Nº 273 - MAY 2018 - FREE COPY

The renaissance of OPEN DE ESPAÑA Jon Rahm lives in up to his reputation The success of the ‘Armada’, the The Spaniard showed just opening of new golf schools and the why he was the firm fading of old stereotypes have created favourite on the return of the Open de España [P4] a new wave of interest [P2&3]

EUROPEAN TOUR Álvaro Quirós, on the comeback trail

The Cadiz golfer’s second-place finish in Rabat sees him rise 200 places in the rankings [P4]

Enjoying spring on Cordoba’s courses

The city brings in plenty of tourists for its cultural heritage, but more and more visitors are heading out to the greens [P6] 2 ANDALUCÍA May 2018 COSTA DEL GOLF

Golf is attracting more tourists, fans, players and spectators in Spain The success of golfers like Jon Rahm, the opening of municipal schools and a record number of fans at the Open reflect a growing interest in the sport

ALBERTO not take place at all last year and GÓMEZ this year’s competition was only possible thanks to assistance from the European Tour. Among the fiercest critics is Miguel Ángel Jiménez, who is still olf is beginning to over- a very active player at the age of come the cliché of being 54. “The tournament was organ- an elitist and minority ised because the European Tour G sport in Spain. This is provided a million euros for it. The partly due to the opening of mu- federation provided 250,000 euros. nicipal golf schools, where chil- That is ridiculous, when a million dren can learn and play at reason- are already guaranteed,” he told El able prices (no more expensive País newspaper a few weeks ago. than any football or In the same interview, he said school), and also to the successes that his sport “is stagnant” in of Sergio García, Azahara Muñoz, Spain: “The federation does noth- Carlota Ciganda, Rafa Cabrera-Bello ing. Despite the players we have and, especially, Jon Rahm. had, we are still stuck in the past. Rahm, from Vizcaya, was the win- People still think we’re elitist. They ner and absolute star of the recent need to do something about that. Open de España. He is following in If the ones who are there now can’t the footsteps of and in find a solution to the stigmatisa- less than two years as a professional tion of this sport, they should go is already one of the five best players and others should take over. We’re in the world ranking and a favourite not moving forward,” he said. at all the major tournaments. Jiménez isn’t just an experienced With a record such as Jon Rahm’s, golfer; he has paid money so that the authorities are being forced to some professional tournaments take notice of the importance of have been able to take place in the golf. That is why the rise in the rate past, opened a golf school in Tor- of IVA (value added tax) imposed remolinos and supported tours and by the Spanish government is so in- competitions to encourage chil- comprehensible; it has had a seri- dren to take up the sport. ous negative effect on hundreds of clubs all over the country, and some Fewer licences have been forced to close. After seven consecutive years when The presence of the Minister of the number of federated golfers Sport, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, at the A record number of people went to watch the Spanish Open. :: RFEG dropped in Spain - by as much as six prizegiving ceremony at the Span- per cent in 2014 - there has been a ish Open was a clear sign of the pionships in this country. Sources at the Royal Spanish ginning to realise that this sport turning point in recent months. Not authorities’ renewed interest in Rahm’s success takes us back to Golf Federation (RFEG) point out generates wealth and thousands only did the successful men’s Open this sport. In response to those the golden age of golf, in the hey- that golf tourism generates two of jobs,” explained the president de España encourage people to take who consider that golf is still a mi- day of Severiano Ballesteros, José billion euros a year for the State. of the RFEG, Gonzaga Escauriaza. up golf, but there have also been the nority sport, we only have to quote María Olazábal and Miguel Ángel “People still tend to think of this The federation has also come Andalucía Masters at Valderrama one statistic: 47,218 people at- Jiménez, and it is also serving to as an elitist sport, even though golf under criticism. Although the suc- and the women’s Open de España, tended the four-day tournament attract more young people to golf, can be played for eight or ten euros. cess of the Open is generally rec- the last two editions of which have in last month, which was inspired by Rahm’s age, rebellious The administrations have not ognised, some discordant voices taken place in Malaga province. a landmark in professional cham- attitude and ambition. treated us well, but they are be- point out that the tournament did The Andalucía Masters and the May 2018 ANDALUCÍA 3 COSTA DEL GOLF M

