The Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol will return to Aloha Golf, Marbella, next month, hosted by Miguel Ángel Jiménez. The 11th edition of this European Tour event will be held under the sponsorship of the Tourist, Commerce and Sports Board of Andalucía, The Costa del Sol Tourist Board, the Provincial Council of Málaga, the Benahavis City Council and the Municipality Commonwealth of the Western Costa del Sol.
For the sixth consecutive edition, 18-time European Tour winner Jiménez will be the host and organiser of the Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol through his MAJ Group, as well as being one of the main attractions for golf fans.
This will be the third staging of the event at Aloha Golf, a classic Javier Arana design that opened in 1975. The inaugural tournament was won by Lee Westwood in 2007, and the following year Thomas Levet beat Oliver Fisher in a sudden death play-off. Scotsman Paul Lawrie, winner of last year’s edition at Parador Málaga Golf, will defend his title at Aloha.
Jiménez said: “First of all, I wish to thank the people, companies and institutions that are helping us to pull the tournament through, particularly in these tough times. I am absolutely committed and determined to keep the event alive. After six years of commitment to organizing this event and supporting it with my own money, I have decided to go on because I believe Andalucía, the land of golf, deserves it.
“Organising a golf tournament has been a long standing dream of mine which would have never become true without the support of the Tourist, Commerce and Sports Board of Andalucía, The Costa del Sol Tourist Board, the Provincial Council of Málaga, the Benahavis City Council and the Municipality Commonwealth of the Western Costa del Sol, Aloha Golf and The European Tour. I also want to thank our official suppliers Kyocera, Ocho Golf, Ping, Srixon and hopefully many more will join!
“I am happy to return to Aloha, a great course where I play often and of which I am honorary member. I know that they are giving the Open de Andalucía their best effort and I am convinced that they will do a great job, particularly meeting the Tour and the players’ requirements. At this stage, I wish to convey my gratitude to the other venues which have successfully hosted this event, Parador Málaga Golf and Real Club de Golf de Sevilla, where we have always been made to feel at home.
Jiménez also took time to reflect on the state of his own game and what the future might hold for the much-loved Spaniard.
“This is my 24th season on Tour and I’m striking the ball better than ever, so I hope to be around a few more years; hopefully the putts will start dropping!” he said. “I turned 48 last month and one thing is clear to me: the moment I feel I am not competitive anymore I will lose motivation and say goodbye. I have many projects, including my golf school at Torremolinos, children’s programmes and golf course design.
“But whatever I do, golf will always be my life and I will go on enjoying it.”
