Tag Archives: RC Valderrama

RC Valderrama – 25th anniversary of the historic 1997 Ryder Cup with the Andalucía Masters just at the corner

26 September, 2022 REDACCIÓN

September 26, 2022 – There are not many events capable of influencing the evolution of a sport or even an entire country. Spain has been fortunate enough to host some of these events, such as the 1982 World Cup, the 1992 Olympic Games and the Ryder Cup held in 1997 at Real Club Valderrama, home of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.

From October 13-16, spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy this event of the DP World Tour, the Spanish event with a higher money purse, and walk the same holes played by golfers such as Tiger Woods, José María Olazábal, Fred Couples and Nick Faldo in that historic duel won by the European team captained by Seve Ballesteros.

That Ryder Cup, the first held in continental Europe, marked a turning point in the popularisation of golf in our country and served as a spectacular boost for the promotion of Spain, Andalusia and the Costa del Sol as tourist and sport destination, benefits that are still being reaped 25 years later. Furthermore, that Ryder Cup, which came to Real Club Valderrama thanks to the efforts of Jaime Ortiz-Patiño and the support of a good number of institutional and private sponsors, is inextricably linked to the figure of the two number one players that Spanish golf has had throughout its history: Seve Ballesteros and Jon Rahm.

Nacho Garrido, Seve Ballesteros, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and José María Olazábal with the Ryder Cup (©GettyImages)

Seve Ballesteros, transformer of today’s DP World Tour, was at the helm of the European team (which included José María Olazábal and Nacho Garrido as players and Miguel Ángel Jiménez as vice-captain) and his meticulous approach was indispensable in leading the European team to the final victory over the United States. The 14 ½ -13 ½ win was clinched on the last hole of the final match of the final day when Colin Montgomerie conceded the final putt to Scott Hoch to earn a vital half point.

“For me it was a very special Ryder Cup: after all the Ryder Cups Seve and I had played together, it was the first time I played for him as captain. Seve was attentive to everything. He demanded a lot from us, the same as he had always demanded from himself and he was on top of all the players. Seve studied the American team’s game in depth and prepared the course so that we all played from the same areas to have the same opportunities, and with the help of “Pisha”, his right-hand man, he was absolutely right when choosing pairings. He conveyed to us the passion he put into everything he did and he was a great captain”, recalled José María Olazábal on the 20th anniversary of the 1997 Ryder Cup.

Although Jon Rahm was just a two years old kid when the Ryder Cup was played at Valderrama, his sporting future was also marked by that competition.

“Some friends of my father’s were at the 1997 Ryder Cup. When they came back, they encouraged him to play golf and we signed up for Eduardo Celles’ school. That’s how it all started, if it wasn’t for that Ryder Cup, I probably wouldn’t be here”, explained Rahm on his first appearance at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters. That trip by Jon Rahm’s parents friends, was decisive in directing their children steps towards golf, something that also changed the history of this sport in our country.

For his part, Rahm has always pointed to Seve Ballesteros as a beacon and reference.

“I don’t take it as a pressure being seen as a revulsive for golf, for me it’s a motivation. I would love to be able to help golf, even if it’s a small part of what Seve did in his time. I play thanks to him and the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama,” he explained Jon Rahm at the 2018 Open de España.

The course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the best in Spain according to the most prestigious specialised publications, has been hosting top level tournaments such as the Volvo Masters since 1988, but was established in that glorious and unforgettable Ryder Cup.

25 years later, spectators will be able to experience again a good deal of unique moments at the eighth edition of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, which has a comprehensive ticketing offer with individual day tickets, and four-day and weekend passes, with preferential rates for federated golfers and free entry for children under 13.

Tickets can be purchased at edamgolf.es, from the Tickets menu on the tournament website or at the DP World Tour website.

