Held for the first time at the “Parador de Malaga Golf in 1992, the Open de Andalucia, has in the last few years established itself in the Golf World as an event of the highest relevance.
This has been in great part mainly due to the sponsorship of the Junta de Andalucía. After last year’s success, when the tournament attracted large crowds, the Open de Andalucia returns again for the forth time to the installations of the “Parador de Malaga Golf”. The event will be held between the 24th and 27th of March and being the first tournament of the year held in mainland Europe, it is met with great expectation
The Open de Andalucía was first held at the “Parador de Málaga Golf” en 1992, under the name of Turespaña Masters Open de Andalucía. The tournament was won by one of the all time greats of this sport, Vijay Singh of the Fiji Islands, who years later went on to become number one in the world ranking.
After this first addition the Tournament maintained its status within the International Circuit during the next three years, where the Tournament visited the courses of Novo Sancti Petri and Montecastillo in the province od Cadiz and Islantilla in Huelva.
In Novo Sancti Petri in 1993, the tournament was won by the Scot Andrew Oldcorn. The next year, in Montecastillo, Cadiz it was the turn of Carl Mason, from England to raise the winner’s trophy, but the headlines were stolen by the designer of the course, Jack Nicklaus who along with Seve Ballesteros and Miguel Angel Jimenez kept up an epic battle during the first two rounds of the tournament.
In 1995 in Islantilla, the winner was Alex Cejka from Germany.
After various years where the tournament was not held, due to the decision of the main sponsor, Turespaña to hold golf tournaments in other autonomic regions of Spain, in 1999 Tuespaña Masters Open de Andalucia returned to the Parador de Malaga Golf, which had undertaken important improvements especially for the occasion, resulting in a truly excellent aspect.
The efforts of all the sponsors, especially Paradores, Turespaña and the Junta de Andalucia were richly rewarded when the tournament produced a fine champion in Miguel Angel Jimenez. Followed by thousands of supporters, Miguel Angel finished the tournament 24 under Par, including a course record in the third round of 62 strokes.
During the next eight years when the tournament was not celebrated, Miguel Angel Jimenez kept alive his dream to establish the Open de Andalucia again as a regular event within the European Circuit and this time with the help of the sponsorship of Valle Romano and the “Junta de Andalucia”, he finally accomplished his goal in 2007, taking the Tournament to the Marbella course of Aloha Golf, during the next two years.
Aloha Golf, a classic amongst the many courses on the Costa del Sol, realized by the famous Architect Javier Arana, who unfortunately never got to see his masterpiece, as he died nine months before the course was officially opened in October 1975. Aloha was rewarded for its efforts and its magnificent organization, producing two winners of Ryder Cup status, over the next two years, in 2007 Lee Westwood from England and in 2008 the Frenchman, Thomas Levet beat the young englishman, Oliver Fisher in a thrilling play off.
In 2009 the tournament left the Coast and went to the the “Real Club de Golf de Sevilla”, located in the capital of Andalucia the event was won by the Dane, Soren Kjeldsen who finished 14 under Par, 3 strokes clear of the Scotsman, David Drysdale.
Last years edition, 2010, held at the Parador de Malaga Golf, the winner was the South African Louis Oosthuizen who finished with a magnificent -17, three shots ahead of his nearest rivals, the englisman Richard Finch and the Scotsman David Drysdale who both tied on -14.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Monday 21st
Practice Round
Tuesday 22nd
Practice Round
Wednesday 23rd
Pro-Am
Prize giving ceremony for the Pro-Am (19.00 hrs. approx)
Thursday 24th
First Day of Competition
Play from 7.50 hrs. until 19.00 hrs.*
Friday 25th
Second Day of Competition
Play from 7.50 hrs. until 19.00 hrs.*
A “Cut is established where the best 70 classified players, including ties continue on to the next round.
Saturday 26th
Third Day of Competition
Play from 9.00 hrs. until 18.30 hrs.*
Sunday 27th
Final Day of Competition
Play from 9.00 hrs. until 18.30 h.*
Ceremony of Prize giving (18.30 hrs. approx.)
* Playing times are approximate and subject to confirmation