women’s tournament which has been won twice by Azahara Muñoz were made possible by the contri- bution from the Junta de Anda- Jon Rahm delights fans once again lucía’s Tourism Department, the Malaga provincial government and the Mancomunidad de Municipios of the Western Costa del Sol. as he wins the Open de España In southern Spain golf is not only a sport, but a strategy for tourism. Last year it attracted over half a mil- lion visitors to Andalucía. On the Costa del Sol, with its 70 courses, The world number Four days previously, Jon Rahm the golf culture is more established had predicted that he would have than in other areas, because of its four lived up to his to achieve -20 to be the winner. That economic impact on tourism. result made him the sixth Spaniard Television viewers are also show- reputation as firm to win the Open de España after An- ing more interest. According to Movis- favourite at this tonio Garrido (1972), Severiano Ba- tar, which has its own golf channel, llesteros (1981, 1985 and 1995), Ser- so far this year the average daily audi- tournament on the gio García (2002), Álvaro Quirós ence has risen by 19 per cent, com- European Tour (2010) and Miguel Ángel Jiménez pared with the same period in 2017. (2014). One of the curiosities of this Although few private compa- sport: Jon Rahm’s victory occurred nies in Spain sponsor golf, there on the same day, 15 April, as that of are now more than 30 agreements :: A. GÓMEZ Garrido in 1972, when he became in force. El Corte Inglés and Movis- n April Spanish golfer Jon Rahm, the first Spanish player on the Eu- tar have their own tour and Banco number four in the world, won ropean Tour to win the Open de Es- Santander supports the Ladies Tour. the Open de España, part of the paña at the Pals Golf Club. That was Others such as Air Europa, Os- I European Tour, which took pla- the first tournament to be held in borne, Solán de Cabras, Halcón, ce at Golf Centre in Ma- Spain within the structure of the Ilunion and Segura Viudas collabo- drid. With a total card of 268 stro- Rahm with RFEG president Gonzaga Escauriaza and the Minister of European Tour. rate with different tournaments, kes, 20 under par, the young player Sport, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo. :: RFEG Rahm reached the 18th hole, su- although to a lesser extent. won his fifth title since becoming rrounded by the public, where he More surprising is the sponsor- professional in 2016. In addition to champion of Spain in the cadet ca- day. He started at a disadvantage of achieved his famous birdie. The ship of players. No Spanish player, his success at the Farmers Insuran- tegory (2009), junior (2010 and 2012), one and two shots respectively to crowd went mad, and there was not even Rahm, García or Muñoz, ce Open (2017) and Career Builder under-18 (2010 y 2012) and senior fellow Spanish player Nacho Elvi- lengthy applause to mark the final has an agreement with a Spanish Challenge (2018) on the PGA Tour, (2014 and 2015). Rahm then retur- ra and Irishman , but in point of an absolutely magical Spa- company. All their sponsors are and the DP World Tour Cham- ned to Madrid to complete part of the last 18 holes he had no rivals. nish Open 2018. foreign, such as Adidas, Lacoste, pionship of Dubai (2017) and the his training as a golfer before setting He presented a final card of 67 stro- Rahm was the indisputable hero Nike or Ping. However, it is proba- (2017), on the European off for Arizona, USA. kes, five under par, for a total of - of the tournament, but special men- bly just a matter of time, now that Tour, Rahm has added the title of the At the press conference after his 20. Six birdies, at holes 1, 2, 7, 10, 13 tion should also be given to ama- people are starting to realise how Open de España champion. This was win, Rahm showed off the trophy and 18, enabled him to push Paul teur Víctor Pastor, who finished profitable it could be to promote a great way to close his circle of wins which accredited his victory after Dunne (270) and Nacho Elvira (271) with a praiseworthy 67 (-5) and a this sport in Spain. in his own country since he become an exciting recovery on the final into second and third place. total of -13.