DP World Tour, Sustainable Golf

RC Valderrama – The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters reinforces its social and environmental commitment

10 October, 2021 REDACCIÓN

October 10, 2021 – Beyond the results, the champions who have triumphed in the six editions held to date, and the spectacle enjoyed by the fans at the Real Club Valderrama, Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters has always been characterised by its commitment to the environment and local communities. Once again this year, the event, which will take place from October 14-17 on the beautiful Sotogrande course, will be accompanied by various initiatives that enhance its essence, starting with the beach clean-up at Playa de Torreguadiaro next Tuesday from 10 h.

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters is proud to be part of the European Tour Green Drive, delivering its vision to showcase social and environmental responsibility and deliver net positive impacts in sustainability. In this case, the action scheduled for the morning of October 12th will have an immediate and visible effect, as volunteers will be collecting rubbish and microplastics in this wonderful environment of the San Roque coastline.

Almost 8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters every year in the oceans via different means and its presence is extremely harmful for biodiversity since it’s directly contributing towards the reduction and extinction of marine wildlife. The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters team have organised this Beach Clean-Up with a simple goal: to try to collect as much plastic and waste as possible to help keep our beaches and oceans clean and safe for all.

Besides, the volunteers will be helped by local stars Alejandro Cañizares and Santi Tarrío, and will see their efforts and commitment rewarded because the first 200 participants will receive a grounds access ticket for Saturday 16th October at the Estrella Damm Andalucía Masters at Real Club Valderrama. Volunteers just need to show up at the Registration area by the flags on Playa de Torreguadiaro.

Another initiative launched in 2020 by European Tour officials remains in recent memory, the Golf for Good program that raised €100,000 for four local charities, with money pledged for every birdie and eagle made on the iconic 17th hole at Real Club Valderrama. It is also worth mentioning the efforts of the Sergio García Foundation in previous editions to support entities such as the association Por Una Sonrisa, an NGO that brings illusion, happiness and hope to children and adolescents affected by cancer in hospitals in the area.

All these initiatives make it clear that the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters transcends the barriers of sport and strengthens the ties between golf and society.

Tickets are now available for this year’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with options for purchasing individual tickets for each day, four-day passes or weekend passes, with preferential rates for children under 14, federated golfers or people with reduced mobility.

More information on the tournament website.

Ryder Cup

Ryder Cup 1997 – 20 years ago in Spain, the Ryder Cup glory at Valderrama

1 October, 2017 REDACCIÓN

October 1, 2017 – Twenty years ago, the 28^th of September 1997 was a milestone in Valderrama history as Seve Ballesteros led Europe to a 14½ – 13½ victory in his home country when golf’s greatest team event was staged in Continental Europe for the first time. That week, the southern Spanish venue hit the headlines worldwide by hosting the world’s third biggest sports event after the Olympics and the World Cup.

The 32^ndRyder Cup was very special for José María Olazábal. “I have many great memories of that week at Valderrama. To begin with, the beautiful inauguration ceremony, and then the dowpour that fell in the early hours of Friday. According to local statistics it hadn’t rained that week for more than forty years, but that deluge made up for those and for the next forty!

“It was a very special Ryder Cup for me. After sharing so many with Seve as partners, having him as Captain was a very different feel. Seve was on top of every detail, he expected as much from us as he expected from himself. This made some players a bit uncomfortable, but I believe he did very well. We were close friends and we got on wonderfully.

“He had analysed every aspect of our opponents’ game and he prepared the course so we all had the same opportunities. With the help of Miguel, his right hand, he got the pairings completely right. He brought to the team the passion he put in everything he did – he was a great Captain.

“I clearly remember my Saturday morning four-ball with Nacho Garrido. The key moment was on 17 when we were really struggling against Phil Mickelson and Tom Lehman. Nacho’s second was bunkered past the green while Phil had hit a superb shot to six feet. Nacho’s bunker shot was amazing; the best bunker specialist couldn’t have done it in a hundred tries. He made his putt and Phil missed, so we halved that hole and eventually halved the match. It was an incredible moment.

