Madird Masters Boosts Spanish Golf

The European Tour will make a fifth visit to Spain in 2008 when the Madrid Masters takes place at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in the nation’s capital from October 9 -12. The tournament, which will carry a minimum prize fund of €1 million, is supported by Turismo de Madrid (Comunidad de Madrid) and Caja Madrid and promoted by GFC Golf and Business, the company of European Tour professional Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño. Club de Campo Villa de Madrid is one of the most established courses in Continental Europe and has been a popular venue on The European Tour International Schedule since former European Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance won the Open de España there in 1982. Since then it has hosted the Open de España on five further occasions, the Open de Madrid on six occasions, one of them the BBVA Masters de Madrid in 2000 when reigning Open Champion Padraig Harrington triumphed. The Irishman certainly has a fondness for the golf course, which was founded in 1901, for he also captured the Open de España at the Madrid venue in 1996. Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “We are very much looking forward to the staging of the Madrid Masters at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. “The magnificent city of Madrid is always a popular destination for our players and we thank the Comunidad de Madrid for their continued support of The European Tour which has enabled us to return to the Spanish capital in October. “We must also thank GFC Golf and Business for their commitment to the event, at the same time acknowledging that three time European Tour champion Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño is as talented outside the ropes as he is on the golf course.” Carlo Cutropía, General Director of GFC Golf & Business, said: “For many years, the feedback from The European Tour cites Madrid as one of the favourite cities of the majority of the players, and I am convinced a visit to the Spanish capital should be an annual date on the International Schedule.
“Turismo de Madrid, in the guise of its CEO Ángela Alarcó, and such an important and Madrilenian savings bank as Caja Madrid, will be working hand in hand and have shown great confidence in our company to promote the event in such a fantastic city. Rest assured we will make a very special tournament for the players.” Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño, President of GFC Golf & Business, said: “As Madrilenian, I feel very proud to have contributed in putting together a great event for Madrid. “I know my fellow players love coming to enjoy the city, and even more to play at a great venue like Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, which has hosted many international competitions of the highest level. I hope everybody will write down the date in their diaries and I am confident the best players will come to compete.” The other Spanish tournaments currently on The 2008 European Tour International Schedule are; the MAPFRE Open de Andalucia by Valle Romano at Aloha Golf Club in March won by Thomas Levet; last week’s Open de España at Real Club de Golf de Sevilla, won by Peter Lawrie; the Comunitat Valenciana Masters Castellón Costa Azahar at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo in Castellón in October; and the Volvo Masters at Club de Golf Valderrama in November.