under par). Levy, who signed a card creased the excitement on this final of 70 strokes (2 under par) on the last day, but he then played a brilliant day, began his final round at a one- birdie at the next hole and placed him- Quirós makes his comeback shot disadvantage to Quirós, but was self out of reach of his closest rivals. soon heading for first position by card- Quirós carded two birdies at the ing three birdies in the first eight holes two final holes, a belated reaction of the round. which did at least enable him to com- Halfway through the day Levy, by plete the round at par for the course The Spanish player came second in then eight below in the total, achieved (72) and earn second place, his best Morocco and rose 200 places in the ranking a two-shot gain over a group of seven result on the tour since winning the followers. None of them was able to Rocco Forte Open in Sicily in May close the gap with the French player, 2017. Behind Levy and Quirós, with who performed well and committed 282 strokes (six below) came Italian :: ALEJANDRO DÍAZ cation from the first day of the com- hardly any errors. player Andrea Pavan, Mikko Ilonen, MALAGA. Álvaro Quirós came close petition, was hoping for his eighth from Finland, and Joakim Lagregren to victory in Morocco. The player from title on the European Tour and the Bogey at the 2nd and Alexander Björk, from Sweden. Cadiz began as sole leader of the fi- second since 2011, when he began a Quirós had played a bogey almost at Levy, 27, began the week at number nal round of the Hassan II Trophy, a dry period which lasted six years, un- the start, at the 2nd hole, and although 66 on the world classification, and tournament on the European Golf til he won the Rocco Forte Open in halfway around the course he was rose to ninth position in this year’s Tour which took place at Royal Golf Sicily. two strokes away from Levy, two Race to Dubai. This title is in addition Dar es Salam in Rabat, after success- However, it was French player Al- more bogeys in the bunkers at the to his two wins at the Chinese Open fully defending his first position on exander Levy who won in Rabat. This 10th and 13th made it even more dif- (2014 and 2017), the Portuguese Mas- the third day. was his fifth title on the European Álvaro Quirós came close to ficult for him to compete. Only Levy’s ters in 2014 and the European Open Quirós, who topped the classifi- Tour, with a total of 280 strokes (8 victory in Rabat. :: SUR bogey at the 16th momentarily in- in 2016. 4 ANDALUCÍA May 2018 COSTA DEL GOLF

Tour will take place at the Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, which last year hosted the women’s Open de Es- paña, part of the European Tour. The Costa del Golf Tour is back Guadalmina has two courses, the north and the south, with 45 holes in total, and it was inaugu- rated in 1959, which makes it one of the oldest clubs on the Costa del Registration is now open for this Sol. The fairways, wide and with almost no rough, wind their way amateur competition, which will be between well-established trees, making it very attractive for the played at Alcaidesa, Cabopino, El players who take part in the cham- pionship. The course was remod- Paraíso and Guadalmina elled in 2002. Registration is now open for this tour, which is being organised by the newspaper SUR and this specialist publication Costa del Golf. Oferplan :: ALBERTO GÓMEZ The course at Alcaidesa Links Golf has a special offer which means that MALAGA. The Costa del Golf Tour, Resort, which is in fantastic sur- people can enjoy the competition, now considered among the main roundings, is close to the green fee, with buggy included, on tours in Andalucía, is about to take and Valderrama courses, both of all three courses for 149 euros, or pay place. The first leg of this tour, which which have hosted top level inter- a discounted price of 65 euros to includes some of the best courses national competitions such as the play one of the legs, at Alcaidesa, Ca- in the country, will be at Alcaidesa Andalucía Masters. The complex has bopino or El Paraíso (the normal cost on 25 May. It will be played under two courses of its own, Alcaidesa would be 120 euros). Stableford individual rules, where Links (the only ‘links’ style course The Grand Final will be played by each hole is scored in relation to its in southern Europe, with no trees the best-classified golfers in the dif- par strokes (one point for a bogey, and undulating terrain, similar to St ferent categories. two for the par, three for a birdie Andrews in Scotland) and Alcaidesa The Costa del Golf Tour is spon- and four for an eagle). Reaching the Heathland, with a total of 36 pro- sored by Acosol, Marcos 1942, Da final will depend on the results fessional holes and spectacular views Bruno restaurant and the Junta de across the three days of competi- of the sea, Gibraltar and Africa. Andalucía. In addition to the four tion, although the players can reg- The second leg of the tour will be courses hosting the events, other ister for one, two or all three legs, at Cabopino, on the eastern side of The Costa del Golf Tour is considered one of the best for fans in collaborators are Andalucía Golf Se- with the chance of playing in the , opposite the marina of Andalucía. :: SUR lect, Copyrap, Golfriends and final in each case. the same name. It has 18 holes, is FC&CO. The second leg will be at Cabop- more than 5,000 square metres in The third leg will be held at El course extends for 6,131 metres from In previous years the tour, which ino on 30 June, and the third will size and was designed by architect Paraíso, with its wide fairways sur- its magnificent tees. has been taking place for five years, take place on 7 July at El Paraíso. The Juan Ligués Creus. The course at Ca- rounded by palms, pines, oleanders has attracted nearly 1,000 amateur grand final will be at Guadalmina, bopino has stunning views of the and olive trees, with streams and Grand Final players, competing in men’s and on 28 July. Mediterranean. two magnificent lakes. The par 71 The Grand Final of the Costa del Golf women’s categories.

