Nº 285 - MAY 2019 - FREE COPY

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR La Reserva de Sotogrande is aiming high

Legend Annika Sorenstam is host of the first edition of this tournament [P7]

LPGA TOUR Muñoz shines again, claiming fifth top-10

The Malaga golfer finished eighth in San Woods rises The former world number one Francisco and climbs wins in Augusta after more back up the rankings [P2] from the ashes than a decade of personal scandals and injuries [P4] Tourist destination: Cordoba

This Andalusian province cele- brates spring with plenty on of- fer for golfers and numerous at- tractions for tourists [P6]

:: EFE 2 ANDALUCÍA May 2019 COSTA DEL GOLF

Muñoz making steady progress

The Marbella golfer secured her fifth top-10 finish of the year and continues her rise up the rankings

par to ensure eighth position. ALBERTO GÓMEZ She was able to recover from the bad moments (two double bogeys) she had on the penultimate and the final days, demonstrating once again her champion resolve. She remains among the eight best golf- MALAGA. Azahara Muñoz’s great ers this year and continues to climb run of form continues. The San Pe- in the world rankings. dro golfer was in with a chance of Less memorable in San Francisco victory on the last day of the Me- was the performance of compa- diheal Championship held at Lake triot , who finished Merced in San Francisco earlier this in 40th place with a final round of month, but it ultimately came 73. Despite this disappointing per- down to a memorable three-way formance, the golfer from Navarre tiebreaker between Sei Young Kim, also remains among the top ten on Bronte Law and Jeong Eun Lee. the LPGA Tour in 2019. Eventually it was the former who came out on top to claim the prize Tenth anniversary money. This year Muñoz celebrates her This outcome was far from dis- tenth anniversary as a player on appointing for Muñoz, however, the American tour and she wants who added yet another top-10 fin- to celebrate. In San Francisco she ish to her record, extending her sealed her fifth top-10 finish of the fine run on the LPGA Tour. She year and in just five months she handed a card of 70 strokes on the has already won nearly 400,000 final day and finished four under dollars in prize money. She came close to winning the Kia Classic, where she finished sec- ond and she came third in the HSBC World Championship, sixth in the Australian Open and fifth in the Handa Vic Open. Her good start to the year has pushed her back into the top 30 in the world rankings, where she has become among the top Azahara Muñoz pictured suring this season. :: SUR Published by Prensa fifteen players. Malagueña, S.A. Muñoz alternates between the tournaments in the world, with first years as a professional before States, where universities offer Director General American and European tours and nearly 400,000 dollars in prize permanently settling in Florida many more facilities for elite ath- José Luis Romero five titles under her belt, among money. where she lives with Tim Vickers, letes than in Europe.

Andalucía Costa del Golf them the Sybase Match Champi- The Marbella native lived on whom she married in 2015. Muñoz It has been ten years and now is a Diario SUR publication onship, one of the most important both sides of the ‘pond’ during her is a player forged in the United the sky’s the limit.

Editor in chief Manuel Castillo AGENDA 2019 Director of publications Pedro Luis Gómez 11 May Open tournament Open tournament Campeonato de España Production Alberto Gómez Aloha Interclubes Infantil 2019 Alejandro Díaz Torneo Benéfico Concordia 13 July 13 August Open tournament Open tournament Aloha Aloha Advertising Torneo Benéfico Horizonte Torneo Junior 28 September Corporación de Medios 8 June Open tournament Open tournament Torrequebrada golf del Sur, S.L. Aloha Campeonato de España Dobles Torneo Benéfico Niños Mariposa 20 July 17 August Senior Femenino 2019 Telephone: 952 649 700 Open tournament Aloha Aloha Open tournament Fax: 952 612 591 Torneo infantil Torneo padre e hijos 17 June Open tournament Open tournament 5 October Lauro Aloha Interautonómico Absoluto 3 August 22 August Trofeo Benéfico ASPANDEM Femenino 2019 Aloha Bil Bil Golf Open tournament Open tournament Valle del Golf Aloha - Brisas Campeonato de España Sub 16 y We would like to hear from you! Open tournament Benjamín de Pitch & Putt 2019 5 October Please send any golfing news from your clubs to 24 June Open tournament Aloha [email protected] Antequera Golf 10 August ‘Pitch and Putt’ Nacional Campeonato de Europa Aloha 29 August Open tournament MA- 343 96 Universitario 2019 Memorial Ibarrondo Lauro May 2019 ANDALUCÍA 3 COSTA DEL GOLF M

