Jeddah hosts the final regular event of the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series this week. Teams are earning their final points before the LIV Team Championship, which takes place in Miami in two weeks. From a team perspective, Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC is doing well in Jeddah, sharing the lead with Garcia’s Fireballs. The team captain himself is making a big contribution with the singles lead.
Click here for the leaderboard of the LIV Golf Event in Jeddah. Brooks Koepka will be looking to challenge for his first LIV Golf Series victory with a flawless performance. His round of 62 is by far the best score he has signed in his previous LIV tournaments. That gives him a three-stroke lead over six players sharing second place, including Sergio Garcia. Previously, a ninth-place finish was Koepka’s best final result on the LIV Tour. His “Smash” team, ranked 8th in the season standings, also needs a few more points to reach the Team Championship. Koepka’s brother Chase contributes to the team score on T11 with a -3, as does Peter Uhilein.
LIV Golf: Bernd Wiesberger with unlucky finish
Bernd Wiesberger starts strong into the penultimate tournament of the season, but had bad luck in the finish. Starting on hole 9, he didn’t let an opening bogey get him down, where he got caught in the rough, and recovered the shot right at the 10th. The Austrian held at even par until just before the end of his round, when he began a fantastic final spurt that was, however, undone by two final bogeys. A birdie on the second hole was followed by an eagle on hole 4, immediately followed by another stroke gain. His final stroke losses dropped him to a share of 19th place.
Martin Kaymer, who is T30 after the first round, experienced ups and downs in his round but came out just one shot under par in the end. In the team standings, things are not looking so good for Kaymer’s Cleeks after last week’s podium finish. Only Richard Bland is one stroke better than the team captain, plus Graeme McDowell’s even-par round. Together they are only good enough for the last place in the team ranking after the first round.
Former NFL stars Eddie Royal and Brice Butler playing at the Aramco Team Series in New York. (photos: Getty)
The football stars join the team competition over the event’s first two days as the unique tournament format sees each four-player team including three professional golfers and they will be the team’s one amateur. Each team’s best two scores per hole count toward the team total, so each of the four team members can contribute to the team’s chances at a share of the $500,000 prize fund. The individual competition for the pro golfers spans the three days of the event, with the three-day total scores determining the leaderboard and chance at the share of the $500,000 individual prize.
During their NFL careers, the trio of wide receivers in Tate, Royal and Butler combined to score 83 touchdowns, while on the defensive side Green grabbed 25 interceptions and returned three for touchdowns.
Speaking ahead of participating in the LET event with the world’s top women golfers, former 11-year NFL pro and Super Bowl champion Golden Tate shared: “As a competitor, I always look forward to competing. Getting a chance to compete with the best ladies in the world is extra special. Hopefully I can do my part to help our team win. Competing and having fun is what it’s all about for me.”
He shared advice for girls who hope to become professionals in golf or other sports, “Continue to play and enjoy the process. Enjoy the ups and downs because the ups and downs are what build character and that’s how you get through those low moments. Preparing you for when those lights are shining on you or when you have that opportunity. You may get one chance, you might get five chances – you just want to be prepared to maximize that opportunity.”
Tate on his preparation for golf versus football, “The prep has been done for years now for golf. The practice and repetitions – football is week to week with game plans and figuring out how to beat your opponent. The game of golf is you versus the course really.”
Speaking ahead of his first round of the Aramco Team Series – New York, six-year NFL proBrice Butler said, “Just having fun with the ladies. It’s always fun playing with ladies because as a football player, you look at other people as not as physically gifted as you because maybe they’re not as big. They’re about to be out there hitting the the ball as far as me, hitting greens in reg, hitting fairways. It’s going to be fun – I’m playing with Lexi Thompson, it’ll be great to play with a great golfer out there.”
Butler shared advice for girls who aspire to become professional athletes, “Keep grinding. There are always going to be naysayers. The confidence lies within. All you need is your confidence and your grind. It’s almost like a psychotic sense of you’re going to make it regardless of what happens. If you do that, and you work hard – obviously there’s going to be some cookies that fall the way you don’t want them to fall but you gotta pick them up and eat them.”
Butler went on to discuss preparing for a golf tournament versus an NFL game ahead of Aramco Team Series – New York, “[In a] Football game I’m very confident because I know my skills and capabilities. I was doing it for a long time. This game of golf I’ve only been playing for six years, so I’m basically a baby in the game. The mind is scrambled, this mind is real scrambled [going in].” The Ladies European Tour event features 78 golfers with several of the world’s top pros including no. 4 ranked Nelly Korda, no. 6 Brooke Henderson, no. 8 Lexi Thompson, no. 14 Jessica Korda, no. 18 Charley Hull and no. 19 Leona Maguire with a $1M prize purse.
