Two central ideas, that the imminent Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España – to be held at the RCG Gualdalmina between September 21 and 24 – will be a sporting spectacle of the highest level, and that the sport of golf is an important area for generating employment and wealth, were the main arguments put forward by the representatives of the institutions supporting the tournament during its official presentation.
Andalusia, an important golfing reference in the world
Antonio Fernandez, General Secretary for Sport of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Andalusian Regional Government, expressed himself along these lines, and remarked that “we are working to make Andalusia a reference for golf again. We have everything: climate, hotel facilities, recreational, leisure and cultural tourism, magnificent sports facilities… everything, I repeat, for golf to be an element of wealth that attracts golf tourists, who have a very important impact on our land. Our commitment to bring back major sporting events is very clear, and golf is one of them, an important economic engine” and also stresses that “golf tourists spend a longer average stay and a higher amount of money than the average tourist. Tourism accounts for 13% of our GDP and the 500,000 golf tourists around 5%”.
Elias Bendodo, President of the Diputación de Málaga, maintained that line of argument: “Golf is employment and wealth. And then everything else. It adds value to a territory. That is why we have the obligation to defend it. We are in a destination touched by the hand of God, with an exceptional climate and with many golf courses that help to deseasonalization. The impact of golf in the province of Malaga is very important, 1,410 million euros in direct and indirect production, with golfers whose average stay is 12.3 days and an average total expenditure of 1,800 euros” apart from highlighting the union of all institutions to carry out this Open de España and wishing that a Spanish woman wins again.
Pioneers in Europe in the use of recycled water on golf courses
For his part, Manuel Cardeña, CEO of Acosol, highlighted the magnificent opportunity provided by this sporting event to highlight “the importance of irrigation in the courses through the campaign “Irrigation 100% recycled water”. The objective is to improve irrigation facilities and the creation of an observatory to show the benefits generated by golf in the area (employment, wealth, tourism impact)” with special mention for the fact that “we are pioneers in Europe in the use of recycled water in golf courses”.
In his turn to speak, Javier Mérida, Councillor for Sports of the Marbella Town Hall, stressed “we are proud to have events of this quality in our municipality. To facilitate this, a 10,000 square meter parking lot has been set up near the course, connected to it by two little tourist trains, as well as collaborating in various services around the course and in the accesses controlled by the local police”.
Pablo Mansilla, president of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation -on behalf of Gonzaga Escauriaza, president of the RFEG-, reminded that Andalusia and the Costa del Sol are once again hosting the best professional golf after this year’s Match Play 9 holes of the Challenge Tour and with our sights already set on the Andalusia Valderrama Masters in October. “Now we are going to enjoy the best players of the LET. We are fortunate to have for the first time in Spain Suzann Pettersen -with 15 LPGA victories and 6 on the LET-, as well as Carlota Ciganda, who last year could not be in Aloha, and Azahara Muñoz, who defends the title at her club. In short, a fantastic show”.
Finally, Juan Ramón Martínez Landazábal, president of Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, welcomed everyone present before “wishing the players luck and thanking all the organizing parties, course staff and members for their understanding and sacrifice. We have worked hard the last two months to present the course in the best conditions. It is the first time that a Spanish Open of the European Tour is held in Guadalmina and I am sure that the experience will be very satisfactory”.
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