This week the inaugural edition of the Sotogrande Masters, the third tournament of the MENA Golf Tour 2016, will be played at Club de Golf La Reserva. For Carlos Balmaseda, the event will open new opportunities for home players.
“Because of its privileged climate and the wide variety of its courses, Spain is a great golf factory, but we need more competitive events where our up-and-coming golfers can develop their skills and serve as a springboard to success on the world stage,” says Balmaseda, who is also an ambassador for the MENA Golf Tour.
“The addition of the Sotogrande Masters to the Spanish calendar of international events has had an excellent reception and reflects the popularity of our circuit in this area,” he adds in reference to the 113 registered participants, 16 of whom are Spanish.
“The number of Spanish players on the circuit has grown rapidly, and Gabriel [Cañizares] ‘s victory in Saudi Arabia last season has acted as a magnet to attract even more interest in a circuit that has huge growth potential.
“I am confident that the Spaniards will leave the flag very high in the Sotogrande Masters. We professionals know our home courses very well, we are local players and that can be very good for us.
“The course at La Reserva is a bit long and the greens are like glass. If it’s windy, which is very likely, it will test the nerves of the players. Overall it’s going to be a great test of golf,” Balmaseda concludes.
Cañizares, son of José María, the veteran European Tour player, also believes that the key will be knowing how to deal with the wind. “I calculate that we will win with -8 or -10, but if the wind blows, which is almost certain, you don’t know what can happen.
“Whatever happens, the players are going to enjoy themselves on this great course,” says the winner of the 2015 American Express Dirab Championship. Cañizares prevailed in the playoff to win his first MENA Golf Tour title.
The La Reserva course, designed by the North American designer Cabell Robinson, is ranked as the fifth best in Spain and 55th in Europe. This 18-hole, par 72 course, inaugurated in 2003, characterized by its fast and spectacular greens with many flag positions, is a fantastic challenge for every golfer.
The Cadiz resort of Sotogrande was also the scene last February of the first MENA Golf Tour Qualifying School, in which the first 60 classified players obtained the full card.
There are 23 countries represented among the participants. England leads with 41 players, followed by Spain (16), Sweden (12) and Morocco (8). This is the first visit of the circuit to the land of Severiano Ballesteros.
Marshall hopes to keep up great start on MENA Golf Tour in Spain
After his sensational start to the 2016 season on the MENA Golf Tour, Andrew Marshall is aiming to keep the momentum going this week at the inaugural edition of the Sotogrande Masters at La Reserva.
The 42-year-old Englishman has finished tied second and first in the first two tournaments of the circuit played in Morocco, with outstanding performances in which he brought out all his experience.
The photograph illustrating this information shows Manuel Piñero, nine-time European tour winner and Ryder Cup vice captain, with Trevor Varri, director of the MENA Golf Tournament and Carlos Balmaseda, ambassador of the MENA Golf Tour.
About the MENA Golf Tour
The MENA Golf Tour was established in 2011 on the initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation with the aim of developing golf in the area. It is affiliated with the R&A, golf’s world governing body based at St Andrews, and the Arab Golf Federation. . . www.menagolftour.com.
About Sotogrande
Sotogrande, located on the Costa de la Luz in the Andalusian province of Cadiz, is one of the most select and discreet tourist destinations in Europe. Sotogrande, which covers 20 square kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea to the foothills of the Sierra de Almenara, conveys the authenticity of the original vision that its founders had 54 years ago of a captivating place that combines the culture and history of Andalusia and its exceptional natural beauty.
Sotogrande offers a healthy lifestyle with excellent sports and leisure facilities. It is one of the most important sporting destinations in Europe for sailing, golf, water sports, tennis and polo. Sotogrande offers a wide range of opportunities for its international community of 5,000 inhabitants through a platform of opportunities focused on sport, culture, tradition and culinary experience. There are both permanent residences and vacation homes and it is a favorite destination for families looking for year-round activities. It is also easily accessible from most major cities in Europe.
Sotogrande S. A. is a luxury real estate development company in the European market. The company creates and develops unique residential communities combining local heritage with expertise and high quality infrastructure. Its long term commitment is based on a development plan of exclusive residential and residential developments.
infrastructures for sports and leisure activities in southern Spain, with a clear vision of respect for the environment.
Sotogrande S.A.’s portfolio includes multiple premium residential developments (La Reserva, Ribera del Marlin, Los Cortijos); restaurants and bars; two renowned golf courses; two hotels; a beach club; sports facilities (tennis, polo and horseback riding); a private marina with 1,400 moorings; and development land on which to build up to 1.8 million square meters of residential and commercial real estate.
The company is listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange.
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