Tag Archives: Gonzaga Escauriaza

European Tour – The Mutuactivos Open de España will not take place in 2020

July 13, 2020 – Due to the uncertainty created by the Covid-19 epidemic, and as a consequence of the lack of a satisfactory date on the schedule after the restructuring of various tournaments, the Mutuactivos Open de España will not be held in 2020.

The cancellation comes from a consensual decision between Madrid Trophy Promotion (MTP), the promotors of the Mutuactivos Open de España, the European Tour and the Real Federación Española de Golf (RFEG), and is based on two main causes: the current situation, which means the Mutuactivos Open de España cannot be held as it was in 2019, maintaining the continuous line of innovation and quality that was started last season, and the impossibility of finding a suitable date after the adjustments made to the schedule, with many tournaments having been delayed as a consequence of covid-19.

“Unfortunately, we have had to make a decision that is painful for everyone”, said Gerard Tsobanian, president and CEO of Madrid Trophy Promotions. “However, given the current circumstances, we believe that the most reasonable outcome is to not hold the 2020 edition and now focus all our efforts on next year. The passion with which we embarked on this adventure remains intact and we are going to work to maintain our quality standards in 2021”, he added. “I’d like to thank all the sponsors of the Mutuactivos Open de España for their support and desire to continue with us”. 

“Spain has played such an important role in the European Tour’s history that we look forward to working with Gerard Tsobanian and his team on the return of the Mutuactivos Open de España in 2021”, said Keith Waters, chief operating officer of European Tour. “Madrid Trophy Promotion’s sporting vision and commitment to golf ensures this tournament will have a bright future”.

For his part, Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the RFEG, stated that “not playing the Mutuactivos Open de España is a shame for everyone, but the three parties involved in its organisation are in no doubt that it is the correct decision given the huge uncertainty created by the pandemic and the difficulty of finding an ideal date. Despite that, we are still as enthusiastic as when we started this new project and we are now going to work together to make sure the next Mutuactivos Open de España is just as spectacular and unforgettable as the 2019 edition”.

In October 2019, the MTP’s first year at the helm of the historic tournament, together with the European Tour and the RFEG, the Mutuactivos Open de España attracted 31,219 people to the tournament over four days at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, where Jon Rahm took the spoils in a successful defence of his crown.

Any fans who have already purchased tickets for the 2020 Mutuactivos Open de España will receive a full refund in the coming weeks.

2022 Ryder Cup – Spain announces PGA Catalunya as its Candidate to host The Ryder Cup

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November 24, 2014 – The Real Federación Española de Golf (RFEG), in partnership with Generalitat de Catalunya and other public Spanish and Catalan stakeholders, have announced their intention to bid to bring The 2022 Ryder Cup to Catalunya. PGA Catalunya Resort (Girona), recently awarded European Golf Resort of the Year 2015, is the proposed venue for golf’s biggest confrontation between Europe and the United States.

The RFEG is working closely with stakeholders from across Spain and Catalunya, including the Sports Council of Spain (CSD), Generalitat de Catalunya, PGA Catalunya Resort, Diputación de Barcelona, Diputación de Girona, Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona, City of Barcelona, City of Girona, City of Caldes de Malavella and the Federación Catalana de Golf to develop their bid dossier for submission to the European Tour Selection Committee by 30th April 2015.

Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the RFEG, said: “Few countries in the world have contributed as much to the development and promotion of European golf as Spain has over the last 30 years. Bringing The Ryder Cup to Spain is a central part of our strategy and will continue our proud PGA European Tour heritage. The Ryder Cup’s power to drive participation amongst new players and showcase our world class courses across the globe is unique. We are delighted to have received so much committed support from stakeholders and we look forward to submitting a compelling bid to The European Tour.”

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Iván Tibau, Secretary General for Sport, Generalitat de Catalunya, said: “The world cities of Barcelona and Girona will be the gateways for golf fans from across the globe to experience the world leading cultural attractions, hospitality and landscape of Catalunya. We have a world class venue, established infrastructure and an unparalleled track record of delivering the world’s largest events. We should be very confident in our credentials and our ability to meet all of the requirements of a modern Ryder Cup. All of our partners recognise the wide ranging benefits that The Ryder Cup will generate – our bid committee is unified in its commitment to bringing The 2022 Ryder Cup to Catalunya.”

Denis O’Brien, PGA Catalunya Resort proprietor, said: “From its inception, the Stadium Course was designed and built with the intention to one day host The Ryder Cup. Hosting the 2022 match would be the realisation of this vision. We have worked extremely hard and invested significantly in recent years to make PGA Catalunya Resort unique. It is much more than a golf resort; it is a global golf destination. We have plans to further develop our courses and luxury property offering to introduce to the world the next generation of golf resort. This bid has our full commitment.”

RFEG is partnering with The Sports Consultancy to manage Catalunya’s bid response.

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RYDER CUP NEXT VENUES

  • 2016: Hazeltine National Golf Club (Chaska, Minnesota, U.S.)
  • 2018: Le Golf National (Paris, France)
  • 2020: Whistling Straist (Kohler, Wisconsin, U.S.)
  • 2022: Por decidir (Europe)
  • 2024: Bethpage Black Course (Nueva York, U.S.)