“I got emotional at the final press conference when they asked me how I felt not having made it to the ’95 Ryder Cup; I recalled the tough times between ’95 and the first part of ’97 and I broke down; I was unable to talk for a while. To be there again on the winning team representing Europe, representing Spain, with Seve as Captain, meant the world to me.”

Olazábal, 51 years old from Hondarribia (Guipúzcoa), has played several events on the European and Champions Tours this season. The winner of 35 international titles – including two green jackets in 1994 and 1999 – seven-times Ryder Cup player and victorious Captain in 2012, member of the Hall of Fame since 2009, will tee it up at the Andalucía Valderrama Masters from October 19-22, although he admits not being at his best driving form “I am struggling to hit fairways, so I expect to visit all the cork trees again”, he adds with a grin.

Valderrama holds many good memories for the Spanish champion. “My best result was third at the 1989 Volvo Masters won by Ronan Rafferty. Without being long, Valderrama is one of the most demanding courses in the world; technical and narrow with small greens. You must keep perfectly focused from the first tee shot to the last putt. I know no other course that doesn’t allow for a moment of relaxation in 18 holes. It’s a great golf course and always in top condition.”

Golf Companies, Golf Courses and resorts, Sustainable Golf

Textron – RC Valderrama invest in the E-Z-GO ELiTE golf cars

7 September, 2017 REDACCIÓN

September 7, 2017 – Real Club Valderrama, host of the 1997 Ryder Cup, is the first golf club in Spain, and one of the first in Europe to purchase a fleet of the recently launched E-Z-GO ELiTE golf cars. Local dealer Greenmowers made the delivery.

Real Club Valderrama has purchased 40 E-Z-GO RXV ELiTE golf cars with integrated Textron Fleet Management GPS (TFM GPS). The ELiTE series from E-Z-GO features Samsung SDI lithium batteries which require zero maintenance and comes with a five-year warranty. The new golf cars charge in half the time and require less out-of-wall power than leading lead acid competitors.

Javier Reviriego studied business administration and golf club management at Florida State University and has been the general manager at Valderrama for more than six years. Commenting on the new fleet, Javier said: “Valderrama has been setting the benchmark for golf courses across Spain and Europe since the 1980s. It is important that we continue to be ahead of the game and provide the best possible quality for our members. We invested in the E-Z-GO ELiTE series as the Samsung lithium batteries are a huge step forward. It is a new era for golf cars, and we are proud to be amongst the first to offer the new technology on the course.

“We first started using E-Z-GO five years ago. We tried other golf cars, but the quality of the E-Z-GO vehicles was the best. I first heard about the new ELiTE series at the PGA show in Orlando earlier this year, and I knew Valderrama had to be the first to invest in the new technology. As a club, we are very environmentally conscious, so the fact that the new golf cars take half the time to charge saves us a lot in energy.”

The batteries in the ELiTE vehicles are controlled by an advanced Battery Management System that monitors efficiency, temperature, state of charge and the health of the batteries. These batteries have been used to safely and reliably power electric cars, e-scooters and power tools, providing consistent performance that does not fade over time.

“The lighter batteries have significantly reduced the weight of the golf cars, which protects the turf on the course,” Javier Reviriego continued. “We spend a substantial amount of time and resources to present the best possible playing conditions, so this will certainly make a difference.”

Javier Ramírez, Managing Director at Greenmowers said: “We are pleased to have sold the first fleet of E-Z-GO ELiTE golf cars to Real Club Valderrama. It is a prestigious course, and it is a great honour to provide the club with the new vehicles. Greenmowers has had a relationship with Valderrama since 2003, and we look forward to supporting it for many more years to come.”

At the first picture, left, Javier Reviriego, General Manager at Real Club Valderrama with Javier Ramírez, Managing Director at dealer Greenmowers. At the second, a selection of the 40 E-Z-GO RXV ELiTE golf cars in front of the famous green of the 17th hole.

