Part of the Spanish Armada, near the hole 1 tee box at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Marcos Moreno)

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Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, the new stage for the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, brings back old memories to the Spanish participants, as most of them competed there as amateurs. This week they will go in quest of a Spanish win on the Trent Jones layout on its debut as a DP World Tour venue.

The course has been set up to the highest standards, with tighter fairways, deep Bermuda rough and fast greens, ready to showcase the best golf for the enjoyment of spectators from October 19-22.

Seventeen of the 126 players in the field are Spanish: Pep Anglés, Adri Arnaus, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Jorge Campillo, Alejandro Cañizares, Nacho Elvira, Sebastián García, Alfredo García Heredia, Ángel Hidalgo, Pablo Larrazábal, Jaime Montojo (AM) Adrián Otaegui, Carlos Pigem, Álvaro Quirós, Alejandro del Rey, Santiago Tarrío, and Borja Virto, many of whom posed for the traditional pre-tournament group photo on Tuesday afternoon.

One of the most in-form right now is Alfredo García Heredia who could secure his card for next season at Sotogrande, having finished ninth last week in Madrid.

“I’ll keep doing the same things as last week, stick to my game plan and stay in touch with my coach Jorge Parada. The course is in great shape. I played it a few times after the renovation but there’s a lot more rough than usual. This course can be very challenging with wind. If I lose my card it won’t be for this tournament but because I had four bad months this year,” he admits.

Jaime Montojo, the only amateur in the field, is the winner of last year’s Copa Sotogrande and a member of the club.

“I know all the bad spots to avoid from the tee and around the greens, but my biggest advantage would be a strong wind changing direction from one day to another, because I am very familiar with the prevailing winds. I prefer the westerly, not so much on the first holes but certainly on the back nine with the wind behind. When it blows from the east, 15 and 18 become long, and you get a tense tee shot on 14 with all the water. Anyhow, the course is playing different with tighter fairways, deep rough and greens as fast as ever,” he explains.

Montojo is excited about this week. “This is my first professional tournament. Obviously there’s always pressure, but I am here to enjoy. And whatever happens, I’m sure to learn a lot.”

Álvaro Quirós, another local player, confirms the changes.

“The fairways are narrower, but some are still generous. If you miss them, you lose control out of the Bermuda rough. The course is in great shape, and if we are lucky enough to have some wind, it will be a different story.”

After the group photo there was a surprise for Adri Arnaus who turned 29 on Tuesday and blew out the candles with his colleagues. Arnaus looks forward to his return having played the course in his amateur days. 

“I have many good memories of the Copa Sotogrande. The course plays tougher with the high rough. The greens are quite firm for a Tuesday, so that will be the key unless it rains. ”.

This week Adri will keep up his charity initiative in aid of the Gasol Foundation which fights child obesity and promotes healthy habits among children

“I wanted to do something special as we have two tournaments in a row in Spain. I know Pau Gasol very well, so I decided to support his foundation. I donate 100 euro for every birdie I make and 250 for every eagle. Last week I raised around 1800 and hopefully there will be more this week. We are privileged to go around the world doing what we like, and to be able to share something in these tournaments is an honour.”

Rafa Cabrera Bello also played in the Copa Sotogrande and returns after many years.

 “I already liked it a lot back then, but I hadn’t played it after the renovation. I think it’s a great course in top condition. Some holes are very interesting, and if the wind picks up it will be very enjoyable and a great tournament.”

To enjoy the tournament you only need to purchase tickets for Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with special prices for federated golfers and free for children under 13, on the event website.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

Beach clean-up volunteers with Rasmus Højgaard and Jorge Campillo (credit © Rafa Cabrera)

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For the third year running, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters has shown its commitment to the community that hosts the event by staging a beach cleaning morning on Tuesday 17th with the support of the San Roque Town Hall and the invaluable cooperation of two DP World Tour stars, Dane Rasmus Højgaard and Spaniard Jorge Campillo. Students and teachers of the Sotogrande International School led the way.

On Tuesday of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters tournament week, 90 pupils and 7 teachers from the Sotogrande International School launched a waste collection morning at Sotogrande beach as part of the DP World Tour Green Drive programme, within the DP World Tour’s Green for Golf initiative. Since its inception with a view to promote social and environmental responsibility and to generate a positive impact on every tournament on the tour schedule, this programme has become a benchmark in the world of sport as it keeps generating effective and successful initiatives.

The DP World Tour has signed up to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action, pledging to reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and to be net zero carbon by 2040.

At the third edition of this activity, two 2023 DP World Tour winners, Rasmus Højgaard and Jorge Campillo acted as role models for the many volunteers who joined forces, especially for golf fans. Both participants in this week’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters set an inspiring example of hard work and environmental commitment.

Once again this year, the students of the International School showed that the future of the environment is in good hands by working enthusiastically alongside the pros. Several local representatives, who also took part in the clean-up, welcomed the initiative and applauded the involvement of the youngsters.

