Sergio Garcia hosted on Monday in Madrid the second edition of “Inside the Ropes”, an initiative promoted by the European Tour that brings together the greatest exponents of the circuit with leading figures from the business world. In these events, whose first edition featured Rory McIlroy, Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell in Dublin, the guests have the unique opportunity to get to know the point of view of the stars of the European Tour in a close and accessible way.
In addition to learning the most interesting details and anecdotes of his sporting and life career, the guests had the opportunity to listen to Sergio Garcia’s opinion on current golfing news, delve into the concerns of a player of the world elite and even ask him the questions they considered pertinent. The player from Borriol answered frankly and kindly without avoiding any question, and together with José María Zamora, tournament director of the European Tour, and Javier Reviriego, general director of the Real Club Valderrama, he explained how important it is for Spain to have a tournament of the stature of the Andalucía Valderrama Masters and how necessary the support of the main companies in our country is, as well as talking to them about the activities of the Sergio García Foundation and its relationship with the tournament.
In fact, Sergio carries the victories achieved at the Real Club Valderrama deep inside him. “Each victory is special and gives you something different. Winning in Spain is much nicer: the Open de España in 2002 in Gran Canaria and the Castelló Masters in 2008 and 2011 at my club were very special. But the victories that have “touched” me the most have been those of the Andalucía Valderrama Masters in 2011 and 2017 for several reasons: I have always had a very good relationship with Valderrama and I have trained many times before the Masters and the British Open; the first was before Jaime Ortiz-Patiño left us, who was very fond of me and my family; and, above all, I had been so close to winning so many times until I finally got it!”.
He went on to elaborate on the relationship between the tournament and his Foundation. “Last year it also had a special meaning as my Foundation was involved. Thanks to the proceeds from the Andalucía Valderrama Masters we were able to contribute to the financing of an X-ray room in the children’s area of La Paz Hospital. In 2016, we gave the proceeds from the Spanish Open, which was also played at Valderrama, to the Spanish Association Against Cancer in Castellón for an apartment for relatives and patients”.
Golf is a magnificent platform for sponsorship and this is understood by the multinationals that bet on this sport. The proximity to the players (either during the Pro-Ams or even in the competition rounds themselves) is unparalleled in other sports and serves to strengthen lasting relationships with sponsors and establish special bonds with the public. “We want to have a long-lasting relationship with sponsors and I’ve been with some of them for 19 years, since I turned pro. We don’t intend to sign a three-year contract and goodbye. We do favors for each other and the relationship is one of friendship. The Pro-Am, for us, is not just a training day, we have the chance to meet interesting people and build relationships. Wednesdays are important.
“Golf is probably the sport in which the fan is closest to the player. From tee to green the public is one meter away from us and the relationship between athlete and spectator is much closer, more intimate. In soccer you don’t sit less than 20 or 30 meters away, you can’t be that close to the players,” said Sergio.
In a Ryder Cup year, the reference to this biennial competition in which Garcia could become this year’s European record holder in terms of points scored was inevitable. “There are still four months to go, but it looks like there will be two or three new players in the team. It would be nice if Alexander Lévy qualified, a good player, a good person and an incentive for the French public,” he confessed, although he downplayed the importance of personal achievements in this team tournament. “I’ve said it many times and I stand by it: I’d rather score zero points and Europe wins than win my points and we lose the Ryder Cup.”
The strength of Spanish golf is another element that major companies should value when it comes to supporting the sport, and in that aspect we are living a spectacular moment, as the 2017 Masters champion recalled. “Spain has contributed a lot to the European Tour: we have sixteen cards and five Spaniards among the top 100 in the world ranking. Last year we achieved many victories between all of us, this year we have started very well and Jon Rahm is playing at a great level,” García finished off.
Of course, he also recalled the recent victory of Real Madrid, the club of his love, in the Champions League, a match he was able to enjoy live. “What Real Madrid has done is incredible. A team that wins four of the last five Champions League titles is amazing. We are very close friends with Luis Figo and he invited us to the final in Milan; last year we couldn’t go because it coincided with the wedding celebration in Castellón, and this time we didn’t want to miss Kiev. It was very nice, very exciting.
As exciting, no doubt, as his triumph at the 2017 Andalucía Valderrama Masters in front of 41,494 spectators, a feat he will try to repeat this year. To do so, he hopes to once again count on the support of the fans and perhaps with the backing of some of the brands whose executives shared an unforgettable day with the tournament host on Monday.
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