Golf Torrequebrada celebrated last 30 May in Benalmádena one of the most emotional evenings in its history with the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary gala, an event filled with memories, tributes and recognition for everyone who has been part of the club’s human and sporting growth over these five decades. The celebration reaffirmed the club as one of the emblematic names of the Costa del Sol and Andalusian golf.
Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary evening hosted by María Acacia López-Bachiller and Javier Varela
The Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary gala was presented by María Acacia López-Bachiller, one of the leading voices of golf journalism in Spain, and Javier Varela, who hosted an evening marked by emotion from the very first moment. The ceremonial section set the stage for an event whose thread would be the people, the memories and the affection for the club throughout the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary.
María Gálvez Fernández opens the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary
The person in charge of opening the event was María Gálvez Fernández, president of Golf Torrequebrada, who delivered one of the most heartfelt and emotional speeches of the night as she recalled the club’s origins and her family’s arrival in Benalmádena in the late 1960s.
María Gálvez especially thanked all the people who have been part of the club’s history over these fifty years and shared a very special memory for those who are no longer with us. She also highlighted the importance of pivotal figures such as José Gancedo, designer of the course and a historic reference in Spanish golf, as well as the decisive role of the Jiménez Rodríguez family in the evolution of Golf Torrequebrada.
One of the most moving moments came when she remembered Juan Jiménez, stating with emotion: “Without Juan Jiménez it would have been impossible”.
Pablo Mansilla on the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary: “Half a century of passion, excellence and sport”
Pablo Mansilla, president of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, then took the stage to highlight the enormous historical, sporting and emotional value that Golf Torrequebrada represents for several generations of Andalusian and Spanish golfers. Mansilla described the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary as “half a century of passion, excellence and sport”, and also recalled the legacy of Pepe Gancedo, the work of Luis Gálvez and the historic importance of the Memorial Manuel Montero in the development of Andalusian and Spanish golf.
Institutional representation led by Mayor Juan Antonio Lara
The institutional representation was led by the Mayor of Benalmádena, Juan Antonio Lara, accompanied by Alejandro Carretero, Enrique Moya, Manuel Cardeña, María de la Presentación Aguilera and María Esperanza González. During his speech, the mayor highlighted the enormous transformation of Benalmádena and the visionary role of those who launched Golf Torrequebrada fifty years ago, as part of the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary celebrations.
Tributes to the key figures of the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary
The gala paid tribute to several fundamental figures in the club’s history. One of the recognitions was dedicated to José María Pérez Casero, remembered as a beloved figure deeply linked to the early years of the Torrequebrada complex. The tribute was collected by his wife, María Victoria Pérez.
Pepe Gancedo, designer of the course and one of the great figures of Spanish golf, was also honoured, with the recognition received by Lupe Rey. Another tribute was dedicated to Manuel Montero, a key figure for the continuity of the project in its most difficult years. After his death in 1978, the historic Memorial Manuel Montero was created in his memory, a tournament that marked an entire generation of young golfers and is still remembered with special affection by those who played it. The recognition was collected by his children María Luisa, Gloria and Manuel Montero.
The Jiménez Rodríguez brothers, soul of the club at the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary
One of the most moving moments of the entire gala was dedicated to the hermanos Jiménez Rodríguez, a family inseparable from the history of Golf Torrequebrada. For decades, José Antonio, Miguel Ángel, Juan, Manuel, Fernando, Pedro and David Jiménez Rodríguez were professionally and personally linked to the club, a central chapter within the narrative of the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary.
With more than forty years dedicated to Golf Torrequebrada, Juan Jiménez was recognised as one of the most important people in the club’s sporting and human growth. With the humility that has always characterised him, he moved everyone in attendance by saying: “I’m not a great teacher; I’ve simply managed to pass the golf bug on to my students”.
Miguel Ángel Jiménez: “Torrequebrada gave me the chance to start”
Especially emotional was also the presence of Miguel Ángel Jiménez, who recalled how Golf Torrequebrada marked the beginning of his sporting career and how the club believed in him from the very start. “Golf Torrequebrada was the one that supported me and gave me the chance to start and get to where I am today”, he said with emotion during the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary.
The event experienced one of its most touching moments when numerous students and players trained over decades by Juan Jiménez climbed onto the stage to join him during the tribute, reflecting the enormous affection and respect he has earned throughout a lifetime devoted to golf and to people.
Tribute to Luis Gálvez and final flourish of the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary
Afterwards, the Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary gala paid a very special tribute to Luis Gálvez, presenting him with a reproduction of the emblematic tower that gives the club its name, a visual nod to one of the great pillars of the project across its different stages.
The celebration closed an unforgettable night marked by memory, recognition and emotion, reaffirming Golf Torrequebrada as one of the most emblematic clubs of the Costa del Sol and Andalusian golf. The Golf Torrequebrada 50th anniversary thus stands as an indelible chapter connecting the club’s past with its sporting future. To follow the latest Andalusian golf news, visit our Andalucía Golf news section or visit the club’s official website at golftorrequebrada.com.
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