. Azahara Muñoz ended the lack of Spanish women in the illustrious record of the Spanish Open in 2016.
. Noemí Jiménez and Laura Cabanillas –along with Azahara Muñoz–, trained in Guadalmina, are prestigious local figures within the tournament
. The large number of Spanish players, many of them with enormous potential, makes the competition extremely interesting.
Second in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011 and 2014, fifth in 2012, seventh in 2013… and a spectacular victory – by Azahara Muñoz – in 2016. This has been the intense relationship of Spanish golfers with the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España, which on this occasion brings together twenty representatives from our country in pursuit of the title at stake in this important tournament of the European Professional Tour, which has the main sponsorship of Turismo de Andalucía, Turismo Costa del Sol and Mancomunidad de Municipios de la Costa del Sol Occidental.
The large group of Spanish women present at the magnificent Malaga course – with special mention for the aforementioned Azahara Muñoz and for Noemí Jiménez and Laura Cabanillas, also trained at Guadalmina, prestigious local references within the competition – are demanding the main spotlight in a tournament that promises to be exciting given the high quality of its participants, with the Norwegian Suzann Pettersen, a world golf star, at the forefront.
Led by Azahara Muñoz and Carlota Ciganda, regular players on the American Circuit, the Spanish contingent rises to twenty golfers, some of whom have achieved good results on various Professional Circuits.
This is the case of Nuria Iturrios from the Balearic Islands, brilliant winner of the Lalla Meryem Cup 2016 held in Morocco, María Parra from Cádiz – with two victories in the LET Access Series 2016 before obtaining the card of the American Circuit – or Luna Sobrón from the Balearic Islands, who this year has won the Castellum Ladies Open integrated into the LETAS.
Apart from them, the list of Spanish players includes a large number of golfers who are taking their first steps in the professional field, such as Natalia Escuriola, Noemí Jiménez, Marta Silva, Camilla Hedberg, Elia Folch, Silvia Bañón, Piti Martínez, Fátima Fernández or María Palacios.
Alongside them are others whose careers have already taken off, such as Mireia Prat and the sisters Patricia and Marta Sanz, as well as golfers with extensive experience such as María Beautell, Carmen Alonso and Laura Cabanillas, always competitive in any tournament worth its salt, such as the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España.
AROUND THE OPEN
Great Spanish results that inspire confidence
It's worth remembering that, aside from Azahara Muñoz's victory in 2016, five Spanish women have come close to winning the Spanish Open, finishing second. These include Raquel Carriedo in 2002; Ana Belén Sánchez in 2003; Tania Elósegui and Emma Cabrera, who tied for second place in 2009; Tania Elósegui again in 2011; and Carlota Ciganda in 2014.
María Parra's professional debut at the 2016 Spanish Open
A year ago, María Parra made her debut as a professional player at the Spanish Open with a very distinguished amateur record – number 4 in the World Amateur Ranking – so now she returns to her professional origins with the experience of having obtained the American Circuit card on her first attempt.
Free admission
Entry to attend the four days of competition – from September 21 to 24 – of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino will be free.
Essential support for a highly important tournament
The support from Turismo de Andalucía, Turismo Costa del Sol and the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol 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, RCG Guadalmina, the Spanish National Sports Council, and the Ladies European Tour. It is organized by Deporte & Business.
RELEVANT TOURNAMENT DATA
Real Club de Golf Guadalmina
Opened in 1959
Address: Urbanización Guadalmina Alta s/n. 29678 San Pedro de Alcántara (Málaga)
Telephone: 952 883 375
Fax: 952 883 483
e-mail: secretaria@guadalminagolf.com
web: www.guadalminagolf.com
Nearest airport: Malaga (70 km)
Designer: Javier Arana
Number of holes: 2 courses of 18 and one of 9
Main institutional sponsors: Tourism of Andalusia, Tourism Costa del Sol and Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol
Tournament sponsors: Royal Spanish Golf Federation, Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, RCG Guadalmina, Marbella and San Pedro de Alcántara City Councils, Higher Sports Council, Ladies European Tour and Universo Mujer.
Partner companies: Reale Seguros, Volvo, Solán de Cabras, Mahou, Kyocera, Omega, Etihad Airways, Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, Movistar, Riversa, Sevillana de Electricidad and Clínica Quirón.
Promoter: Royal Spanish Golf Federation
Organizers: Ladies European Tour, Royal Spanish Golf Federation and Sport & Business
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 RCG Gualdalmina
Considered one of the best courses in Spain, the RCG Guadalmina was originally designed by the renowned Javier Arana and later remodeled by Stirling & Martin. A varied and challenging course, it stands out both for the beauty of its holes and the wide range of shots required to complete them. While the fairways appear wide, there are few water hazards, which only come into play on the 13th hole. However, the height and density of the trees are a significant factor and can be intimidating from the tee boxes. Additionally, the par 3s are tricky, especially when one of the area's prevailing winds picks up.
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