The European Tour and Madrid Trophy Promotion, the company responsible for staging the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament, today announced a five-year partnership to lead the development of the Open de España from 2019 to 2023.
The agreement between the European Tour, Madrid Trophy Promotion, the Spanish Golf Federation, and Club de Campo Villa de Madrid – the host course of this year’s Open de España from October 3-6, 2019 - ensures the prestigious tournament will continue to flourish in Spain.
The tournament, which has been played in Spain since 1912, has an illustrious list of past champions including Seve Ballesteros, Arnold Palmer, Sergio García, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, and most recently Jon Rahm in 2018, who also confirmed his participation in the event this year.
Gerard Tsobanian, CEO of Madrid Trophy Promotion, said: “As we did with the tennis when we started the Mutua Madrid Open 18 years ago, our main goal is to popularise golf, bringing it to as many people as possible. We embark on this project with great enthusiasm and with the intention of putting our stamp on the world of golf. One of our biggest goals is for the Open de España to become an unmissable social event in Madrid.”
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, added: “I am delighted with today’s announcement which secures the future of the Open de España through to 2023. National Opens are the lifeblood of the European Tour and especially a championship so historic and prestigious as this one.
“Spain has played an important part in the overall story of the European Tour; from hosting our very first tournament in Girona in 1972 to giving us one of the greatest players to ever play the game in the late Seve Ballesteros. We are therefore excited to now be looking to the future in this great country.
“We have many people to thank for today’s announcement and no-one more so than CEO Gérard Tsobanian and everyone at Madrid Trophy Promotion for their vision and their commitment to golf. We have all seen what they have done in tennis over the past 18 years and we look forward to working with them to help raise the Open de España to new heights.
“We also pay tribute to President Gonzaga Escauriaza and the Real Federación Española de Golf, not only for their help with this partnership but also for the sterling work they have done for many years in growing the game in Spain.
“And finally, we give thanks to President Luis Cueto and everyone at Club de Campo Villa Madrid for allowing us the use of their wonderful golf course, a venue that has a rich history in our game and in the Open de España. We look forward to writing another chapter in October.”
Madrid Trophy Promotion also announced the construction of a grandstand on the 18th hole, a new refurbished public village and a spectacular VIP zone.
Defending champion Rahm added: “I want to thank Madrid Trophy Promotion, the Spanish Golf Federation and the European Tour for making this event happen.
“Going back to the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, which is a great golf course and a great design, there is a lot of history in that golf course and a lot of history in the city of Madrid when it comes to sport. It is an icon for world class football, tennis and many other sports, and I hope golf becomes one of those iconic sports.
“It will be an honour for me to come back in October and defend the title. It is an honour always to come back to Madrid and the Spanish Federation. I have become the player I am today because of the Spanish Federation and a lot of people that work for them, and with them, so it’s always going to be a special city for me, and I can’t wait to be back in October to defend my Spanish Open title.”
Gonzaga Escuariaza, President of the Spanish Golf Federation, said: “On behalf of the Real Federación Española de Golf, the whole of Spanish golf is greatly satisfied with the presentation of the 2019 Open de España. Not only because it means having the best colleagues to make sure the event is successful, but also because all of the parties involved in the organisation have expressed their desire to keep making the Open de España a tournament that is even more important that it is already.
“It is guaranteed to be spectacular because the venue, Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, is one of the great courses in Spanish and European golf and has hosted many first-class events. The memories of 2018’s tournament, the week itself, the spectacular finish, and 50,000 people creating a unique atmosphere, it was all magical, as I’m sure the 2019 Spanish Open will be too.”
Club de Campo Villa de Madrid boasts some of the most prestigious golf facilities in Spain, thanks to its design and location. The Black Course, designed by Javier Arana, has previously played host to European Tour events, including the Open de España and the Open de Madrid.
Luis Cueto, President of the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, added: “For the city of Madrid and for the Club de Campo, it is hugely satisfying to have closed this agreement, which is so beneficial to all.
“Once again, as with other prestigious tournaments such as the CSI show jumping event, we have demonstrated the best of public-private collaboration for the sport, for our club and for our city. I would also like to highlight the role played by the CCVM in the municipal policy of honouring the public. Excellence comes through desire, talent and resources, and we have all of those at our club now.”
