José Gallardo, National Golf Coach, has been awarded the Royal Order of Sporting Merit in its Gold Medal category. Directly responsible for countless sporting triumphs in Spanish women's golf, José Gallardo received the award during a ceremony presided over by His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and Her Majesty Queen Sofía, which took place this morning at the El Pardo Palace in Madrid.

The jury that awards these prizes has positively valued the brilliant sporting career of José Gallardo, spearhead, as the top technical manager, of this sport in the women's category in our country.

It is no coincidence that José Gallardo has been in charge of the National Teams since 1970, demonstrating the immense dedication and humility that characterize his extraordinary personality. Throughout these years, he has advised countless players, both amateur and professional, and has contributed as National Coach to the achievement of numerous successes for Spanish golf.

Among them are 15 European Team Championships in different categories (Absolute, Junior and Under-18), 4 Team runner-up titles in the Old Continent, 2 World Championships – those held in Venezuela '86 and Canada '92 –, another 2 bronze medals in World Team Championships, the 1992 World University Championship, 2 Mediterranean Games…, that is, always at the top of the podium, a magnificent record with hardly any equal in any other sporting discipline in Spain.