Rasmus Højgaard took the opportunity to speak up in defence of the environment and to call for common sense and responsibility in caring for the planet. “This is a great initiative. I love to see so many children helping to clean up the beach. Personally, I try to always leave the places where I go clean, that’s how I was brought up. When I was at school we also went to clean the beach one day and it was great fun,” said the Dane.

In turn, Jorge Campillo stressed the importance of every effort, however small, to care for the environment. “We must all do our best to improve our environment, and it’s important to make kids aware that keeping beaches clean is good for everyone. I believe that Spain is doing a good job in keeping beaches clean, but the more we all do our bit, the better.”

As in previous editions, the volunteers were rewarded for their efforts and commitment with gifts offered by the organisation of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters to be held from 19 to 22 October at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande featuring a world-class line-up headed by Americans Wyndham Clark and Matt Kuchar, New Zealander Ryan Fox, Italian Francesco Molinari, Scot Robert McIntyre, Pole Adrian Meronk, as well as Spanish defending champion Adrián Otaegui.

To enjoy the tournament you only need to purchase tickets for Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with special prices for federated golfers and free for children under 13, on the event website.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

View of the 15th hole of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Real Club de Golf Sotogrande)

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The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, the new Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters venue, is one of Robert Trent Jones' most prized jewels and his first European course. Demanding and varied, the course runs between cork oaks, pines, palm trees and large lakes, which makes each hole a very different challenge and hides spectacular corners from which to enjoy the best golf in this DP World Tour event.

Although the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is a Spanish golf classic about to reach its sixtieth anniversary, many fans will visit it for the first time from October 19-22 to experience the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and should not miss the most strategic and beautiful corners where the title will be decided.

View of 3rd hole green of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Real Club de Golf Sotogrande)
View of the 3rd hole green of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Real Club de Golf Sotogrande)

Starting from the first tee, we find a good place to stop at hole 3, a beautiful short par 4 surrounded by cork trees. From the fairway, you can see the approach to the green and, very close by, the hole 4 tee, a par 3 of about 200 meters, and the 15th hole green, a demanding par 4 that has a lot to say in the last stretch of the round. Next is the tee of the 16th, another nice par 4 with a green protected by water on the right.

Not far away is the 6th hole tee, a 484 meters par 5, and, very close, the fans can see the approach to the green of hole 5, the tee of 8th hole, a par 3, or the surroundings of the 7th hole green, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful holes of the course. The 7th hole is a par 4 with water on the right side of the green that will offer a good show if players are looking for a birdie. A catering point and Estrella Damm bar have been installed next to the 6th hole tee, making it an excellent place to stop off without losing sight of the competition.

View of 7th hole of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Real Club de Golf Sotogrande)
View of the 7th hole of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Real Club de Golf Sotogrande)

In the second round, spectators will find another excellent place to watch the decisive holes of the tournament: the area next to the 12th hole tee, par 5, and the 11th green, where another Estrella Damm bar is located. Very close by is also the fairway on the 14th, the last par 5 of the course, and the tee of the 15th hole.

View of 11th hole green of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Real Club de Golf Sotogrande)
View of the 11th hole green of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Real Club de Golf Sotogrande)

Finally, the 17th hole will be one of the most exciting for spectators. It is a 164-meter par 3 with the green surrounded by water and it could be decisive for the players who are fighting for the victory on Sunday. It is very close to the 16th green and the 18th tee, and it also has a bar and catering service, as well as a giant screen so as not to miss any detail of the leaderboard.

View of 17th hole green of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Real Club de Golf Sotogrande)
View of the 17th hole green of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande (credit © Real Club de Golf Sotogrande)

To enjoy all these corners of the spectacular Real Club de Golf Sotogrande you only need to purchase tickets for Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with special prices for federated golfers and free for children under 13, on the event website.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

Francesco Molinari returns to the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters (credit © Getty Images)

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Cold figures are sometimes unfair with reality, but the presence of 13 golfers in the OWGR top 100 and 12 Ryder Cup players serve to reckon the magnitude of the ninth edition of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, tournament to be held from October 19-22 at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.

All of them will fight for the title in the regular tournament with the best prize fund of all those held on Spanish soil in DP World Tour's history. The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters strong field will be led by Wyndham Clark, 2023 U. S. Open champion, Ryan Fox, 2023 BMW PGA Championship winner or Matt Kuchar, four-time U.S. Ryder Cup team member. They will be joined by stars of the stature of Robert MacIntyre, two-time DP World Tour winner and one of the European stars at the Ryder Cup in Rome, where he finished undefeated and scored 2.5 points in three matches.

In his spectacular debut in the biannual competition he was mentored by three vice-captains that will play in Sotogrande: the brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari, inescapable reference of Italian, European and world golf, and Thomas Bjørn, bastion of continental golf and captain of the winning team in the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris. Francesco, 2018 Open Championship winner, returns to Spain to play his third Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, while Edoardo has never missed his appointment in this event and will play it for the ninth time. Thomas Bjørn will sign his seventh appearance.

