- The Malaga club will be the venue for the final of the Race to Costa del Sol, the Ladies European Tour Ranking
- The South Course, designed by Javier Arana, will host the prestigious professional tournament for the second time, on 26-29 November
Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, located in the Malaga town of San Pedro de Alcántara, will once again host the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España, where Solheim Cup star Azahara Muñoz became the first Spanish player to win the national Open at her home club, in 2017.
The tournament, which features a purse of €600,000, will provide a magnificent final for the Race to Costa del Sol, the new name for the LET order of merit starting from 2020.
The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino, with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration of the Junta de Andalucía, Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol and Acosol – Commonwealth of Municipalities of the West Costa del Sol, will be played at a club which has recently turned 60 years old and which will showcase the quality of golf courses in Andalusia and the Costa del Sol, one of the most important leisure destinations in all of Europe.
“The 2017 edition of the Spanish Open is still very fresh in the memory. It was the perfect Open in terms of the field, climate and result. Having Azahara Muñoz and Carlota Ciganda fighting for the title, with Azahara eventually prevailing in front of her home fans, was amazing. In fact, it was one of the reasons that led us to think about organising another Spanish Open,” explained Ignacio del Cuvillo, director of the Real Club de Golf Guadalmina. “Hosting the Spanish Open in Guadalmina is a wonderful challenge and we must thank all our partners, from both home and overseas, for their support and generosity.”
The South Course, designed by Javier Arana and remodelled by Stirling & Martin, combines beauty and difficulty. In 2017, the field of competitors recorded a total of 1271 birdies and 35 eagles over the four days of competition, a record for the Spanish Open. The preparation of the course and it’s new date on the calendar mean that the players can expect to meet a more demanding course this year.
Although its fairways are deceptively wide and there are hardly any water hazards, the trees comes into play from the tee and the par 3s add to the challenge, especially if accompanied by strong winds.
“The facilities of the South Course are ideal for the women’s game and so recognised by the participants of the 2017 Open. The course gives a lot of play, it is spectacular and, at the same time, comfortable to walk,” added Del Cuvillo. “We have made great improvements over the last two years, especially to the aesthetics by expanding the platforms of the tees, and by November the course will be in perfect condition. If one of those wonderful weeks of this area comes out in terms of meteorology, it will be a magnificent showcase for the Costa del Sol and Andalusia.”
Thanks to its status as the final test on the 2020 Ladies European Tour calendar and its augmented prize pool, the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España has all the ingredients to gather the best players from the circuit and become a must for golf fans. The great role of Spanish professionals in the international arena and the recent memory of their successes will undoubtedly be a magnificent magnet for all those who consider visiting the area at the end of November. It will be the seventh time in the history of this tournament that the Costa del Sol has hosted a women’s Spanish Open following the events at Flamingos Golf in 2010, La Quinta in 2011 and 2018, Aloha Golf in 2016 and 2019, and Guadalmina in 2017.
The president of Costa del Sol Tourism, Francisco Salado, highlighted the importance to the Costa del Sol of hosting this international tournament. “This is an event that once again highlights our absolute commitment to women’s golf, while showing that the Costa del Sol is a trustworthy destination that is prepared to welcome all golfers both national and international. Our fantastic golf courses are continuously adapting and improving, with professionals who continue to work to ensure that the Costa del Sol remains a leading golf and tourism destination.”
The support of the Ministry of Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration of the Junta de Andalucía, Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol and Acosol – Commonwealth of Municipalities of the West Coast, has been essential to the staging of the tournament and all are aware of the importance that golf has for attracting national and foreign tourists.
Follow the latest news about the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España at openfemenino.com, on Twitter @Openfemenino, on Instagram @spanishopen and on the Facebook page @openfemenino.
