OLAZÁBAL AND JIMÉNEZ, READY FOR THE SHOW AT STAYSURE MARBELLA LEGENDS
Both agree on the importance of the golf industry in our country.
The activity has started with force in Aloha Golf Club with the celebration of the Staysure Marbella Legends, the golf event that opens the golf season in Marbella, on the Costa del Sol; the 60 players who are going to participate in the competition have already arrived to train the course, of which they have made very positive comments about the state of the course. Today was the official opening presentation of the tournament with the presence of Olazábal and Jiménez, and there has been a clinic with more than 100 children of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation.
Presentation Staysure Marbella Legends
Rafael Fontán, President of Aloha Golf Club: “We are delighted to host this important tournament in our 50th anniversary, in which there will be several events and this will be, without a doubt, the most special. The course is in very good condition and we hope everything turns out very well”.
Pablo Mansilla, President of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation: “I think that with a little bit of luck, just a little bit, we will almost certainly have a Spanish winner. In Andalusia we know how to do this kind of events because all the institutions collaborateand we have a lot to thank them for. The tournament does not start on Friday, butalready begins the activity and today we have a clinic of more than 100 children of the Federation and the Municipal Schools of Marbella, which will surprise more than one”.
Lisandro Vieytes, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Sports of the Marbella Town Hall: “It is the first time that the Legends Tour comes to our city, and after hosting the European Tour and the Ladies, it is a joy that the Legends comes to Marbella; we have the experience, and we have to continue to promote the Marbella brand as a sports and tourist destination. We have great ambassadors such as Olazábal and Jiménez who always come whenever we call them, whether to professional or charity events. We have the opportunity to enjoy the players who have made golf what it is today.
Esperanza González Pazos, CEO Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol: “For us the golf sector is very important, with more than 70 courses in the province brings a quality of customers and tournaments like the Staysure Legends makes our destination is further strengthened, both here and through the promotion also in the UK. We continue and will continue to bet on golf”.
Ryan Howsam, President of Staysure stressed the importance of the players that have gathered in Marbella, “6 Majors winners, 2 Ryder Cup captains, 17 Ryder cup players and we are delighted to bring these players to Aloha Golf, the feedback from the players about the course has been incredible. I am sure we are going to have a fantastic tournament”.
José Mª Olazábal: “It makes me tremendously excited to return to compete in Spain in the Legends Tour, which would not be possible without the help of all parties involved, who make an important effort. This sport gives us a lot of satisfaction on a personal and sporting level, but I think it is a very important source of income in this country and we have to pamper it a little bit, and that way we will all win. I hope you have fun during the week and what we are going to try to do is to see if we can beat Miguel, who is on fire”.
Miguel Ángel Jiménez: “I thank all the institutions for their support to be able to have this tournament, and especially Aloha Golf for being so involved in this magnificent golf course, and even more, golf club; this is probably the best course in Marbella, Malaga, Andalusia and Spain, and probably in Europe as well. As here one eats, as here one lives, as here one enjoys this sport, the work that is always done is magnificent and the people who work here are fantastic. Here we all win, Marbella, Malaga, Andalusia and this is a win win win. Golf on the Costa del Sol is the most important industry we have and they cannot take it anywhere. For us it is also a joy to meet with players we don’t normally see because they are on the other side of the pond.
I had been two and a half years since the last victory, without playing badly, but there is a brutal competition, just look at the cast of players on the circuit, they are the same players who have been around the world for thirty-something years. Maybe my game has not been up to par in these two and a half years, I also have me back, we were together 10 years, then he was 2 years elsewhere and since late last year has returned to the bag and it is important to have good chemistry in the field, have a person you trust. It’s a set of things that is what has come to bring what has come.”
Visits at the Staysure Marbella Legends
This cast of players is an attraction for all fans and also for golfers who want to follow in the footsteps of those who have been their idols to get where they have reached, andhave gone through Aloha Golf Angel Hidalgo and Alvaro Quiros.
Clinic for children
Alvaro wanted to bring his children to the magnificent clinic held at the driving range, where more than 100 children of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation have enjoyed, laughed and learned from the jokes and tricks taught by José Mª Olazábal, Thomas Levet, Santiago Luna and Carlos Balmaseda.
Tomorrow Wednesday will be played a ProAm in which they will play 24 games formed by a professional and 3 amateurs, will be shot from 9 am.
The Staysure Marbella Legends, which will be played from February 14 to 16, will be sponsored by Staysure, the Marbella Town Hall and the Legends Tour, as well as Turismo Costa del Sol, Aloha Golf and the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, and the collaboration of Titleist, Bodegas Juan Gil, Maximiliano Jabugo, Licor del Mediterráneo, La Sala Group, Toa Shoes, Level 4, Talk Radio, Solán de Cabras and Occidental Puerto Banús, under the organization of JGolf.