The Costa del Golf Tour returns

Players can now sign up for the tour, organised by SUR, which will get under way in June and take in some of the region’s most impressive courses

:: ALEJANDRO DÍAZ Surrounded by steep mountains grande and Valderrama, and close to MALAGA. The Costa del Golf Tour, and only 10 minutes from Marbella, San Roque, La Línea and Gibraltar. considered one of the main amateur the impeccable fairways of Los Ar- The final day will be held at Ca- tournaments in Andalucía, is just queros Golf & Country Club are em- bopino Golf on 21 July. Cabopino around the corner. Golfers of all lev- bedded in a spectacular mountain- Golf is located at the easternmost els are invited to participate in the ous landscape where players enjoy end of Marbella opposite the Cabop- tour, this year with four legs, organ- exceptional views over the ino marina. It has a 5,170-metre par- ised by SUR and its specialist publi- Mediterranean. 71 course (18 holes) designed by the cation Costa del Golf, which kicks The second round will take place architect Juan Ligués Creus and, like off on 15 June. at El Paraíso Golf on 30 June. Designed Los Arqueros, offers spectacular sea The first leg of this tour, which in 1973 by Gary Player, together with views. This is the biggest amateur tour in Andalucía. :: SUR will take in some of the best courses Kirby, the course at El Paraíso is lo- in the country, will take place on 15 cated in the municipality of Estepona The grand finale Access to the final depends on the ariosur.es/) has launched an offer to June at Los Arqueros Golf. As with and is characterised by the diversity On 27 July, the grand finale will be results of the first four days of com- participate in the competition (green every stage on the tour, it will be of plants and trees and its proximity held at Guadalmina. For its part, Gua- petition, though players can also reg- fee and ‘buggy included) for just 179 played under the individual stable- to stunningly beautiful lakes. dalmina has two courses, one north ister for one, two or three legs and euros. Registration for one of the ford rules, where each hole is scored The third will be on 6 July at Al- and one south, and also boasts un- still be in with a chance for qualify- three tournaments costs 120 euros in relation to the par (one point for caidesa Golf, which is located in a beatable views, as well as being one ing for the final. individually, though through Ofer- a bogey, two for par, three for a birdie unique environment, surrounded by of the most well-kept courses on the Registration for the tour is now plan, you can get a discount (65 euros and four for an eagle). the exquisite golf courses of Soto- Costa del Sol. open. Oferplan (https://oferplan.di- each). 4 ANDALUCÍA May 2019 COSTA DEL GOLF

Woods strikes back at Augusta and wins his first major in 11 years

The former world number one has overcome more than a decade AUGUSTA of injuries and personal scandals to take his 15th major title CLASSIFICATION 1. Tiger Woods -13 2. Dustin Johnson -12 2. Xander Schauffele -12 2. Brooks Koepka -12 ALBERTO 5. Jason Day -11 GÓMEZ

WORLD CLASSIFICATION

e did it again. When it 1. Dustin Johnson seemed impossible, when 2. Justin Rose 3. Brooks Koepka everybody thought he was 4. Rory McIlroy H finished after a difficult 5. Justin Thomas decade marked by injuries and per- sonal scandals, Tiger Woods conquered the Augusta Masters, his first major ger who revved up in the second nine win in 11 years, to revive his legend to confidently reach the 18th. and expand it to 15 ‘majors’. The Californian made another bo- Tiger started the final day two be- gey at the fifth hole, but after eight hind Italian player Francesco Moli- holes he was already just one away nari but, showing the same determi- from Molinari. The birdies at the 13th, nation he had displayed from the start, 15th and 16th put Tiger ahead and he the Californian found no rival and unflinchingly approached the final took the lead with three holes to go. stretch to his 15th Jacket 13 below Spanish player Jon Rahm finished in and with an option of two putts at the Top Ten and Rafael Cabrera-Bello the 18th. One stroke away were John- made a dignified exit at 36th. son, Xander Schauffele and Koepka. The excitement around Tiger Tiger is now catching up with Nick- Woods has been increasing from the Woods is helped into the legendary Green by the 2018 winner, Patrick Reed. :: SUR laus, who has won six Masters and, moment he returned to golf at the above all, 18 majors. Right now, end of 2017, finally without pain, af- itself and in 2018 he joined the bat- the start of the decisive day forward, jackets, also upset Brooks Koep and Woods’ performance is a reminder of ter previous injuries and multiple op- tle for tournaments, including the and it was played in groups of three. Ian Poulter. As they had all week, the the glorious times, winning as José erations on his back. Before that, he majors, where he had options in the Tiger went into battle with Tony Fi- big names brought glamour and ex- María Olazabal did 20 years ago when had touched rock bottom and was ar- British and the PGA Championship. nau and a Molinari who had already citement to the tournament. Dustin he believed that pain would beat him, rested in May when driving under Free of pain and with his eye on vic- clipped the American’s wings in The Johnson, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler in a match where nobody dared to the effects of different medications. tory, Woods revived his legend in Open. The Italian, who was hugely and Webb Simpson were putting pres- predict a winner. “I don’t know what However, he put that ordeal behind Augusta. “I’ll get up at 3.45am and I’ll popular last year, made a double bo- sure on, as was Rahm. The Spaniard I did, except I screamed, this means when he walked onto the Albany Golf be ready,” he said after the Saturday, gey at the 12th and 15th holes. The played his best round with 64 strokes, everything to me. Last year I was Course and began to feel part of golf hours before winning. stream at the 12th, Rae’s Creek, which for a total of 10 below and joint ninth lucky just to be able to play,” he said, again. His talent surfaced almost by The bad weather forecast brought has dashed so many hopes of green place, witness to the return of a Ti- before donning the green jacket.

