A change to a historic venue, a luxury line-up headed by international stars, a privileged location on the calendar, the highest prize purse of all the DP World Tour tournaments held in Spain and the unanimous backing of the members who have contributed to the success of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters: all these assets make this tournament a new and exciting project, despite being in its ninth edition. For the moment, spectators will be able to enjoy the new face of the event, and the good work of its players, from 19 to 22 October at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.
During the presentation of this competition whose main sponsors are Estrella Damm and Andalucía, the representatives of the entities and institutions gathered at the San Roque club staged their total communion with the concept of golf as an ideal vehicle for sports, tourism and promotion at local, regional, national and even international level.
“This tournament is a clear example of the Andalusian Government’s commitment to make Andalusia a preferred destination for all golf enthusiasts. Here we combine perfectly the sporting practice with the economic and tourist impact of holding a competition of this level,” said Francisco Javier Rodriguez, subdelegate of the Government in the Campo de Gibraltar, who spoke on behalf of the Junta de Andalucía.
“Everyone wants to come to Andalusia to play their competitions, and that is synonymous that we have the best facilities, in this case 110 magnificent golf courses, such as the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, and because here we also have the best professionals and we know how to do things well. That generates a confidence that we have achieved by demonstrating it continuously, and is a guarantee of success, “added the deputy delegate.
With sixty-five DP World Tour tournaments held in Andalusia, to which should be added events such as the recent Solheim Cup, the Ryder Cup or the countless events of the other professional circuits, such as the Ladies European Tour, the Challenge Tour or the Alps Tour, and many other high-level amateur events that have been held in this community, the unbreakable ties established between the Andalusian community and this sport are clear, as highlighted by the representative of the Board.
For his part, Kostka Horno, manager of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, emphasized the pedigree of the club when hosting major events, especially in the amateur field, and the importance of hosting again a professional test in the jewel designed by Robert Trent Jones, the first work in Europe of this famous architect.
“We have been organizing the prestigious European Nations Championship – Sotogrande Cup for more than 50 years. It is important to remember that nine of the twelve players who have won the Ryder Cup last week have participated as amateurs in the Sotogrande Cup, which shows the importance of this event at European level,” explained Kostka Horno.
“That said, we are delighted to return to hold a professional golf tournament for several reasons: to return to enjoy the best players in the world, as we did in with the victory of Roberto de Vicenzo in the Open de España 1966 and Severiano Ballesteros in the Championship of Spain Professionals 1987; host a test of this type to show the world this jewel, recovering international prestige and positioning among the best courses in the world; and contribute our bit to the productive fabric of San Roque hosting a high-level golfing event. There is no better marketing and advertising tool than an event like this,” concluded the manager of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.
In his speech, Chris Atkinson, tournament director and DP World Tour representative at the event, referred to the main novelties in the tournament’s strong roster (such as the arrival of American stars Wyndham Clark and Matt Kuchar) and indicated that he was confident of having an even stronger roster of players next year.
“The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is inextricably linked to the development of golf, and will undoubtedly pose a great challenge to our players. The improvements introduced over the last few years have ensured its status as a top class club, both on and off the golf course,” explained Chris Atkinson, who did not want to forget the main partners of the tournament.
“This will be the fifth year that we have been sponsored by Estrella Damm and the tournament continues to grow in importance. The dedication with which they support the tournament, golf in Spain and the DP World Tour is unparalleled, and we are extremely grateful to them, as well as to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía. Andalusia is a wonderful community and both the players and our staff love to visit. We are very grateful for the affection and hospitality with which we are received every time we come,” concluded the tournament director.
For his part, Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, mayor of San Roque, wanted to emphasize the importance of golf in a town whose character is forged by this sport, as evidenced by the quality of its facilities and the importance of the events it hosts.
“Our municipality can boast of being an international destination of reference for lovers of this sport. We have in our municipality with a total of nine fields, many of them considered the best in the world, as these facilities that welcome us, the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, which for the first time will host the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters, “explained the mayor of San Roque.
“All this is thanks to the excellence of our golf courses and our proven solvency to organize with guarantees all kinds of major events, always the result of excellent collaboration between all public institutions and private initiative and clubs, and there I want to thank especially the Minister of Tourism and Sport the commitment of the Junta de Andalucía to sponsor these competitions in San Roque, “added Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix.
Juan José Ortiz, first vice president of the Diputación de Cádiz, also wanted to emphasize the importance of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters in taking the name of the province to every corner of the planet.
“On the part of the Provincial Council we hope that all players and fans who attend the tournament not only enjoy that week, but also become ambassadors of the province of Cadiz. Golf is one of our main assets and we have to continue to promote it”.
As a representative of the federative and educational sphere, Pablo Mansilla, president of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, pointed out the impact that events of this kind have on amateur players, whether they are elite amateurs or more modest golfers. As ideal tools for popularizing golf and complementing the federation’s promotional work, tournaments such as the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters contribute to bringing golf to a much wider public.
“In Andalusia we want to be the center of world golf and this tournament is another step in that direction. It is important to highlight not only the economic impact of events like this, but also the ability to generate more fans,” said Pablo Mansilla.
“As in previous years, the champions of Andalusia fry, child and junior golf will have the opportunity to play the Pro-Am with the great champions who will come, which makes them very excited. This opportunity
serves as great motivation to continue training with the aim of becoming one of their idols, “concluded the president of the RFAG.
Framed in the decisive phase of the season, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters will be crucial in the outcome of the Race to Dubai, the order of merit of this circuit, and presents a great cast headed by the Americans Wyndham Clark, winner of the U.S. Open 2023 and Ryder Cup player held in Rome and Matt Kuch, with four Ryder Cups to his credit; New Zealander Ryan Fox, winner of the recent BMW PGA Championship among other triumphs, and Matt Kuch, with four Ryder Cups to his credit. Open 2023 and player of the Ryder Cup held in Rome, and Matt Kuchar, with four Ryder Cups to his credit; the New Zealander Ryan Fox, winner of the recent BMW PGA Championship among other victories; the Italian Francesco Molinari, winner of the Open Championship; the Spaniards Adrian Otaegui, defending champion, Pablo Larrazabal, Jorge Campillo or Rafa Cabrera Bello, all with notable international victories in their track records, or the Pole Adrian Meronk, already with multiple victories in the DP World Tour.
Tickets for the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters are already available, with a discount for federated players and free access for children under thirteen, on the tournament’s website.
The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, DP World Tour tournament valid for the Race to Dubai that is held thanks to the essential collaboration of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía.
Photo: From left to right, Pablo Mansilla, president of the RFAG; Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, mayor of San Roque; Francisco Javier Rodriguez, subdelegate of the Government in the Campo de Gibraltar; Kostka Horno, manager of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande; Juan Jose Ortiz, first vice president of the Diputación de Cádiz; and Chris Atkinson, tournament director. (photo © Bosco Martín)
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