derrama Masters are already avail- able and prices vary between eight and 20 euros. Tickets for the Pro-Am day (17 October) cost eight euros; on The Andalucía Masters is aiming high Thursday 18 and Friday 19, when the first and second rounds are played, they cost 12 euros; while on Satur- day 20 and Sunday 21, tickets cost 20 euros each day. Under 14s, if accom- The tournament will be considered an tournament and a strong indication “Winning at Valderrama was very panied by an adult, go free. event of exceptional public interest and that it will be around for many years special. The truth is that it was in- to come, after having left such a big credible to do it in Spain, on one of A unique setting therefore receive state funding gap in the international calendar be- my favourite courses in front of so Real Club Valderrama is located just tween 2012 and 2016. many fans and, above all, close to my a couple of kilometres from Gibral- Defending champion, Sergio family.” tar and little more than an hour from García, said at the presentation for He added, “It was a very nice Malaga Airport. :: ALEJANDRO DÍAZ lowing its successful return to the this year’s tournament, to take place week. I played well but the most Valderrama is a private members’ MALAGA. The Andalucía Valder- European Tour last year. in October, that his victory last year important thing was that I was in club which allows visitors at certain rama Masters golf tournament is set The support programme is due to was the “cherry on top” of a fine sea- the right state of mind. There were times of day. Since 1988, it has been to receive state funding after being start on 1 July and run until 31 De- son on his part, having also won the moments that tested me but I was considered one of the top clubs in included in the provisional budget cember 2020 and will help towards Masters at Augusta and the Omega able to react. Europe and has been included in the for this year. This comes after the operating costs and the creation of Dubai . “Valderrama is a very demanding majority of the top-100 rankings ever tournament was classified as an event other parallel activities. Thousands of fans turned out last course and requires a lot of patience.” published. The course has a par of 71 of exceptional public interest, fol- It is seen as a major boost to the time out and according to García, Tickets to see the Andalucía Val- and measures 6,390 metres. May 2018 ANDALUCÍA 5 COSTA DEL GOLF M