Manon De Roey takes the lead at the New York event on the LET.
New York, (October 13, 2022): The world’s top golfers battled the elements in challenging conditions at the opening round of the Aramco Team Series – New York. Belgium’s Manon De Roey overcame the wind and rain in the Big Apple to take the early lead in the individual event at Trump Golf Links on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
LET: “I’m very pleased with my score today” – De Roey claims a good start in New York
De Roey, who clinched her first LET title winning at the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok earlier this season, was flawless with a bogey-free round of 68 to finish on four-under-par. Only four players at Trump Golf Links were able to shoot under par with better conditions expected for Friday and Saturday for a course favoring the long hitters.
“I’m very pleased with my score today,” said De Roey.
“It was tough out there. We had some rain, strong winds and just tried to keep it together for the team as well – being bogey-free today which is nice. I knew today was going to be tricky but I think for the next few days it’s going to be sunny and 19 degrees, so I’m looking forward to that. It can only get better from today, so I’m looking forward to it,” added the Belgian 30-year-old.
De Roey is in fourth place on the LET’s Race to Costa Del Sol standings with a good showing in New York contributing to valuable points with just three tournaments to go in the 2022 season.
Nelly Korda, champion at the last Aramco Team Series event in Spain, sits behind De Roey after a two-under par round of 70. The American world number 4 showed her class in the wind on her back nine – with her team of Noora Homulainen, Celine Herbin and amateur James Rawson in the mix in the team event also in second place.
“The weather wasn’t that great so we were all saving each other and thankfully we all had each other’s back,” said Korda. “We played pretty well today. It was pretty windy and then it started kind of raining toward the start of our back nine and it stopped around on the 14th and the wind died”.
Talented 18-year-old rising star Pia Babnik joins Korda on two-under with four birdies and just the one bogey on her second hole in a controlled round of golf.
“I tried to really keep my ball flight much lower in the wind – I definitely needed to make some adjustments,” said Babnik.
LET: Team Leona Maguire leads the team event
Team Leona Maguire leads the way in two-day team competition on 11-under-par alongside Liz Young, Tvesa Malik and former NFL star Golden Tate – winner of Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks.
Irish star Maguire said: “It’s a good test out there and was playing long with lots of woods and hybrids needed. It will be a little kinder tomorrow and we can make plenty of birdies to keep it going.”
Team Pelaez Trivino are just one back led by captain Ana Pelaez, Nicole Garcia, Emma Grechi and amateur Michael Singer.
“It’s really important to be patient around this course and because sometimes you’re not going to hit the best shot and you’re not going have the best bounce and stuff like that,” said Pelaez.
Native New Yorker Annie Park enjoyed her day on the links and first experience of the unique team and individual event.
“This is my first time playing at this golf course and it felt like I was in Scotland today with the golf course and the weather. This is such an individual sport, and to have a little bit a team aspect into it, I think it’s fantastic with a lot on the line which is individual and team.”
There is a new format this year for the Aramco Team Series where the teams will compete over only 36 holes – the Thursday and Friday of the tournament – with $500,000 prize-money being split between the lowest scoring fourballs. Saturday’s final day of play will see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another $500,000, this time in individual earnings.
Preview for the Aramco Team Series Event in New York. (Photo: Aramco)
The stage is set for the Aramco Team Series – New York tournament to tee off on Thursday with the world’s top stars of women’s golf at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx, New York. The Ladies European Tour event features 78 golfers with several of the world’s top pros including no. 4 ranked Nelly Korda, no. 6 Brooke Henderson, no. 8 Lexi Thompson, no. 14 Jessica Korda, no. 18 Charley Hull and no. 19 Leona Maguire with a $1M prize purse.
Speaking to the media in New York on Wednesday, Nelly Korda commented: “We play so many events on the LPGA Tour, it’s nice to switch it up for a team aspect. It’s very different and it’s fun. Throughout the season, competing and traveling gets a little tiring. It’s a breath of fresh air having a team and doing a little something different throughout the season.”
Lexi Thompson shared the following on Wednesday on the setting for Aramco Team Series – New York 2022: “It’s an amazing golf course and it’s in great shape. I got to play about 14-15 holes yesterday. Besides the traffic in New York, everything is great. To take on this golf course, keep it in the fairways. There’s some fescue out there. It’ll be all weather-dependent as well, if it gets super windy there’s obviously not too much to block it. Keeping a good trajectory on ball flight. It’s in great shape for us.” Regarding the opportunities Aramco Team Series is creating for female golfers, she continued: “It’s amazing what they’re doing. As an athlete of any sport, we want to grow our game and our sport individually. What they’re doing with golf and giving other girls an opportunity to bring out their best is great. They’re very grateful for this opportunity.”
