The entry of Sergio García in the organization of the Open de España through his Foundation, brings a solidary character to the tournament that will take place at the Real Club Valderrama from April 14 to 17. The different charitable actions to be carried out will be aimed at raising funds for the Spanish Association Against Cancer.
Since 2002, when the Foundation was created, Sergio García has collaborated with a multitude of initiatives and organizations to help people with special needs, including his work to promote golf among people with physical or intellectual disabilities. At the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, funds will be raised for families facing cancer in one of their members.
“There are people who cannot afford to visit their sick relatives. The Spanish Association Against Cancer rents apartments all over Spain to help them and our goal is to take care of a full year’s rent so that these families can enjoy time with their loved ones at such a difficult time. We are going to try to raise as much as we can,” explains Sergio.
Among other actions, the Foundation will raffle a bag of clubs like the one used by the champion from Castellón. “We are going to have a small tent where everyone will be welcome; I will be there from time to time and also my parents, who are very involved in the Foundation. We will have a replica of my bag of clubs that will be raffled among all those who make donations. I hope that many people will come and that they will make an effort to help those in need”, he emphasizes.
Sergio will have extra work during the tournament, but it doesn’t weigh on him. “I will have more hassle than usual but it will be worth it, whenever I can involve my Foundation I do it with pleasure. I’ll be ready to give my all and I’m really looking forward to it. At the end of last year I spoke with Keith Pelley, CEO of the European Tour, and the idea was to involve my Foundation in the Open de España in the future, but things have moved forward sooner than we thought, Valderrama has taken an important step forward and so has the Royal Spanish Golf Federation; we all want to do things well and for many years. My entire team is working to ensure that everything is going to be done in the best possible way and to organize the Foundation’s fundraising. We are excited about what can be achieved.
“I think it’s great to help those in need whenever we can and I’m very proud to be able to do that; it’s important for us to do more than just play golf. We are fortunate, we make a good living and we should help those in need. Rory McIlroy does in Ireland what I do at the Spanish Open.
Sergio has also exercised his role as host by recruiting the German Martin Kaymer, winner of the US PGA and US Open, who had not played the Spanish Open since his debut in 2007. They are close friends and together they have shared unforgettable experiences in the last two editions of the Ryder Cup.
Kaymer likes and knows the Real Club Valderrama well, where he finished tied sixth in the 2007 Volvo Masters, was twenty-first in the 2010 Andalucía Valderrama Masters and twenty-third in the 2011 Andalucía Masters.
Martin Kaymer: “I think it’s a great idea for us players to host tournaments, to be much more involved. It’s good for golf, for the European Tour and to raise awareness of our foundations, which few people know about.
“Valderrama is one of the most emblematic courses in Europe, it should be an annual event on the European Tour. From the tee it is very demanding and requires all kinds of shots: fade, draw, low ball, high ball, even being on the fairway you can be blocked by the trees.
“Strategy is key. The greens are small, it’s all about placing the second shot and it will never be a putting competition. A round around par is a very good result, but the distance between 68 and 75 is very short, that’s what makes Valderrama attractive.
“It is important to play a tournament in Spain and on a great course. I played the Volvo Masters 2007 in my first season and I am confident that we will return in the coming years. I really like that area of Spain, the German colony is very large and they have always supported us.”
Tickets to attend the RC Valderrama Open de España-Fundación Sergio García: http://tickets.europeantour.com/event/real-club-valderrama-open-de-espana/real-club-valderrama/928215
Free access for Spanish members: http://tickets.europeantour.com/event/real-club-valderrama-open-de-espana/real-club-valderrama/928215?OfferCode=SF16&lang=es
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