6 ANDALUCÍA May 2018 COSTA DEL GOLF

Cordoba combines all the very best of Andalucía in the spring

Caliphate and also, amazingly, con- The city, which is a favourite destination because of its history tains a Christian cathedral in the interior. Other attractions include and culture, also has some interesting options for golf the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, which was the fortress and palace of the Christian monarchs, the Ro- man bridge and Albolafía water wheel, the Calahorra tower, the n Andalucía the month of Jewish quarter, the patios, the Plaza May can be summed up in just del Potro and numerous other en- one special word: Cordoba. At chanting places in this, one of the I this time of year the ‘city of most beautiful cities in Spain. the three cultures’ celebrates sev- eral festivals, each with its own Golf courses traditions, making it a favourite For golf lovers, Cordoba also has destination for a getaway. Golf also some interesting options and this has a role to play in making this segment of tourism is becoming an ideal place to visit in spring, as more popular in the area nowa- we will see later in this article. days. Perhaps the best-known fa- In fact, the May celebrations be- cility is the Club de Campo y De- gin early in Cordoba. The ‘Cruces portivo de Cordoba, a sports and de Mayo de Cordoba’, which has leisure centre which opened in the just finished, began on 27 April and 1970s thanks to the initiative of a this year there were 48 beautiful group of golfing enthusiasts who floral crosses on display. Every year decided to focus their efforts on a competition is held to decide promoting their favourite sport. which cross is the loveliest. The club is situated in the Sierra For those who are not aware of Morena, with panoramic views the ‘Cruces de Mayo’, these are over beautiful countryside. It cov- large crosses erected in the patios ers 70 hectares, including wood- and public squares of the city, and lands of pine and oak trees. The decorated with flowers and lace course has very well-protected shawls. greens and although they are easy As is usual in Andalucía, no fes- to read they always demand full tival would be complete without concentration. The fairways are a party atmosphere, and in Cor- wide and surrounded by Mediter- doba local residents’ associations ranean woodland. This is a techni- and clubs set up temporary bars in cal course where players need to the streets of the different districts think hard if they are to complete so those visiting the crosses can Cordoba’s Mosque-Cathedral is probably its most famous monument. :: SUR it in as few strokes as possible. refresh themselves with typical Another option is the Po- and drinks. There is music zoblanco Golf Club. Federated in and dancing, and the entertain- In May visitors can 1982, the vegetation is predomi- ment continues until late in the discover the magic of the nantly oak trees. The nine-hole evening. A stroll through the San Cabeza Oliva golf course at Po- Basilio, San Andrés and San Agustín patios, which are opened zoblanco is easy to walk because districts during this festival will to the public, and the it is mainly flat, so you can enjoy provide visitors with an everlast- charms of this ancient city a day of golf without getting too ing memory of Cordoba in May. tired. This course has enormous Until 13 May, around 40 of Cor- potential; it has been greatly im- doba’s patios are open to visitors proved and is set on one of the big- during the day, and in the evening, gest grasslands in Europe. amid the fragrance of jasmine and ditional costume, ride horses, and Golf, then, is another reason to orange blossom, people gather to- party in the numerous bars (called spend a few days in Cordoba. In gether to listen to flamenco mu- ‘casetas’). These are open to the May, those planning to play a few sic and chat with friends: another public, and everyone is welcome rounds will find this a unique des- unique and atmospheric experi- to join in the fun. tination in Andalucía, a city which ence for visitors to enjoy. The dancing, the , the ta- brings together all the best of the In the liveliest areas of the city, pas, the costumes, the atmosphere: region throughout the month. especially San Basilio and Alcázar all these combine to make this fair There is plenty of accommodation Viejo, there are outdoor bars and a rival to those in any other Anda- available, much of it in the heart music. The Friends of the Patios lusian city. For those who enjoy bull- of the historic city centre. Association, which restores old fights, several take place at Los Cali- And to make this the perfect geta- houses in Cordoba, also opens Pozoblanco Golf Club. :: SUR fas bullring during the fair, includ- way, don’t forget to sample the Cor- those patios to the public during ing some very famous ‘toreros’. doban gastronomy: Montilla-Moriles this festival. agreed in advance with the organ- throughout that time there are nu- wines, ‘salmorejo’ soup, Serrano ham The ‘Patios de Cordoba’ festival isers. merous music and dance perform- Unique heritage and an endless range of delicious reci- was declared an Intangible Cul- The festival comes to an end ances and a wide range of other ac- The key to Cordoba’s success as a pes made with the finest local prod- tural Heritage of Humanity by with a street party in the San Ba- tivities. tourist destination lies in its his- ucts, to delight any palate. Unesco in 2012 and it is a represen- silio district, beside the Caballeri- To bring this month of festivals tory and culture. The city was clas- In the city centre, visitors can tation of the traditional Cordoban zas Reales. The local residents’ as- to an end there is the Cordoba Fair, sified as a World Heritage Site in find everything from the most tra- way of life, in houses with flower- sociation sets up a bar next to the which is held in honour of Nues- 1994, and art and history ooze from ditional dishes to the most avant- filled patios, terraces and balco- Belén Tower, and the cafe-bars in tra Señora de la Salud, the patron every corner. garde and fusion cuisine. To sum nies. The participants open their Calle San Basilio play music and saint of the city. The celebrations Cordoba is mainly known for its up, then, Cordoba is the ideal des- patios to the public free of charge also sell drinks. The Patios Festi- are centred around El Arenal fair- Mosque, a unique monument tination for travellers who are in at certain times of day which are val lasts for two weeks, and ground, where people dress in tra- which shows the splendour of the love with Andalucía. May 2018 ANDALUCÍA 7 COSTA DEL GOLF M