Brooke Henderson shared her excitement this week on her first visit to New York City: “First time for me in actual New York City, which is hard to believe as I’m only a seven-and-a-half-hour drive from here, but I’ve never experienced the city. I was able to walk around Central Park a little bit, so I’m enjoying the hustle and bustle and the craziness. It’s all very exciting.”
On Tuesday evening, the players gathered for the Aramco Team Series – New York team draw where 26 captains selected their teams for the tournament. The event features a unique scoring system, allowing an amateur player to contribute to the final result of the Ladies European Tour event as the competition features individual and team champions vying for the $1M prize. The team event covers the first two rounds, with individuals making the cut for a chance at the individual title on day three.
Headlining teams following the draw include the below and the full tee times list is available here
Team N. Korda: Nelly Korda, Noora Komulainen, Celine Herbin
Team Henderson: Brooke Henderson, Christine Wolf, Linda Wessberg
Team Thompson: Lexi Thompson, Kelly Whaley, Laura Fuenfstueck
Team J. Korda: Jessica Korda, Jillian Hollis, Kylie Henry
Team Hull: Charley Hull, Laura Davies, Julia Engstrom
Team Maguire: Leona Maguire, Liz Young, Tvesa Malik
Tickets are available from just $5 for adults and are free for kids under 16 years-old. To secure tickets or to find out more, visit www.aramcoteamseries.com or follow the event on social media @aramco_series.
These two all-encompassing Cleveland Golf sets, alongside the brands’ Junior set are available now and represent the perfect Christmas gift for any budding golfers in your friends or family circle.
“These three package sets are ideal for beginner and intermediate golfers of all ages, providing them with all the technology and forgiveness they require to get the most out of their game,” commented Joe Miller, Product Expert at Cleveland Golf Europe. “As a company we strive to make products that ultimately make the game more enjoyable and our package sets do exactly that!”
Men’s complete set:
Take your game up a few notches with the Men’s Complete package set with clubs developed with distance and forgiveness at the forefront of its design. This 10-piece set includes, titanium driver 10.5* & #5 fairway, #5 hybrid, 6 iron – SW and putter along with a full-feature stand bag and driver, fairway, hybrid and putter headcovers
(Photo: Cleveland Golf)
Ladies bloom set:
The new Bloom all-in-one, 9-piece set features lightweight, distance driven technology that was specifically engineered for the beginner and intermediate female golfer.
Bloom 14* Driver – A large and forgiving head shape combined with high loft and a low center of gravity make the new Bloom driver both longer and straighter off the tee. Bloom #5 Fairway Wood – A low center of gravity creates ideal launch conditions to hit the ball high and land it soft with new Bloom fairway woods. Bloom #5 Hybrid – Bloom Hybrids are versatile clubs that can help players of all skill levels. The unique design gives the accuracy of an iron, the distance of a wood, and a high launching trajectory for increased forgiveness and distance.
Bloom SW-7 Irons – Designed with advanced lightweight technology. Bloom Irons feature a forgiving cavity-back design and a responsive face for maximum distance. Bloom Putter – With a traditional, confidence-inspiring look of the classic 10i, the Bloom Putter makes it easy to line up and the perimeter weighting promotes consistency on the green. Bloom Max Cart Bag – The Bloom Max Cart Bag features a stylish 8 pocket design. This functional bag is perfect for your full set that incorporates a lightweight, classic design with convenient pocket placement.
Junior package set:
Cleveland Golf’s Junior Sets make it easy for youngsters to grow into a game they can enjoy for a lifetime. With three different optimised set options, ranging from a three-piece set for juniors aged 4-6 to a seven-piece set for ages 10-12, each junior club features similar technology found in Cleveland Golf’s standard equipment. Carry bag is also included.
