Nuno de Brito e Cunha knows the ins and outs of the Real Club Valderrama very well, as he has been a member since shortly after it was acquired by its founder, Jaime Ortiz-Patiño. A native of Cascais and an outstanding amateur player, his love for golf was instilled in him by his father -a golf enthusiast- almost from the cradle. The young Nuno learned the sport so well that he became Champion of Portugal on more than one occasion and represented his country in World and European championships. He first visited the Sotogrande area in the 60’s when he participated in a Spain-Portugal tournament and his love affair was immediate. His great work as president of the most famous and prestigious golf club in Spain has been widely recognized by the members, who have supported with their votes his third term at the head of RC Valderrama.
-What do you enjoy most about your job as club president?
-To see how members are enjoying the Valderrama course and club more and more.
-And what are you least excited about?
-Certainly the fact that some members don’t fix the bunkers on the greens. We know this is a common problem in many clubs and we are working to eradicate it. It seems we need to remember that it only takes 15 seconds to fix a divot.
-What has been your happiest moment at the helm of the Presidency?
-When we members bought the club in 2018.
-Your favorite hole and why.
-Hole 4, for its beauty and the strategy it requires.
-Of all the great golfers who have played at Valderrama, with whom would you like or would you have liked to play a round?
-No doubt with Seve Ballesteros; I never had the opportunity to play with him. Also with Tiger, of course.
-What are the requirements to become a member of the Real Club Valderrama?
-Apart from financial consideration; to be submitted by two club members and approved by the board of directors.
What has it meant to bring forward the dates of the tournament and the entry of Estrella Damm as the main co-sponsor of the Andalucía Masters this year?
-The entry of Estrella Damm has been an essential step forward for the tournament to grow and continue to position itself as one of the highlights of the European Tour. We are very grateful to Estrella Damm for their support and their commitment to this event.
– The intention of the Regional Government of Andalusia, as stated by its Vice President and Minister of Tourism, is to continue sponsoring the tournament. Is an agreement that guarantees this already signed?
-As you say, Mr. Juan Marín has already confirmed that the Junta de Andalucía was very satisfied with the impact of the tournament and that it would continue to support it. At the moment we are working with them on the new agreement and we hope to present it very soon. In the Council of Tourism they know that golf has a great weight in the Andalusian economy and that there are competing destinations like Turkey that have a Rolex Series in spite of being a country with scarce golf tradition.
– Real Club Valderrama’s goal is for the Estrella Damm Andalucía Masters to become part of the Rolex Series, for which it would have to distribute a minimum of seven million dollars in prize money (this year the tournament’s prize money was three million euros). What do you think are the chances of achieving this in the short term?
-It has always been one of our objectives and from the Board of Directors of the Club we will continue working to attract sponsors. What we have clear is that only we will be able to elevate the Masters to category of Rolex Series with the support of the public institutions, the private sponsorship and, very important, with the support of the great stars of our sport in Spain.
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