The Danes Thorbjørn Olesen and Søren Kjeldsen, who came close to winning the first edition of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters in 2010; the Englishmen Oliver Wilson, Ross Fisher and Andy Sullivan; and the Welshman Jamie Donaldson also left their brilliant mark in different editions of the Ryder Cup.

The international squad is reinforced by Poland's Adrian Meronk, with three brilliant victories on the DP World Tour in the last fifteen months and firmly established in the noble zone of the world ranking; France's Victor Perez, already with five DP World Tour titles to his credit; or Sweden's Alexander Björk, a prodigy of consistency who already has eight top-tens in 2023.

Rasmus Højgaard, Thriston Lawrence, Dale Whitnell, Tom McKibbin, Simon Forsström, Marcel Siem, Jordan Smith, Guido Migliozzi, Richie Ramsay, Ewen Ferguson and Todd Clements are other recent winners on the DP World Tour that will be at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande and will have to face the local team led, among others, by Adrian Otaegui, defending champion, Pablo Larrazabal, winner of two tournaments in 2023, Jorge Campillo, with a title already this season, or Rafa Cabrera Bello, 2021 Open de España champion.

Enjoying live all these players at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is quite easy, since you only need to purchase tickets for Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with special prices for federated golfers and free for children under 13, on the event website.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

(Adrián Otaegui at the 2022 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters) (credit © Bosco Martín)

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Twelve years after playing the Sotogrande Cup in a superb Spanish team that faced the best European amateur golfers (many of whom already with notable professional careers), Adrian Otaegui returns to Real Club de Golf Sotogrande as the defending champion of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters. The player from San Sebastian, in a more than remarkable season, arrives at the Cadiz course heading the Spanish squad and eager to fight again for a very special title from October 19-22.

“Every victory has its history and its moment, but it is true that last year's win at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters had a special flavor: my first victory in Spain, in front of the Spanish public, in one of the places I love the most. It was the first title with my parents on the course, sharing the whole week with me, with many people from San Sebastian. It was a very nice victory in a week in which everything went well. Unforgettable,” recalled Otaegui.

Although it’s been a while since the last time he played the Real Club de Golf, Otaegui has great memories of the course where he won the team bronze medal in the Sotogrande Cup in 2011. The Sotogrande area is very special for the Basque, and a new triumph would endorse the great relationship he has with this corner of the Andalusian geography.

“I remember perfectly the Sotogrande Cup we played in 2011. The event carries such fame and prestige that all the players in Europe wanted to play it. It is a course that I love, it is always very well maintained, demanding, with fast greens and when the wind blows it can be very hard. I'm sure there will be good rounds if you have your game ready, but you can suffer as well. It's a course that suits me, although there are holes I don't know after the renewal. I can't wait to play the practice round. I have great memories of the Sotogrande area, of going as a teenager with 14 or 15 years when I could, in winter, to train with wind and with a different grass to the one we have in the north. It is an area I am very fond of,” exlpained the Basque player.

History permeates Adrián Otaegui's career and not only because of his time at the Sotogrande Cup: winner of the British Boys like another star from San Sebastian, José María Olazábal, he also made his debut in a DP World Tour tournament, the Iberdrola Open in 2011, on a very special date.

“It was just the week after Severiano Ballesteros passed away and it was different and emotional. That same year, after playing the European Championship with the RFEG team, I turned pro, quite young. The idea was to gain experience to learn the trade. I think it was the right decision because I knew for sure that I wanted to devote my life to golf and I feel privileged to be able to dedicate myself to what I like, to my passion, to what I have always wanted,” said Otaegui.

Throughout his twelve-year professional career, Adrián Otaegui has been able to mature and make the most of all his efforts, overcoming the initial difficulties and taking advantage of the road to learn how to win and, above all, how to live. With four DP World Tour titles already under his belt, the future is still brimming with possibilities.

“The elite professional world is different from what you imagine as a kid. I've been lucky enough to play a lot of tournaments all over the world, in different courses, with different cultures, on different continents and tour. I have played all the majors except the Masters, and the experience has been magnificent. I love the competition and the challenges you face every day on a golf course. It is a matter of overcoming, of solving problems that come to you little by little, as in life,” said the Spanish golfer.

Before him, a notable challenge: to revalidate the first title he won on Spanish soil, and for this he will lead a notable group of Spanish players such as Pablo Larrazábal, winner of the Korea Championship and the KLM Open this year, Jorge Campillo, champion of the Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa, Nacho Elvira, Adri Arnaus or Rafa Cabrera Bello.

All of them make up a qualified local cast at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters that will face international stars such as the Americans Wyndham Clark and Matt Kuchar, the New Zealander Ryan Fox, the Italian Francesco Molinari, the Scot Robert McIntyre, the Pole Adrian Meronk or the Frenchman Victor Perez.

Enjoying live all these players at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is quite easy, since you only need to purchase tickets for Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with special prices for federated golfers and free for children under 13, on the event website.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

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