DP World Tour, Tournaments

European Tour – Strong home challenge assembles at Valderrama for the 2016 Spanish Open

10 April, 2016 María Acacia López-Bachiller

April 10, 2016 – A powerful domestic contingent spearheaded by in-form Rafa Cabrera-Bello — who finished fourth at the Shell Houston Open on the PGA Tour — and Sergio García, will seek to follow the footsteps of Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2012) or Álvaro Quirós (2010), the last two Spanish winners of their national Open.

Cabrera-Bello has moved to number 33 in the world rankings after finishing fourth at the Shell Houston Open, and is second in the Race to Dubai standings. The in-form Spaniard will arrive to Valderrama fresh from his Masters debut aiming to cap with a win a remarkable season start, after two runner-up places at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and a third at the WGC-Dell Match Play. “Valderrama is the kind of course that tests your whole game. You need to master all the shots and all the clubs in the bag. It always produces quality winners”, says Rafa Cabrera-Bello.

Sergio García, currently ranked 15th in the world, is another big favourite. He thrives in the testing Valderrama track where he won the 2011 Andalucía Masters. After a solid start to the season with a near win at the Honda Classic, he will most certainly not be content with playing host.

Spanish fans will also enjoy the performances of Pablo Larrazábal, Alejandro Cañizares, Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño, Álvaro Quirós, Jorge Campillo, Nacho Elvira, Eduardo de la Riva, José Manuel Lara, Adrián Otaegui, Borja Virto, Carlos del Moral, Pedro Oriol, Javier Colomo, Xavier Guzmán, Carlos Pigem, Pablo Martín-Benavides, Borja Etchart and Pep Anglés. Leading amateurs Mario Galiano and Iván Cantero are also in the field.

“We have to thank first of all the European Tour for believing that the Spanish Open has to stay in the calendar; we have to thank Sergio García through his Foundation, for contributing to the success of the Spanish Open; and, obviously, we have to thank Valderrama for letting us play in one of the most iconic golf courses in Europe”, says Pablo Larrazábal.

“For Spanish golf it will be important, because of our history, and because many people play the game. When I started on Tour we had seven tournaments in Spain on the European Tour, now we almost had zero.”

“And for us, for me, it is exciting to perform in my home Open. I finished second behind Francesco Molinari in Seville and had a couple more chances to win it.”

“Valderrama is a tough test. If you are four rounds around level par, you are going to be very close to the leaders on Sunday, to know that and try to do it is a big challenge.”

“What we have seen in Valderrama in the past, the Ryder Cup, Tiger Woods winning there, Sergio winning there, Miguel making albatross on 17th, Graeme McDowell… Only the best in the world have won there, great ball strikers. I must keep working hard to be a good ball striker.”

Alejandro Cañizares comments: “I am very excited, it’s my home course, I’ll be at home, and I will have my family there. It’s one of my favorite golf courses and it’s going to be in great shape for sure, like always. It’s going to be a lot of fun to have the Spanish Open there. Valderrama is very tricky. You’ve got to keep it, not even on the fairway but on the right spot of the fairway, and try to be in all the pins in a few greens. The greens are going to be fast and it’s going to be tough.”

“The Spanish Open is our main event, an old event, and it would have been a pity to lose it. We’re very happy that we can play it and play in one of the best golf courses in Spain; for sure it’s going to be a great event.”

“This is a step forward for Spanish golf. Hopefully we can get more starts like we had before, more people investing in Spain for golf tournaments. I’s a pity, we only have one and have to fight for it at the moment.”

“Sergio’s support is very important. He’s our number one player, one of the best in the world for a long time, and having him support the tournament gives it that bit more strength that it needs to turn a good event into a great event”.

The Real Club Valderrama Open de España Hosted by the Sergio García Foundation is promoted by the European Tour, with the support of RFEG and the Spanish CSD. The tournament sponsors are: Reale, Rolex, Avis, Canon, Heineken, Osborne, Solán de Cabras and Volvo.

