the 1997 Ryder Cup match to Valderama. Mrs. Villacieros also enjoyed success as a player and captain. As a player she won the Spanish Amateur Championship on five occasions, and two European Ladies' Team Championship silver medals.
Marion Thannhäuser, who is an Honarary President of the EGA, paid tribute in saying: "Emma was an enthusiastic and devoted Captain. She collected all victories one can achieve in Amateur Golf! She liked to discuss and place ideas to improve always for the better of the game of golf. And she had a good sense of humour as well!"
"To enhance Elite Golf in Spain, in Europe and the whole Golfing World was Emma's goal. She was a unique person and very much respected. Emma dedicated a big part of her life to the Game Golf. She was a dear friend and I will sorely miss her!"