spite being practically retired. Talking to the press, Rahm admit- ted that he really wanted to do well Spain puts up a good fight in the majors and it had been one of his obsessions since turning profes- sional. “When you start a season, the majors are always on your mind. They Rahm finished in the top ten at Augusta, are what define a player’s career. We SPANISH POSITIONS have Rickie Fowler as an example; while Cabrera-Bello was among the top 11. Jon Rham he has been part of the world elite for 29. Sergio García many years and has won five or six 40 and García failed to make the cut 31. Rafa Cabrera-Bello 65. Jorge Campillo times on the PGA Tour. Then there is 77. Adrián Otaegui Brooks Koepka, who has also been 128. Adrián Arnaus professional for years, including play- ing in Europe, but of his five or six :: ALBERTO GÓMEZ ones, in the battle with the best, a tee and the green,” said Rahm, who triumphs, three have been in Grand MALAGA. Once again he was the race which was finally won by Tiger his colleagues have nicknamed Slams and that’s why he is a much highest-classified Spanish player in Woods. Rahm ended the last day with Rahmbo and who ended in the Top more valued player than Fowler. Like a major tournament, and it is almost a round of 68 strokes which could Ten for the seventh time this season. in tennis, major tournaments affect becoming a habit. Jon Rahm ended have been less if he had achieved the Rafa Cabrera Bello also had a good your career”. in the Top Ten of the classification at hole in one that he looked likely to final round, with 68 strokes to end Rahm wasn’t surprised by Woods’ the Augusta Masters for the second do at the 16th. at -2 and in 36th place. He and Rahm win. “I have said for some time that time in three appearances, after end- “Few people could do a round like were the only two Spanish players he has wanted to win since he came ing fourth last year. The player from that, but I had no options. I was well competing at Augusta, because Ser- back, it was just a question of how the Basque Country, who is still only behind at the start, although still gio García, the winner in 2017, didn’t physically well he felt this week. I 23, started seven strokes behind Mo- closer than I expected. It’s a bitter- make the cut for his sixth consecu- played two rounds with him, and also linari, the provisional leader on the sweet feeling, because I had to really tive major tournament. Nor did in the Ryder, and he is incredible. He final day, but he was able to generate fight during the tournament and Rahm ended ninth and was the Chema Olazabal, who won in 1994 is the best irons player I have ever possibilities of victory, albeit remote things didn’t go too well between the best Spanish player again. :: SUR and 1999, and is still competing de- known, and he was on good form”. May 2019 ANDALUCÍA 5 COSTA DEL GOLF M

