. Apart from Azahara Muñoz, sixteen other golfers participated in the 2016 Olympic Games, with special mention for the Dane Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who finished thirteenth.

. Russian Maria Verchenova, sixteenth in Rio de Janeiro, author of a 9-under-par card including a hole-in-1 in the last round, a major attraction of the tournament.

The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino, a European Professional Tour competition held at Aloha Golf between September 22 and 25, with the main sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía, Turismo Costa del Sol and the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol, will constitute a mini re-edition of the past Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro 2016 thanks to the presence of seventeen players who took part in the historic Olympic tournament.

They will all now have the opportunity to seek their own revenge on the beautiful Malaga course where, apart from the absence of Asian and North American golfers, they will relive the Brazilian experiences in an open tournament full of expectations.

One of them is Spanish, Azahara Muñoz, whose golfing beginnings took place in the province of Malaga, a few kilometers from the venue of this Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino, which concluded in Brazil in 21st place.

Ahead of the Malaga native in Rio de Janeiro were two of the top favorites for the overall victory at Aloha Golf: Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Russia's Maria Verchenova. The Danish golfer, ranked number 5 on the Ladies European Tour, finished thirteenth in Brazil. This season, she won the Tipsport Golf Masters and also finished second in two other Ladies European Tour events.

Special mention should also be made of María Verchenova, sixteenth in Rio, author of a 9 under par card with a hole-in-1 included in the last round, who has more than enough quality and experience to become one of the great attractions of this Spanish Women's Open.

Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord and Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera – who finished 25th and 39th respectively in Brazil – are also players to watch closely, with 4 LET wins for the former and no less than 15 for the latter, a true icon of women's golf both in France and throughout Europe.

The extensive list of players who took part in the first Olympic golf competition in history, now present at Aloha Golf, is completed by India's Aditi Ashok, Austria's Christine Wolf, Finland's Ursula Wikstrom and Noora Tamminen, Czech Klara Spilkova, South Africa's Ashleigh Simon, Brazil's Miriam Nagl and Victoria Lovelady, Italy's Giulia Sergas, Belgium's Chloe Leurquin, Switzerland's Fabienne In-Albon and Morocco's Maha Haddioui.

ANDALUCÍA COSTA DEL SOL PROGRAM OPEN DE ESPAÑA WOMENINO 2016

Monday, September 19

Official presentation press conference (11:30 am)

Aloha Golf, Urbanización Aloha, s/n, 29660 Nueva Andalucía – Marbella (Málaga).

Tuesday, September 20

Official training sessions

Wednesday, September 21

Pro-Am with 3 amateurs and 2 professionals on each team (first tee time 08:20 hours) Awards ceremony on the terrace of Aloha Golf (around 20:00 hours)

Thursday, September 22

First day of competition; 126 players (tee times from 08:30 hours)

Friday, September 23

Second day of competition; 126 players (tee times from 08:30 hours)

Cut-off set at the top 60 ranked and tied

Saturday, September 24

Third day of competition (08:30 – 15:00 hours, approximately)

Sunday, September 25

Last day of competition (08:30 – 15:00 hours, approximately)

The awards ceremony will take place around 3:30 pm.

Essential support for a highly important tournament

The support of the Andalusian Regional Government's Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Costa del Sol Tourism and the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol in this tournament is part of a sports and tourism promotion effort, aware of the appeal of golf among national and foreign tourists, who find in this sport an additional incentive when choosing this Spanish region as a destination.

This prestigious competition is also supported by Reale Seguros, the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, Aloha Golf Club, the Spanish National Sports Council, and the Ladies European Tour. It is organized by Deporte & Business.

RELEVANT TOURNAMENT DATA

Aloha Golf Club

Opened in 1975
Address: Aloha Urbanization, s/n. 29660 Nueva Andalucía – Marbella (Málaga)
Telephone: 952 907 085
Fax: 952 812 389
e-mail: info@clubdegolfaloha.com
web: www.clubdegolfaloha.com

Nearest airport: Malaga (60 km)
Designer: Javier Arana
Number of holes: 18 (plus 9 par 3s)

Institutional sponsors: Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Andalusian Regional Government, Costa del Sol Tourism and Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol

Tournament sponsors: Reale Seguros, Royal Spanish Golf Federation, Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, Aloha Golf Club, Higher Sports Council and Ladies European Tour

Promoter: Royal Spanish Golf Federation

About the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Andalusian Regional Government

Andalusia is one of the world's most comprehensive tourist destinations, offering a diverse and high-quality range of experiences that places it among the top choices for both international and domestic tourists. Furthermore, Andalusia is an international benchmark for golf tourism. Its exceptional climate allows for year-round play on over a hundred courses, located in prime locations with stunning landscapes or close to idyllic beaches.

About Tourism Costa del Sol

Its nearly 70 courses have made the province of Málaga-Costa del Sol the leading golf destination in Europe, hence its nickname, the Costa del Golf. Few places like the Costa del Sol offer so many attractions in one destination, because our province not only boasts superb infrastructure for playing golf, but also a privileged climate that allows for year-round play.

About Aloha Golf

Located in the heart of the Golf Valley in Marbella, Aloha Golf is a club that boasts one of the most beautiful and unique golf courses in Spain. This par-72 parkland course features a traditional design that demands precision off the tee and a good approach shot to the green. Undulating terrain, lush woodland, and lakes are among the distinctive features of Aloha, along with spectacular views of the Sierra La Concha mountain range and the Mediterranean Sea. Having hosted the Andalusian Open three times, the course offers the opportunity to enjoy blossoming trees year-round.