The Real Club Valderrama is finalizing the preparations to host the third edition of the Andalucía Valderrama Masters – Sergio García Foundation, which will take place from October 19 to 22 with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Andalusian Government. The San Roque club promises to present, once again, the course in perfect condition, at the height of the great golfing events of the year.
The confirmed presence of the two Spanish top ten in the world, Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm, has raised a huge expectation among fans and is expected to break the record of viewers to reach 40,000 people. On television, the tournament will reach 400 million households. A total of 126 players will participate in the Andalucía Valderrama Masters, including 60 tournament winners and major winners such as José Mari Olazábal.
The presentation of the tournament at the Real Club Valderrama has highlighted the vocation of continuity of this great event that aspires to become one of the best in the world. The event was presided over by Francisco Javier Fernández, Councilor for Tourism and Sport of the Andalusian Regional Government; Juan Carlos Ruiz, Mayor of San Roque; Javier Reviriego, General Manager of the Real Club Valderrama; José Mª Zamora, Tournament Director of the European Tour; and Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation. Sergio García, host of the tournament through his Foundation, also wanted to be present through a video:
Javier Reviriego, General Manager of Real Club Valderrama: “We are very happy to celebrate this event that has gone ahead with great effort and that we hope will have continuity in time. I would like to thank the support of all the sponsors that make it possible, especially the Junta de Andalucía that always fulfills its commitments to Valderrama; Keith Pelley, CEO of the European Tour and Sergio Garcia, because we could not have a better host than him in the year he won his first major.
“Having Sergio and Jon Rahm, the most important emerging golfer in the world right now, is the best way to start the Andalucía Valderrama Masters. We will continue working to make the tournament grow in the coming years and become one of the best in the world. Ticket sales are going very well and we expect to break an attendance record with some 40,000 spectators.
“We are very pleased with the result of the improvement plan we initiated on the course five years ago. We have not changed the Robert Trent Jones design, but the quality has improved significantly, as is already beginning to be reflected in the rankings.”
Francisco Javier Fernández, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Regional Government of Andalusia: “To talk about sponsorship in golf I like to document it with facts: in 2016, Andalusia received 530,000 golf tourists, who spend an average of 10.2 days in our land and spend 117 euros per day compared to 67 euros for the average tourist. The valuation they make of their experience is 9.2 out of 10. I would also like to highlight the value of golf as a sport in a natural environment, of its possibilities to help in the psychomotor skills of people with disabilities, to name a few facts. These facts are what explain our interest in golf and why we consider it a good investment”.
Juan Carlos Ruiz, Mayor of San Roque: “This tournament demonstrates the commitment of the Junta de Andalucía with golf. The crisis forced to postpone the sponsorship, but as soon as possible it has been resumed because golf generates employment and generates economic activity.
“20 years ago today we were on the eve of inaugurating the Ryder Cup, the biggest golfing event in the world. That challenge was overcome with honors and since then we have held in San Roque more than 20 top-level tournaments that have been the best showcase of our land.
“We are working to have the Ministry declare this event of public interest so that sponsors can have incentives and that will facilitate the continuity of the event. The commitment of the Board is to continue with the sponsorship for at least five more years. Finally, I would like to thank that the children of the Municipal Golf School of La Cañada will be able to attend the tournament.”
José Mª Zamora, Tournament Director of the European Tour: “I had the opportunity to visit the course three weeks ago and I have not seen a more perfect back nine in all my years on the European Tour. When the improvement works on the remaining nine holes are finished, Valderrama is going to be exceptional.
“The tournament looks very attractive, we are at the end of the season and there is a lot at stake, plus we are going to bring the commercial area and the Village to the right of hole 7 and I think the public will appreciate it.
“Although registration has not been closed, we are going to have great players besides Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm, there will be at least 60 tournament winners and major winners like Jose Mari Olazabal.”
Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation: “We are in an incredible year for Spanish golf, the last victory of Azahara Muñoz yesterday at the Open de España was fantastic and we have to congratulate ourselves. Valderrama is synonymous with success and I have no doubt that this tournament is going to be. The Sergio García and Jon Rahm tandem is today the best golf in Europe and that is why I am convinced that we will have a great success with the public and a great media attention”.
Leave a Reply