Mason Jones (Reporter)
THE European Tour has announced that next month’s Andalucia Masters tournament has been cancelled due to a lack of funding.
The prestigious golfing event was set to be held at the Valderrama club in Sotogrande from October 18-21.
European Tour boss George O’Grady commented today: “This is extremely disappointing news to receive, especially at such a late date,
“Despite discussions with the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, and a formal legal agreement with the Junta de Andalucia, the tournament will not take place.” He added.
It is thought that the current financial crisis has left the Junta de Andalucia unable to come up with the €3 million needed in prize money.
Three other Spanish golf tournaments have been cancelled for similar reasons this year: the Madrid Open, the Castellon Masters and the Iberdrola Open.
Great! Turn the golf courses into allotments and grow something useful with the water that’s usually wasted for growing grass.
Whilst I can appreciate your sentiments stefanjo when a country has to cancel 4 sporting tournaments which attract tourists and encourage others to spend by watching you know the country is deep in the mire and who knows how much else it will discourage. Spain needs tourists and foreign money more than ever right now and I am very sad to say it is giving the impression of a country going backwards. I hope Spain gets back on it’s feet soon, I miss the smiles on my neighbours faces. However I fear it is going to be a long hard road tied to the Euro.
Stefanjo, do you really think that growing a few more tomatoes and cucumbers will contribute more to the bankrupt spanish economy than all the money spent by golfers? Each 4 ball spends at least €200 on green fees, without accommodation and restaurant/ bar income. 7 4 balls every hour on every course. Do the maths.
Do the maths include the current drought? Anyway it was a jest, I don’t want ten million irate golfers setting about me with putters.
Most golf courses have their own reservoirs before they need extra water. Golfers also bringing with them reservoirs of money for the economy. It’s a great sport to have in Spain! Viva España!