Large Set – 7-piece set suits juniors aged 10-12 or 137cm – 160cm tall. Includes: Driver (18°), Fairway (22°), Hybrid (28°), 7 & 9 Iron, Wedge (56°), Putter Medium Set – 6-piece set suits juniors aged 7-9 or 111cm – 135cm tall. Includes: Driver (18°), Hybrid (28°), 7 & 9 Iron, Wedge (56°), Putter Small Set – 3-piece set suits juniors aged 4-6 or 91cm – 110cm tall. Includes: Fairway (22°), 7 Iron, Putter
(Photo: Cleveland Golf)
Retail Information and Pricing:
Cleveland Golf Package Set – Available with graphite and steel shafts. RH only. 10-piece graphite shafted set + bag – £999 / €1,099 / CHF 1,199 / SEK 11,149 10-piece steel shafted set + bag – £899 / €999 / CHF 1,099 / SEK 10,149 Bloom Set – RH only. 9-piece set + bag – £949 / €1,049 / CHF 1,149 / SEK 10,649 Junior Set – RH only. Small Set £179 / €219 / CHF 239 / SEK 2,229 – Medium Set £279 / €349 / CHF 389 / SEK 3,549 – Large Set £349 / €419 / CHF 459 / SEK 4,249 Retail Launch Date: October 1st 2022.
Luke Donald and Zach Johnson in front of the Colosseum. (Foto: Getty)
The two captains chipped shots from a specifically built platform to a Ryder Cup green located in Tempio di Venere Roma (Temple of Venus and Roma), in the shadow of the world-famous Colosseum.
European Captain Donald and United States Captain Johnson are in Rome to mark 12 months until Italy hosts its first Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, from September 26 to October 1, 2023.
The pair took the famous Ryder Cup trophy into the heart of Rome to the Colosseum, one of the city’s most historic sights which attracts millions of tourists each year.
Built in the 1st Century AD, the stone amphitheatre was a gathering place during the Roman Empire, with a capacity of around 50,000 people.
Captain Donald said: “The Colosseum is iconic when it comes to Rome, built back in 80 A.D., I was reading up about it. It is still the biggest amphitheatre ever be to built. It’s amazing they were able to do such amazing things back so many years ago.
“So to have that as a backdrop was a great showcase for Italy and a great showcase for Rome.”
Captain Johnson said: “It was an unbelievable morning and to share it with Luke and Diane and my wife was special. I mean, it’s almost surreal. The backdrop of the Colosseum, the Temple of Venus, it’s something that you just kind of pinch yourself. It was very spectacular, and I appreciate that opportunity, so thank you.”
The Captains’ visit to the Colosseum and Tempio di Venere Roma marked the second day of the Year To Go Celebrations, and the pair also hosted their first joint press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
Yesterday, Donald and Johnson were joined by 12 members of the Federazione Italiana Golf’s (FIG) Elite National Under 18 team – six boys and six girls aged 15-18 – and four members of the Elite Disabled team for the four-hole Captains’ Challenge match over the first, 16th, 17th and 18th holes at Marco Simone.
Approximately 300 local school children watched the event, which fittingly ended in a tie, with the two teams sharing the trophy.
On Monday evening, the two Captains joined 200 guests at the Official Gala Dinner which took place at the spectacular Palazzo Colonna.
Marco Simone will host the 2023 Ryder Cup from September 26 to October 1, 2023, when Europe will try to regain the Ryder Cup following defeat at Whistling Straits last year.
DP World Tour and Emirates extend their partnership. (Photo: Getty)
As part of the agreement, Emirates will benefit from highly visible branding across 21 DP World Tour tournaments and the Tour’s media and digital platforms, as well as enjoying access to the Tour’s premium hospitality services and exclusive Pro-Am experiences. Emirates will also have Official Tournament Partner status at 14 events on the DP World Tour calendar each season. Emirates will continue to be a partner of the Tour’s Virtual Eye, which is an animated graphics system delivered through live television broadcasts, providing real-time positioning and information about player performance and statistics. In addition, a new Emirates Fly Better Moments content strand will showcase exciting moments from tournaments for fans via the Tour’s digital platforms.
DP World Tour & Emirates: Partnership since 30 years
Emirates is one of the world’s largest international airlines connecting customers to more than 130 destinations across six continents via Dubai with its modern fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft. The partnership between Emirates and the DP World Tour stretches back over 30 years, after Emirates became Title Partner of the Dubai Desert Classic in 1989. Emirates then became a Partner of the season ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in 2009, and became an Official Tour Partner and Official Airline of the Tour in 2014.
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “We’re delighted to extend our partnership with the DP World Tour. The tour continues to grow in prominence, attracting the best international golf players and providing us a platform to engage with golf fans on a global scale. Fittingly, the DP World Tour Championship culminates in Dubai, bringing visitors and global attention to Emirates’ home city which has also grown to become one of the world’s leading golfing destinations.”
Since 2009, the airline has carried more than 600 professional golfers to Dubai to play in the season ending DP World Tour Championship, bringing together more than 200,000 golf enthusiasts to watch the exciting tournament.