DP World Tour

European Tour – The 2016 Real Club Valderrama Open de España – Sergio García Foundation, in April

10 February, 2016 María Acacia López-Bachiller

February 10, 2016 – The Open de España, one of the most historic tournaments on The European Tour; Real Club Valderrama, one of the most iconic venues in the world of golf; and Sergio García, one of Spain’s most celebrated golfing sons, will come together to stage the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, hosted by the Sergio García Foundation, from April 14-17.

It will be the first time that the legendary Andalucian venue has staged Spain’s national Open, a tournament whose history stretches all the way back to its first playing in Madrid in 1912. Since 1972, it has also been a feature of every season on The European Tour and has seen some of golf’s greatest names get their hands on the trophy.

Amongst those are Major Champions Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Arnold Palmer and Charl Schwartzel alongside European Number Ones Robert Karlsson and Colin Montgomerie. Four Spaniards, aside from Ballesteros, have also claimed the title since 1972 – Antonio Garrido (1972), Álvaro Quirós (2010), Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2014) and García himself (2002).

The €2 million tournament will be the first event of the 2016 season to be played on European soil and as well as the support of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation and Real Club Valderrama, the tournament also has the full backing of García, the 11 time European Tour champion and five time Ryder Cup winner, who will assume the role of tournament host.

García’s involvement – through his Foundation which was set up in 2002 – further emphasises the direct player involvement on this season’s European Tour.

Sergio García said: “I am delighted to have this involvement with the Real Club Valderrama Open de España hosted by the Sergio García Foundation. This is a whole new way of working together with The European Tour and I am very proud to be a part of it.

“Part of that pride stems from the fact that the tournament is going to be played at Valderrama which is, without doubt, one of the best courses not just in Europe, but in the entire world, and one which has a rich history within the game.

“I personally have great memories of the golf course, having won the Andalucía Valderrama Masters there in 2011 and I am sure that all the players who tee up in April will enjoy testing their game against the fantastic layout.”

García joins Ernie Els, who hosted the BMW SA Open in January; Rory McIlroy, who will front the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation in May; Paul Lawrie who will stage the second Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play in August; and Luke Donald, who will take over from Ian Poulter as host of the British Masters supported by Sky Sports in October.

Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, said: “It is an honour for us to celebrate the Open de España, our flagship event that has written so many pages in the history of European golf, at such a prestigious venue as Real Club Valderrama.”

“Working together with The European Tour and Sergio García, a great ambassador of the game, has been a great pleasure and we are sure that we will produce a memorable Open”.

Nuno Pereira Machado, President of Real Club Valderrama said: “Real Club Valderrama has a great history of hosting fantastic tournaments, including The Ryder Cup. We have been working with The European Tour for some time to bring Valderrama back to The European Tour schedule and we are delighted to host Spain’s most historic professional tournament for the first time. I am certain the players will enjoy all the improvements we have made on the course over the last four years.

“I would like to thank Sergio García for his involvement in the event through his Foundation. Not only is he one of the best players in the world, he is a great friend of our Club. We look forward to welcoming all the players and to a bright future together with The European Tour.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of The European Tour said: “I am delighted that we will see the Open de España, one of the most prestigious tournament titles on The European Tour, staged at Valderrama for the first time this year. In my many discussions with our players over the past six months, their desire to play on the best courses possible has consistently shone through, and in Valderrama we most certainly have one of the best in the world.

“On behalf of The European Tour, I want to thank Gonzaga Escauriaza and the Royal Spanish Golf Federation for assisting us in this venture, acknowledge the help and support of General Manager Javier Reviriego and everyone at Real Club Valderrama and, of course, pay tribute to Sergio García.

“Sergio is not only one of the greatest players Spain has ever produced, he has also been very helpful to me in my first six months in the role of CEO of The European Tour and his vision and commitment in seeing this tournament come to fruition is very much appreciated.”

A full range of tickets for the tournament are available to buy now from http://tickets.europeantour.com including Any One Day Tickets from Thursday to Sunday which cost €15 per day if purchased before the week of the event and €20 per day if purchased during the tournament week.

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