6 ANDALUCÍA May 2019 COSTA DEL GOLF

Spring in Andalucía means the famous May festivals in Cordoba

our of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, the Golfers who come to play their favourite sport can also enjoy some patron saint of the city. At the end of May, the fairground is filled with peo- traditional celebrations and see the sights in this World Heritage city ple, some on horseback, many women wearing the traditional long frilly dresses, and there is a lively atmos- phere in the bars which line the fair- ground and are open to everybody, ALEJANDRO residents and visitors alike. DÍAZ That is the place to be if you want sevillana dancing, dry sherry, tapas, Cordoban hats and ‘mantillas’ to ri- val any other city in Andalucía at fair time. The programme also in- cludes several bullfights, with some he month of May could al- of the most famous bullfighters of most be given another the moment. name in Andalucía: that of However, the key to Cordoba’s suc- T Cordoba, a province which cess as a tourist destination lies in its also boasts golfing attractions for those historical and cultural heritage. This visitors who are interested in a part is a city with many important build- of the market which is once again on ings and monuments, which was des- the rise in this region. ignated a World Heritage Site in 1994. For example, it is the home of the Here, art and history are to be found Club de Campo y Deportivo de Cor- around every corner. doba, a sports and social club which Cordoba is most famous for its began in the early 1970s thanks to Mosque, a unique building that shows the creativity and tenacity of a group the splendour of the Caliphate, but of local golf enthusiasts who decided we shouldn’t forget the cathedral, the to focus their efforts on promoting Alcázar de los Reyes Católicos, the their favourite sport. Roman bridge and Albolafía, the Ca- The club covers an area of 70 hec- lahorra tower, the Jewish district, the tares, including pine and oak The city’s patios are filled with flowers in the weeks before the late May fair. :: SUR patios, the Plaza del Potro and many woods, and its main attraction is a other delightful places of interest magnificent 18 hole, par 72 golf which make this, without a doubt, course which is visually enhanced Until 19 May Cordoba’s one of Spain’s loveliest cities. by its flora and fauna. famous patio festival is As well as the golf course, the Club taking place in different More golf offers a social club, restaurant and The province of Cordoba offers sev- equipment hire, as well as swimming parts of the city eral opportunities to play golf, and pools and tennis and padel courts. one of them is the Pozoblanco Golf However, if the province of Cor- Club. Federated in 1982, it is very at- doba is famous for anything in par- tractive with native vegetation, ticular during May, it has to be its fes- district - local associations are allowed mainly oak trees. The round is enjoy- tivals, all of which are different, and to set up bars in the streets and play able and easy to do on foot, because they make this ‘city of the three cul- music. The Friends of the Patios as- most of the nine holes are flat, so play- tures’ a popular destination for a short sociation is working on restoring old ers can have a fun day without get- break. As we will see later, its golf fa- houses which have fallen into disre- ting too tired. cilities are also a major attraction for pair, and once their patios are look- This is a golf course with tremen- lovers of this sport. ing good again, they are also opened dous potential. It has improved a Until 19 May, different parts of the to the public during the Festival. great deal in recent years and is set city are taking part in the floral patio The Patios of Córdoba were classi- amid one of the biggest grasslands competition, especially houses in the fied as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Spain, which contributes to en- Alcázar Viejo (or San Basilio) area. by Unesco in 2012 and they showcase suring that the local gastronomy is Parts of La Axerquía district, such as the Cordoban way of life: houses with The Pozoblanco golf course. :: SUR based on the finest products. the streets of San Agustín, San Pe- a patio filled with plants, wrought- There are more than enough rea- dro, Santa Marina and San Lorenzo, iron grilles over the windows and col- sons, therefore, to spend a few days are also lined with houses which have ourful pots of flowers on balconies. in Cordoba. Golf tourists will find become authentic examples of Cor- Those taking part open their patios it a unique Andalusian destination doban life and tradition. free of charge during certain hours of in May, a city which brings together Visitors to Cordoba in May can the day while the Festival is taking the best of the region throughout discover the magic of visiting the place, and these can normally be vis- the whole month. There is also an decorated patios and also enjoy the ited until 10pm. excellent range of accommodation, unbeatable facilities of the Club de There is always a party going on in much of it in the historic city cen- Campo y Deportivo de Cordoba, the San Basilio district, beside the tre. And to make a break absolutely which is set amid beautiful country- Caballerizas Reales, where the local perfect, there is the Cordoban gas- side in the Sierra Morena. residents association sets up a bar tronomy: Montilla-Moriles wines, The patios have a similar structure next to the Belén tower, making their salmorejo, Serrano ham and a seem- but every one is slightly different be- own contribution to the atmosphere ingly endless range of local dishes cause it is decorated to the residents’ by playing music and selling drinks. to delight the palate. Visitors can individual taste. Broadly speaking, Numerous performances and paral- enjoy everything from the most they can be divided into two types: lel activities also take place in the city traditional cuisine to avant-garde patios whose architecture is old, and during the two weeks of the festival. and fusion. more modern versions. As if all this festivity were not It can truly be said that Cordoba In the busiest areas, especially San enough, the Cordoba Fair will also be is the ideal destination for all visi- Basilio - which is the Alcázar Viejo taking place soon. It is held in hon- May is the most popular month for tourism in Cordoba. :: SUR tors who love Andalucía. May 2019 ANDALUCÍA 7 COSTA DEL GOLF M