Guy Kinnings, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Commercial Officer of the European Tour group, added: “Emirates are one of our longest serving partners and I’m delighted that they have decided to extend our partnership until the end of the 2024 season. As an airline that connects the world, they continue to benefit from aligning their brand with a truly global Tour – and our footprint continues to expand into new countries each season. We also benefit from Emirates’ extensive sports partnerships experience and proven track record in connecting sports fans to their passion.”
Scotty Cameron presents the new MONOBLOK 6 and 6.5 putters. (Photo: Titleist)
Carlsbad, Calif. (September 22, 2022)–With a passion for creating putters that perform at golf’s highest levels, Scotty Cameron introduces the new MONOBLOK 6 and MONOBLOK 6.5 putters. Made in a limited run and inspired by the continued success of tour professionals playing previous generation GOLO models on the worldwide tours, these rounded mallets are reminiscent of GOLO designs, yet offer a new, sought-after head size in two, purpose-specific neck and shaft configurations. Inspired by an iconic automotive wheel crafted from a single block of metal, Scotty named these MONOBLOK to celebrate his tradition of milling putters from solid 303 stainless steel.
Available in golf shops beginning October 7, the MONOBLOK 6 and MONOBLOK 6.5 feature an industrial machined metal bevel design, a misted anti-glare stainless steel finish accented in translucent cherry red and asphalt gray paint, a Pistolero Plus grip, a custom shaft band and a model-specific headcover. The “6” nomenclature signifies the line’s dimensions at a new size that fits between the GOLO 5 and 7 head shapes.
Designed, precision milled and assembled in the United States, each new Limited Release MONOBLOK putter incorporates Scotty’s customizable stainless steel sole weights, as well as an aluminum sole plate designed to optimize weight distribution, shifting weight to the perimeter of the putter head for balance, stability and forgiveness.
Master Craftsman Scotty Cameron on the new MONOBLOKS
“Tour players who game compact mallets have been partial to our GOLO shapes since we first introduced them in 2012. That’s going back a decade through this year, when J.T. Poston gamed a GOLO 5 in his victory at the 2022 John Deere Classic. We had several requests for a model that’s in between the 5 and 7 sizes, so we created the MONOBLOK 6 and 6.5. They are designed in a new size with a familiar shape that has the swooping curves and that pleasing ‘melt-into-the-ground’ look from address. Before these go out to Tour, I wanted to make a special run. We all like options, so one comes with a single midbend shaft configuration, and the other with our jet neck for guys looking for a little more toe flow. In keeping the color palette clean and monotone, as well as the extensive milling process from solid stainless steel, the name MONOBLOK just fit.”
A closer look at the new MONOBLOKS
With its rounded compact mallet shape based on earlier GOLO putters, the MONOBLOK 6 is sized in between the GOLO 5 and 7 models with a mid-bend shaft for a nearly face balanced setup. Precision milled from a single block of 303 stainless steel, the MONOBLOK 6 has an integrated sole plate machined from 6061 aircraft aluminum. Seamlessly fused to the body, this configuration allowed Scotty to design more solid stainless steel into the face and perimeter, increasing MOI, balance and feel. The limited release MONOBLOK 6 has a solid face, misted stainless steel finish, adjustable performance balanced stainless steel sole weighting and includes a Pistolero Plus grip and a MONOBLOK headcover.
With the same dimensions as the MONOBLOK 6, Scotty’s new MONOBLOK 6.5 was designed with a jet neck for players who favor a putting stroke with a bit of toe flow. The key to maintaining the same size, shape and overall head weight with a different neck is the integrated sole plate. Precision milled from 6061 aircraft aluminum and lightly misted with clear anodization, this engineered component allows the solid stainless steel to be distributed properly for increased MOI, balance and feel. The limited release MONOBLOK 6.5 has a solid face, misted stainless steel finish, adjustable performance balanced stainless steel sole weighting and includes a Pistolero Plus grip and a MONOBLOK headcover. A small number of left-handed MONOBLOK 6.5 putters will also be offered.
Weighting,availability and more
The MONOBLOK 6 and MONOBLOK 6.5 putters extend Scotty Cameron’s proven construction methodology of incorporating complementary materials to achieve desired performance characteristics. Each model employs a precision milled 6061 aircraft grade aluminum sole plate expertly designed into the 303 stainless steel putter head, which allows for higher MOI, optimal weight distribution, superior balance and excellent feel.
The MONOBLOK putters each feature performance balanced weighting with two customizable heel-toe stainless steel sole weights matched to the putter’s length to ensure consistent feel and weight at every length.
