The best amateur golfers in Europe compete in Marbella

Marbella, June 3rd, 2009

Rio Real Golf & Wellness Resort hosts the European Mid Amateur Championship from the 4th to the 6th of June

Rio Real Golf & Wellness Resort, one of the most prestigious complexes in Marbella, will host, from the 4th to the 6th of June, the European Mid Amateur Championship, a competition that unites the best European amateurs over 35. The magnetism of this tournament, organized by the European Golf Association (EGA) with the help of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG) and Rio Real, has made it difficult for some players to attain one of the 144 available participating slots.

The European Mid Amateur Championship celebrates this year its 19th edition. The first was played in Switzerland in 1991. This year in Rio Real will be the second time the competition takes place in Spain, after having passed through El Saler in 1994. Three Spanish players have added their names to this championship’s winner’s list: Luis Gabarda, in 1992, when it was played in Venice; Victor Fernandez Grande, in 1998 in Rome; and from Malaga Jose Maria Zamora, in 2005 in Slovenia.

This year at Rio Real the English players are dominant, with a total of 30, followed second by the Spanish and German players, as well as a high number of competitors from the Nordic countries. In addition to the Europeans, there are three North American golfers.

Among the Spanish representatives is the previous champion José Maria Zamora, current director of the European Tournament Circuit. Also playing are Jacobo Cestino, Gonzalo Paradinas, Ignacio González Martínez, Ángel Sartoriu, Álvaro Llanza, José Tomás Pérez Baragaño, Antonio Cavero, José Ignacio Márquez Pombo, Borja Ibarra, Franco Borja Queipo de Llano, Luis Pérez de Guzmán y David Jiménez.

The setting for the championship is one of the most prestigious courses in Spain. The course, designed by Javier Arana, who is considered among the greatest Spanish golf designers, is 18 holes and par 72, and was inaugurated in 1965. Its broad sports history includes hosting the Spanish Professional Championship and a number of international amateur tournaments.

The beauty of the course, winding through elegant majestic trees, travelling down a gentle slope towards the ocean, has given cause for Rio Real Golf Club to be used in many different publicity campaigns to promote golf in Andalusia, in particular images of Hole 4.

The course, which is hardly five minutes in car from the center of Marbella (about 4 kilometers), forms part of a complex that includes an elegant boutique hotel, a beauty and wellness center, a golf academy with the most modern technologies and tennis and paddle courts.

TOURNAMENT PRESENTATION

Participating today in the presentation of the tournament in Rio real was the president of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFGA) and vice-president of the European Golf Association (EGA), Gonzaga Escauriaza; the president of Rio Real Club, Luis Figueroa, Count of Quintanilla; the director of the Resort, Antonio Ortiz; and the Marbella Sports Councilor, Ángel Mora.

Gonzaga Escauriaza gave thanks to the president of the Club for hosting the championship, pointing out the excellence of the course, “a product from one of the greatest Spanish designers”. In addition, he said that Rio Real possesses “an extraordinary design and advantage due to the fact that the courses of Javier Arana do not become obsolete in the face of the advances that have taken place in the past years in the golf world, specifically in the materials used in clubs”. The president of the RFGA stressed that Marbella, cosmopolitan and having an extraordinary climate, is the perfect location to celebrate this European Championship.

Luis Figueroa expressed his gratitude to the EGA and the RFGA for the confidence place in Rio Real by having it host such an important competition, “whose combination of charm and characteristics make Marbella and our Club the perfect setting to hold such an important event”. The president of Rio Real Club highlighted the grand caliber of the participants, coming from 23 different countries. Furthermore, he gave thanks to Marbella town hall, the Royal Andalusia Golf Federation and the company Turismo Andaluz for their collaboration. “For us, hosting this tournament is a welcomed effort, we believe it is an excellent way to promote Marbella”.

Ángel Mora expressed the pride that celebrating the European Mid Amateur Championship brings to Marbella. “It’s always very satisfying being able to host a great golf event in the city, having sixteen golf courses, one of which being Rio Real, which personally I find fascinating”.

Antonio Ortiz mentioned the excellent conditions of the course, always well kept however it’s been especially prepared for the occasion. He furthermore, expressed his gratitude to the Red Cross Spain, González Byass and Srixon for their collaboration in the tournament.

In the attached photograph from left to right, Ángel Mora, Gonzaga Escauriaza and Luis Figueroa

European Mid Amateur Championship Press Department
Contact: Eduardo Garcia Palacios
Tel: 952 82 89 76 Mobile: 649090666
E-mail: editorial@andaluciagolf.com