La Reserva de Sotogrande aims high

Golfing legend Annika Sorenstam is the ambassador for the first edition of this tournament

:: ALBERTO GÓMEZ own record in Sotogrande and MALAGA. More than 120 players, closely follow the evolution of the 27 countries and five continents. That Ladies European Tour at the same may be a rapid summary, but it does time. However, there are other con- give a certain perspective on the di- tenders at La Reserva too, and top The tournament is being screened on Movistar Golf, Teledeporte and Andalucía TV. :: SUR versity of those taking part in the La level ones at that. Reserva de Sotogrande Invitational. Annika Sorenstam, who has won (accumulating 24 points) and once ing to walk away with the trophy follow, with three titles on the La- This tournament on the Ladies ten ‘majors’ and is a member of the as captain, in 2017. are Marianne Skarpnord, Anne Van dies European Tour and the Order of European Tour, being held at the golfing Hall of Fame, is the ambas- As ambassador of the tourna- Dam and Meghan MacLaren, win- Merit in 2016, and so is young Kan- course designed by Cabell B. Robin- sador of this first edition of the ment, Sorenstam will be giving a ners on the Ladies European Tour yalak Preedasuttijit from Thailand, son, began on Thursday and runs un- tournament. Unanimously consid- clinic for young golfers and is also this year and also well placed in winner of the Ladies European Thai- til Sunday, 19 May. The tournament ered one of the best female golf- taking part in the ‘pro-am’. the classification. land Championship a few months could have notable repercussions on ers of all time with 72 international One of the players from the An- Catherine Hedwall is also one to ago, and Welsh players Becky Mor- the road towards the . wins and topping the list of his- nika Foundation, which offers op- watch; she has six titles behind her gan and Becky Brewerton. , who will be torical earnings on the LPGA Tour portunities to female golfers at and was the first winner in the his- Spanish players Nuria Iturrios, captaining the European team in (more than 22 million dollars), the youth, university and professional tory of the Soldheim Cup capable of Luna Sobrón, Silvia Bañón, Noemí this biennial competition which 48-year-old from Sweden has also level, has also been invited to play winning five matches in the same Jiménez, Carmen Alonso and María takes place at Gleneagles in Sep- represented Europe nine times at in the tournament. edition. Parra are also taking part in the tember, will be trying to boost her the Solheim Cup, eight as a player Among the golfers who are hop- Beth Allen is also interesting to tournament.

headed the ‘handicap’ classification in the female category and Javier Calvo Sanz, from the Rey Juan Car- los University, the male category. UMA’s golfers shine at national With regards to the ‘scratch’ modal- ity, the winners were also, in both categories, Serrano and Pastor. university championships For the first time in the history of the Spanish University Champi- onships, a single autonomous com- munity played host. The seven uni- versities in the Valencian Commu- nity organised the 25 champion- Esperanza Serrano and Víctor Pastor came out on top in Alicante ships in which more than 4,200 ath- letes from 75 universities from all where they took on more than a 100 other students over Spain participated in the dis- ciplines of chess, athletics, cross- country, climbing, fencing, golf, judo, karate, swimming, orienteer- ing, padel, taekwondo, tennis, ta- :: COSTA DEL GOLF ble tennis, archery, triathlon, sail- olf proved to be a lucky ing, beach volleyball, football, in- omen for the University door football, basketball, handball of Malaga (UMA) as Es- and volleyball. G peranza Serrano and Víc- Alba Pérez and Ana Varo, also tor Pastor came out on top in a field from UMA, came third in the padel of more than 100 students from 38 tournament, attended by more than universities during the Spanish Uni- 180 participants - the biggest to versity Championships which ran date. from 2 March until 15 May. The University of Malaga was also The pair were proclaimed cham- the winner of the 3x3 basketball, pions at the end of the third day of winning every match to secure the championship, held at El Plantío qualification for the European Uni- golf club in Alicante. versity Championships that will be During the three days, the 73 held in Porto between 31 July and male and 30 female athletes also 3 August. competed in handicap, scratch and However, it was in golf where team modalities. Marta Ayala Orel- UMA, increasingly competitive on lana, from the University of Seville, The University of Malaga has a strong golf team. :: SUR a national level, shone most brightly. 8 ANDALUCÍA May 2019 COSTA DEL GOLF