Each MONOBLOK putter is accessorized with a Pistolero Plus grip with gray Scotty Cameron lettering and a slightly built-up lower hand profile. This new grip complements an embroidered, custom designed MONOBLOK headcover. A stepless steel shaft includes the line’s MONOBLOK shaft band.
Scotty Cameron Limited Release MONOBLOK putters will be available at Titleist golf shops worldwide on October 7, 2022. Retail: $650.
SO/Sotogrande Resort and Clubhouse of The San Roque Club
(Photos: SO/Sotogrande Resort and Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Plenty of sun and fantastic golf courses
The sun shines on more than 300 days in the southern Spanish province of Andalucia. This makes it Spain’s leader among the regions with the most hours of sunshine, ahead of the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. Because of its more than 70 golf courses, this stretch of coast is also known as the Costa del Golf.
Residence at the highest level
Sotogrande is the largest privately owned residential complex in Andalusia. It is located in the municipality of San Roque in Cadiz and covers an area of 20 square kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea 25 km east of Gibraltar.
This year it celebrates its 60th anniversary. As one of the most prestigious residential destinations in Europe, it offers a unique lifestyle as well as a luxurious living experience. Over time, Sotogrande has retained its rich Andalusian culture, creating a charm and understated elegance that contrasts with the fast pace of modern life. At the heart is La Reserva Club, who’s gated residential communities offer large green spaces, contemporary design and living, privacy and access to the club’s and Sotogrande’s wide variety of amenities which include a private beach club, world class golf, a fabulous array of culinary options and a world-class international school.
Trendy lifestyle oasis
Among the region’s newest top hotels is the SO/ Sotogrande Resort which opened in 2021. Sotogrande’s latest five-star hotel is located at the westernmost point of the Costa del Sol. It is owned by a joint venture of Accor SO/Hotels & Resorts Group and Ennismore Fund Management Limited.
Mood at sunrise and at night (Photos: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Luxury in a refreshing design
Natural colours and extravagant, bold shapes characterise the style of Spanish designer Dolores Cortes. It runs through the entire hotel, whose lightness and playfulness catch the eye as soon as you enter the lobby. These continue throughout the hotel complex and apply to every area of the former Cortijo, a Spanish farmhouse. The official name ‚The Revolutionised Cortijo‘ could not describe the hotel more accurately.
Lobby of SO/Sotogrande Resort (Photos: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Conviviality, joie de vivre, wellness and enjoyment are written in capital letters and are met with a high-quality offer.
The management attaches particular importance to a sustainable and contemporary Andalusian lifestyle. While the exterior is kept plain white, the shady arcades, well-tended gardens and the harmoniously coordinated colour palette in the interior areas and rooms contribute to a good mood from the very first moment. Everything is spacious and generously laid out.
The hotel is nestled on a slope in the southern Spanish landscape of cork oak forests and pine groves and is hidden from view in complete tranquillity. It offers views of the sea in the distance, the gardens and the adjacent golf course.152 cosy rooms and stylish studios as well as 36 spacious suites are terraced around the pool and restaurant areas. Like my 33-square-metre, modernly furnished SO Comfy King double room, all rooms have their own balcony or terrace. The bed is a dream.
SO Comfy King double room (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The 2,800 sqm SO/SPA & FITNESS consists of the SO/SPA and the SO/FIT. Here guests can relax in the sauna, exercise on state-of-the-art equipment and be pampered in the health and wellness centre. Two outdoor pools invite you to cool off.
Families with children are also very welcome at the resort. In the SO/KIDS CLUB, which is open daily, the youngest children feel just as much at home as they do in their own pool.
Pop-up dining concept
The palate is pampered in four bars and restaurants. I was particularly impressed by the SO-HI Lounge and the Cortijo with its tapas bar and restaurant. They serve tasty snacks, light lunch menus and traditional, typical Andalusian dishes.
Stylish Cortijo Tapas & Bar and its trendy Lounge (Photos: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The service throughout the hotel is extremely professional, attentive and friendly.
An evening at the nearby restaurant of the Trocadero Sotogrande, a beach club located directly on the beach with a fantastic view of the Rock of Gibraltar, is a must. Alternatively, you can spend the end of the day in the Cancha II restaurant of the nearby Ayala Polo Club, which is one of the world’s leading polo clubs.
From the hotel directly to the golf course
Directly on the hotel grounds is the Almenara Golf Course with 3x 9 holes. The course was designed by British golf course architect Dave Thomas and recently redesigned by legendary Spanish player Manuel Piñero. It is one of the most extensive on the Costa del Sol and borders Los Alcornocales Natural Park.
