One of three courses at Villa Padierna Golf Club, the magnificent Flamingos once again showcased its exceptional quality as a venue for the Andalucía Golf Challenge CircuitThis is the 11th year of the annual circuit, which offers the main prize of five week-long trips to the Mexican Caribbean, covering flights, transfers, all-inclusive five-star accommodation, and golf at three of the finest courses in the Caribbean: PGA Riviera Maya, El Camaleón Mayakoba and Playa Paraiso.

Sunny weather, moderate wind and temperatures of around 30 degrees accompanied the 100 players who teed up in the tournament at this superb course managed by Pedro Morán Rochell. Among the participants was Osvaldo Ardiles, a member of the football World Cup-winning Argentina team in 1978 and later player and coach of Tottenham and other top clubs.

After the competition and before the prize ceremony and gifts raffle, the participants enjoyed an extraordinary barbecue offered by The Butcher Guadalmina, located in Guadalmina commercial centre in Marbella. Rubén and his team, together with Barbecue World staff, prepared beef steaks, Iberian pork and other delicacies, including tomato salad with burrata foam, which the players particularly loved. The meats were cooked in a range of barbecues supplied for the occasion by Barbecue World, whose sales director, Sebastián Green, explained the characteristics of the different stoves, which use fuel comprising pellets from different woods. The company has an exhibition and sales outlet for its products in the Polígono de Estepona (Calle Juan de Mena, 18).

As for the results, the top three players in category one (with the same 38 points) were Francisco Javier Suso Teixidor, Francisco Funes Gutiérrez and Alain Francois Rivollier.

Leading the way in category two was Gonzalo Iceta Ripoll (42 points), followed by Manuel Mingot Aznar (41) and Álvaro Solís Otegui (38).

The scratch winner was Frank Stockmans (37 points), and the special prizes went to Bernardo Piermichele (5th hole) and Santiago Gutiérrez Duque (16th) for closest to the pin, and Danielle Bostoen and Borja Rodríguez del Castillo for longest drive.

(SEE PHOTO GALLERY AT THE END OF THIS REPORT)

As with the previous two editions, the circuit – which is organised by Andalucía Golf/España Golf magazine – offers the winners trips to the Caribbean with the Pinero Group. Apart from prizes in each tournament (top-brand clothing from the Fairway + Blue boutique in Puerto Banús, wine from Bodegas Lau D.O. Somontano and golf products from Holiday Golf Group), the winners of both categories and the scratch winner secure places in the grand finale at Marbella Golf Resort on 2 October, followed by a gala dinner at El Gamonal Restaurant in Marbella, and the chance to win one of the five week-long trips to Riviera Maya. The rest of the places are awarded based on a ranking of points obtained in events played by those taking part.

The trip to Riviera Maya is planned for 6 to 14 November. Two rounds will be played at PGA Riviera Maya, one at Mayakoba (after the conclusion of the Mayakoba Classic on the PGA Tour) and another at Playa Paraíso.

We appreciate the support of our sponsors: the hotel chain Bahía Príncipe (www.bahiaprincipe.com); the course that is our golfing base for the week, PGA Riviera Maya (www.pgarivieramaya.com), SANITAS (www.sanitas.es), Viviendo del Trading (www.viviendodeltrading.com) and Mijas Town Hall (www.mijas.es).

Also our collaborators: Holiday Golf, Holiday Golf Estates, Bodegas Laus D.O. Somontano, El Gamonal Restaurant, Fairway + Blue, Cadena SER and Marbella Town Hall.

 


Destination PGA Riviera Maya Bahía Príncipe 

The grand final will decide the winners of five all-inclusive one-week trips to the Bahía Príncipe resort in Riviera Maya (Bahía Príncipe Grand Tulum***** Hotel), with golf rounds at PGA Riviera Maya, El Camaleón Mayakoba and Playa Paraíso. The top two players in each category and the scratch winner of the final – to be played at Marbella Club Golf Resort on 2 October – will travel to the Mexican Caribbean.

Planned Travel Dates

6 to 14 November 2021

Prize Includes:

  • Return flights from Málaga or Madrid to Cancún
  • Transfers from airport to hotel and return
  • All-inclusive accommodation at Bahía Príncipe Grand Tulum*****

Golf at PGA Riviera Maya, El Camaleón Mayakoba and Playa Paraíso

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