8 ANDALUCÍA May 2018 COSTA DEL GOLF

THE MONTH IN PHOTOS  Prize. Pablo Larrazábal, one of the more reliable members of the ‘Armada’ was re- warded for his ca- reer performances so far before his at- tempt at claiming the Open de Es- paña. He was awarded the bronze medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit from the National Sports Council. “It makes it all worth it when your efforts are recognised,” he said. :: EFE

Lotte Championship. San Pedro golfer Azahara Muñoz showed a glimpse of her best form as she came second in Hawaii - her best result on the LPGA in months. She finished four off eventual winner Brooke Henderson. :: SUR

Spanish Tour. The spirit of re- mains strong. The Spanish PGA Tour, this time named in his honour, gets under way at the end of the month, taking in six destinations across Spain, including in El Ingenio Women’s Open. Carmen López (31 points) was Andalucía. the first category winner of the inaugural Open Femenino Centro Both women Comercial El Ingenio, held at Baviera Golf - an attempt to promote and men will the sport among women on the eastern Costa del Sol. Local players compete this Rosa María Ruiz (39 points) and Eli Fernández (30 points) won the year. :: SUR second and third categories, respectively. :: SUR

Published by Prensa Malagueña, S.A. Director General José Luis Romero 2018 AGENDA Andalucía Costa del Golf is a Diario SUR publication 25 May 23 June 21 July 25 August Alcaidesa Mijas Mijas Mijas Editor in chief Costa del Golf Tour Gran Premio Solidarios Gran Premio Electrónica Asociación Tamisuel Manuel Castillo Open tournament Open tournament Open tournament Open tournament Director of publications Pedro Luis Gómez 1 June 25 June 28 July 30 August Production Alberto Gómez Lauro Cabopino Guadalmina Lauro Alejandro Díaz Camp. España. 3ª Cat. Costa del Golf Tour Costa del Golf Tour Final Campeonato Infantil Reale Open tournament Open tournament Qualification through early rounds Open tournament Advertising Corporación de Medios 2 June 7 July 28 July 2 September del Sur, S.L. Mijas El Paraíso Mijas Mijas Gran Premio AFA Fuengirola Costa del Golf Tour Premio Lucha Contra el Cáncer Clubes de Golf de Andalucía Telephone: 952 649 700 Fax: 952 612591 Open tournament Open tournament Open tournament Open tournament

2 June 7 July 10 August 25 November La Cala Mijas Mijas Mijas Cudeca Golf Cup Memorial Blas Fernández Memorial Felipe Pérez Clubes de Golf de Andalucía Open tournament Open tournament Open tournament Open tournament We would like to hear from you! Please send any golfing news 14 June 14 July 18 August from your clubs to Mijas Mijas Mijas [email protected] ASGA Maderas Gómez Gran Premio Sanitubo Open tournament Open tournament Open tournament MA- 343 96