Clubhouse and impression of Almenara Golf Course (Photos: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
I play the Lagos loop, whose ponds dominate the course playfully and visually. Two 9-hole loops are always open. A driving range would be nice, but it is not available yet – though I’m told there are plans. In addition to the water hazards, the course is characterised by its beautifully laid out fairways and the extremely hilly and completely quiet terrain, surrounded by old trees. It is fair, a pleasure to play and allows for a good score.Despite the dryness, the course is in good shape. It is a great introduction and an affordable alternative to the more expensive championship courses in the area. The green fee for hotel guests for nine holes is € 85,- incl. buggy.
Elite courses in the immediate vicinity
The resort offers attractive stay-and-play packages that include playing Spain’s top golf courses nearby.
La Reserva Club is one of them. It is the youngest but longest of the championship courses in Sotogrande. We play from yellow and have 6,048 metres to cover. It is currently number six in the Spanish ranking.
The very hilly course was established in 2003. It leads uphill and downhill through two idyllic valleys surrounded by old, dense trees. Since 2014, it has hosted tournaments of the European Tour and more recently the ladies’ ARAMCO Team series.
The layout is imposing. The fairways are wide, the greens are large, extremely fast and well protected by large bunkers. Their white sand shines in the sun. Water comes into play on a total of six holes.
The course is an experience, its elevated tees and views are magnificent, its condition without any criticism. It is sportingly demanding, but fair. Good shots are rewarded, bad ones punished.
The imposing clubhouse in the style of a hacienda is enthroned at the highest point of the course behind the 18th green. The single green fee incl. buggy costs from € 180,- depending on the season and course utilisation.
La Reserva Club Sotogrande (Photos: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
After the round, we relax at the avant-garde La Reserva Club with its adjoining The Beach, located directly below the clubhouse. An man-made lagoon with a sandy beach for families, a separate garden with a pool for adults only and a lake where only water sports are practised are part of the exceptional offer.
Spain’s ultimate
The golfing highlight in Sotogrande is the 18 holes of the Real Club Valderrama, founded in 1974. It is the undisputed number one in Spain. The club was awarded the designation ‘Real’ by the Spanish King Juan Carlos in 2014. It has become known through numerous international tournaments, such as the Ryder Cup in 1997, which was held on continental European soil for the first time.
Characteristic of the extremely challenging, hilly course are the fairways, which are lined with centuries-old, gnarled cork oaks. If you don’t hit them or don’t hit them in the right place, the crowns of the trees often get in the way on the next shot and require a recovery shot.
The greens are mostly small, furiously fast and often slope up towards the back. The thick rough reaches right up to them. This is already a huge challenge for professionals, but almost impossible to master for amateurs. The blades of grass wrap around the balls, which would disappear never to be seen without the trained eyes of the forecaddy.
Precision is required on the course before length. On the par 71 course, I have to cover a length of 5,520 m from the yellow executive tees.Each hole is different and remains in the memory. The highlight for me is the fourth, a par 5 with a steeply rising green that is protected on the side by a water hazard. Many dreams of a good score have been dashed here. The layout is exceptional and the maintenance of the course is impeccable.
Tee box and Hole 4 at Real Club Valderrama (Photos: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The impressive Members Club and the great impressions of the championship course are hard to beat. Non-members can also enjoy the opportunity to play. The green fee for the once in a lifetime experience is € 450,- in high season. In addition, there is the fee for the caddy plus tip.
Old and New Course
The noble San Roque Club is the finale of our golf trip. It is one of the most exclusive clubs in Europe and is located a good quarter of an hour from the hotel. Of its two 18-hole championship courses, the Old Course is the better known. It was designed by Dave Thomas in 1991.
It hosted 15 European Tour Qualifying School Finals from 1993-2007 and the Spanish Open in 2005. In recent years, it has been extensively renovated and equipped with a new irrigation system, new grass and bunkers. New practice facilities have been added as a new driving range as well.We play the redesigned Old Course, which is slightly hilly and partly surrounded by imposing villas. The conditions are excellent. Strategic play is required here. It is better to leave the driver in the bag, especially on the various doglegs. A three wood is usually sufficient. The greens are a dream, easy to read and not too fast.
San Roque Club Old Course (Photos: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Customer orientation is written in capital letters throughout the club. The friendliness of the staff is striking. The green fee starts at € 180,- in the high season.
If you want to enjoy and golf at the highest level, the region of Sotogrande and SO/ Sotogrande are the place to be. It comes as no surprise that the resort has been nominated for the World Luxury Hotel Awards in 2022 in the categories Luxury Lifestyle Hotel & Luxury New Resort. I am already curious about the result of the vote.With the hotel shuttle, the drive back to the airport in Malaga via the motorway takes less than an hour and Gibraltar airport is just 20 minutes away. Enough time to review the wonderful impressions.
