Andalucía Golf Challenge fills Playa Serena with 103 players

The Andalucía Golf Challenge returned to Playa Serena for a new event of the SAN MIGUEL XVI CIRCUITO ANDALUCÍA GOLF CHALLENGE COSTA DEL SOL DESTINO REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA BY GLOBALIA, played on Saturday 11 July 2026 on one of the most warmly welcomed courses on the calendar. It was a full house, with 103 players who enjoyed a superb day on a course in perfect condition and with excellent greens.

Playa Serena, an always welcome return

Returning to Playa Serena is a pleasure for the Andalucía Golf Challenge: it is one of the most cooperative and welcoming courses on the entire circuit. The team led by its director, Javier Martín Mendoza, made everything easy and thoroughly enjoyable, both in the organisation of the event and in the care of the participants.

The shotgun start at 9:00 in the morning allowed the competition to run at a perfect pace. Players found a course presented in perfect condition, with excellent greens that drew plenty of praise throughout the day.

Refreshments and a first-class cocktail reception

At the refreshment stand by the 10th tee, participants were treated to montaditos along with San Miguel beers and Solán de Cabras water, a welcome stop under the Almería summer sun. The sponsors’ touches once again accompanied every stretch of the course at this Andalucía Golf Challenge event.

The cocktail reception was, once again, one of the best you can enjoy at the Andalucía Golf Challenge, courtesy of Almería’s first Michelin Star chef, José Álvarez, and the dedication of Liberio Florescu, in charge at the Club. The culinary offering was the perfect finishing touch to a flawless morning of golf.

Prize-giving and a minute of silence

The presentation of the prize-giving featured the participation of the Club’s president, Miguel García Soriano. Before the winners were announced, a minute of silence was observed for the victims of the terrible fire that struck the Los Gallardos area the previous day.

After the prize-giving and the winners’ group photo, a gift raffle was held that brought to a close an Andalucía Golf Challenge day that was as competitive as it was heartfelt.

Winners of the Andalucía Golf Challenge at Playa Serena

The scratch winner of the event was Juan Enrique Martínez Huot, with 35 scratch points. These were the podium standings by category:

First Category

1. Juan Antonio Luque Jiménez — 40 points
2. Francisco Gutiérrez Medina — 38 points
3. Manuel Gutiérrez Sánchez — 38 points

Second Category

1. Pedro Francisco Sánchez Martínez — 42 points
2. Javier López Gómez — 39 points
3. Ainoha Manzano Lucas — 39 points

Closest to the pin prizes

• Hole 2 (Bridgestone Tiger balls): Francisco Barranco de Cara
• Hole 8 (San Miguel): Mario Pomares Amat
• Hole 11 (Grupo La Navarra wines, courtesy of Casa de Campo): José Antonio Martín Cerezuela
• Hole 17 (Bridgestone e-12 balls): Jaime Hernando Pérez

Qualifiers for the Final

The winners of each category and the scratch winner earn the right to play the Andalucía Golf Challenge Final, and will be contacted in due course. The best players in the RANKING COSTA DEL SOL will also enter the Final, filling the available places along with any that arise from withdrawals by the directly qualified players.

Shortly you will be able to check the latest news from Andalucía Golf for the full report, download the photos and see the qualification for the Final, both for the directly qualified players and from the Costa del Sol ranking.

Acknowledgements

From Andalucía Golf we would especially like to thank the team at Playa Serena and its director, Javier Martín Mendoza, whose hospitality made this Andalucía Golf Challenge event a very comfortable experience for participants and organisers alike.

We would also like to thank the support of the sponsors and partners who make each event of the circuit possible:

• Cervezas San Miguel
• Air Europa
• Turismo y Planificación Costa del Sol
• Grupo 1941
• Grupo La Navarra
• Casa de Campo
• Bridgestone Golf

See below the full results of the event played at Playa Serena.