The Ladies European Tour (LET) today announced that the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España will be the climax of the 2018 season.
The tournament will be contested at La Quinta Golf & Country Club in Benahavís, in the province of Málaga, on November 22-25.
Promoted by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation and organised by Deporte and Business, the title sponsors are Tourism Andalucía, Costa del Sol and the municipalities of the Costa del Sol Occidental.
The choice of venue, which will host the championship for the second time, underlines the Costa del Sol’s objective to open up the region to families.
Tucked in the heart of Marbella’s golf valley, The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa is surrounded by stunning panoramic views of the hills of the Sierra Blanca and the Mediterranean sea. There are three excellent 9-hole golf courses, permitting various combinations of play over 18 holes, which can be enjoyed all year round by all standards of golfer.
Guests are within easy reach of the vibrant Puerto Banús Marina Harbour and the picturesque settings of the old town Marbella. Located just 45 minutes away from Malaga International Airport (AGP), the resort enjoys convenient direct access from the highway that links the major cities within the south of Spain.
With over 70 golf courses, the Costa del Sol – also known as the Costa del Golf – is the top European destination for golf lovers. There are very few locations that combine so many attractions in the same place like the province of Málaga does: outstanding golfing facilities, the wide range of activities on offer and an excellent climate that means you can play golf all year round.
According to Elías Bendodo, president of the Costa del Sol tourism board: “Major tournaments such as this are very important to help the game grow and a great opportunity to promote tourism in the Costa del Golf thanks to the media impact.”
The Costa del Sol is hosting the Spanish Ladies Open for the fifth time and women have played a leading role in the sport’s development in the region. Local player Azahara Muñoz became the first Spanish player to win the national title at Aloha Golf Club in 2016 and then successfully defended in 2017, at her home club, Real Club de Golf Guadalmina. Dame Laura Davies won at Flamingos Golf Club in 2010 and fellow Englishwoman Mel Reid triumphed at La Quinta Golf & Country Club in 2011.
LET chairman Mark Lichtenhein said: “As one of our most important tournaments and a key golf tourism destination, the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España has an important role to play in golf’s development in Europe, particularly in our goal of bringing more women and families into the sport.”
The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España will be the final tournament of 2018, where the winners of the Order of Merit, Players’ Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year Awards will also be crowned.
The recent Ricoh Women’s British Open champion and world number 10, Georgia Hall, who claimed both the LET Order of Merit and Players’ Player of the Year titles in 2017, leads the 2018 LET Order of Merit while first year professional Julia Engström tops the Rookie of the Year Rankings.