An extraordinary celebration event, called “One Year To Go”, made up of various events, marked the start of the countdown to the 2023 Solheim Cup coming to Spain for the first time. There is only one year left until the most important women’s golf competition in the world comes to Finca Cortesín, Málaga, from 22 to 24 September 2023.
To highlight those 365 days that will be crossed off the calendar for the European and US teams to meet on the Costa del Sol, the dyke of the emblematic Puerto Banús in Marbella (Málaga), brought together 365 children from different golf schools in Andalusia in which, in unison, they did the “Longest Swing”.
The little golfers took their places and, forming a huge multicoloured wave, hit an approach shot into the sea with totally biodegradable balls. Afterwards, the captain of the European Solheim Cup team, Suzann Pettersen, arrived by helicopter and, with the magnificent tournament trophy in her hands, greeted each and every one of the children.
Exhibition match at Finca Cortesín
A few hours earlier, the protagonist was the new hole 1 at Finca Cortesín, where an exhibition match took place in which Suzann Pettersen challenged the model and actor Andrés Velencoso and the guitarist of the group D’Vicio Alberto González, “Missis”, while the ambassadors of the tournament recreated the great atmosphere of the Solheim Cup. The European captain highlighted the design of hole 1, perfect for an event like the Solheim Cup and wished it to be “a very noisy hole, with all the Spanish passion cheering on the European team”.
Vicente Rubio, general manager of Finca Cortesín, recalled how the LET “honoured us naming us as the venue for the 2023 Solheim Cup and since then, our team has been working to make it a success. And over the next 12 months we will continue in this line of improvements to guarantee both players and fans a unique and unforgettable experience”.
This moment concluded with a tribute to Raquel Carriedo, the first Spaniard to play in a Solheim Cup and who shared with all those present her memories of that historic experience in the 2000 edition.
Triple countdown
The celebrations of this “One Year To Go” had as an extraordinary culmination the launch of three countdowns, one in each of the municipalities involved in the organisation of the Solheim Cup 2023 (Benahavís, Casares and Marbella), to remember the time left for the celebration of this great event.
The Mayor of Benahavís, José Antonio Mena, was in attendance, accompanied by Pablo Mansilla, President of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation.
“We have been fighting for a long time for the arrival of this tournament in Spain and Andalusia, and now there is only one year to go. Once again, Andalusia will once again be the world epicentre of golf and women’s sport thanks to the Solheim Cup,” said Mansilla.
“The golf industry is perhaps the most important industry in Benahavis and therefore, from the first moment we have wanted to be part of the Solheim Cup, and this commitment will bring numerous benefits, both to our municipality and to the entire Costa del Sol,” said Mena.
José Carrasco, Mayor of Casares, said he was “very proud to be able to offer our innumerable tourist resources and I am convinced that the Solheim Cup will mark a before and after for our municipality and for Andalusia”.
And Manuel Cardeña, Deputy Mayor of Marbella and CEO of Acosol, stressed that “the arrival of the Solheim Cup for the first time in Spain, and more specifically on the Costa del Sol, offers us a great opportunity to strengthen our position as a tourist destination and to be the epicentre of world golf in 365 days, something we have to take advantage of”.
Cardeña was accompanied by Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía; Francisco Salado, President of the Diputación de Málaga; and Margarita del Cid, Vice President of the Diputación de Málaga, among other personalities such as Alan Solheim, representative of the firm that gives its name to the tournament, and people from the Ladies European Tour (LET), the Royal Spanish Golf Federation and Deporte & Bussines, the organising company.
Arturo Bernal was in charge of bringing to a close a marathon programme of events that has focused on the arrival of the Solheim Cup in Spain in just twelve months.
“The celebration of the Solheim Cup next year will allow Andalusia to demonstrate once again that we are the best destination in Europe for the organisation and development of major sporting events in general and golf in particular,” concluded.
The Solheim Cup 2023, an event of exceptional public interest whose official venue is Finca Cortesin, is sponsored by PING, Costa del Sol and Rolex as global partners; and by the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, with co-financing from the European Union, Acosol, the Marbella Town Hall and the Benahavís Town Hall as official partners, and Reale Seguros as official sponsor. Solán de Cabras, Eversheds Sutherland, Casares Town Hall, Toro, Vithas, E-Z-GO and Jet Set Sports are official suppliers. Marca and Radio Marca are official media. Promoted and organised by Deporte & Business. LET, LPGA, RFEG, CSD and RFGA collaborate in its organisation.
