The 13th Andalucía Golf Challenge-Destination PGA Riviera Maya by Bahía Príncipe Circuit now has its five winners: Spaniards Francisco Javier Gavira Padilla and Fernando Guinda Pérez, Dutchman Timo Alenski Van T Zelfde, Norwegian Hans Peter Dalen and Swiss Paskal Koller. For different reasons, two will not be able to enjoy their prizes of magnificent golf trips to the Riviera Maya, so their places to the Caribbean will go to the next qualified players in the corresponding categories: Roberto Ramiro Abril and Norberto Pérez Díaz. Timo Alenski repeated as a winner on the Circuit: last year he also won one of the five trips on offer in the final, on that occasion to the Dominican Republic.

Almenara in Sotogrande, specifically the combination of its Pinos and Lagos nine-hole layouts, was the setting for the Circuit's grand finale, which this year was played at 25 Spanish courses, including the likes of Royal Valderrama, Finca Cortesín, Royal Sotogrande and La Reserva.

(PHOTO GALLERY AT THE END OF THIS TOURNAMENT REPORT)  

Nearly one hundred players, who qualified directly by winning legs of the Circuit or through the Benahavís Ranking (cumulative points based on results in each event), teed up at Almenara, a highly technical and excellently maintained course, with the greens especially in superb condition. At times the wind blew with relative intensity, which made play even more difficult.

A refreshment tent was set up at the ninth hole, delighting participants with a tasting of ham, cheese, fruit, etc.

The grand finale was sponsored in exceptional fashion by Exxacon. With more than 22 years of experience in the real estate sector, the company’s key objective is to create spaces with personality and endowed with the highest quality. Their commitment to and empathy with clients allows them to find ready answers to their needs, so that they can feel proud of their new home. On the Costa del Sol, Exxacon has many varied developments that are fully adapted to the modern times of sustainability and energy savings. Each project is conceived under the Smart Living concept – the new way of living.

In the evening, the gala dinner was held at Barbillón Marbella, an extraordinary beach club right by the sea in the Guadalmina urbanisation, which stands out for its exquisite decoration, the quality of all its facilities and its delicious gastronomy. The setting for the event, a full moon night and a pleasant temperature all helped enhance the gala celebrations, which brought together about 150 people, including players in the final and their companions. A phenomenal cocktail reception preceded the dinner, with guests warmly commenting on its high quality.

The prize-giving ceremony was presided over by Alejandra Méndez of Exxacon, Jesús Porro of Viviendodeltrading.com, and Luis Navarro and Antonio Sánchez, representing the Andalucía Golf Challenge Circuit organisers.

RESULTS

Scratch winner:

Timo Alenski Van T Zelfde 36 points

Category One:

1º Timo Alenski Van T Zelfde 36 points

2º Hans Peter Dalen 35 points

3º Fernando Guinda Pérez 34 points

4º Norberto Pérez Díaz 34 points

Category Two: 

1º Francisco Javier Gavira Padilla 39 points

2º Pascal Koller 38 points

3º Roberto Ramiro Abril 37 points

4º Juan Carlos García Soto 35 points

FINAL RESULTS

The Andalucía Golf Challenge-Destination PGA Riviera Maya by Bahía Príncipe is a popular open amateur circuit, organised by Andalucía Golf/España Golf magazine and covering all Andalucian provinces, in addition to other areas of central Spain, with the majority of events being held at top courses on the Costa del Sol.

DESTINATION PGA RIVIERA MAYA by BAHÍA PRÍNCIPE

The grand finale of the circuit will decide the five winners of one-week all-inclusive trips to the Bahía Príncipe resort in Riviera Maya, with golf at PGA Riviera Maya, El Camaleón Mayakoba and Playa Paraíso. The top two finishers in each category and the scratch winner in the final, to be played on 30 September at Almenara, will travel to the Mexican Caribbean.

PLANNED DATE FOR THE TRIP

7 to 14 November 2023

The PRIZE INCLUDES:

- Flights from Málaga or Madrid to Cancun (round trip)

- Transfers between the airport and hotel

- All-inclusive accommodation at the 5-star Grand Tulum Bahía Príncipe hotel

- Golf at PGA Riviera Maya, El Camaleón Mayakoba and Playa Paraíso

.

The Circuit is sponsored by AIR EUROPA, BENAHAVÍS TOWN HALL, COSTA DEL SOL TOURISM, BAHÍA PRÍNCIPE, GRAN HOTEL GUADALPÍN BANÚS, VIVIENDO DEL TRADING and MARBELLA TOWN HALL. The main collaborators are Fairway+blue, D.O. Somontano, IdeaTerrazas and Holiday Golf Estates. Cadena SER and Andalucía Golf/España Golf magazine are the Circuit's official media outlets.

AIR EUROPA

Air Europa is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, made up of 19 airlines that have been working together as a major global network for 20 years, serving more than 630 million passengers annually. Air Europa's fleet is one of the most modern on the continent. It comprises 38 aircraft whose average age does not exceed four years. The company is a leader in environmental conservation processes. In 2018, the German environmental organisation Atmosfair rated Air Europa as the most efficient European network airline.

BENAHAVÍS

Benahavís is a town with a rich Andalucian flavour, highlighted by narrow white streets, typically Arab, most of which lead to sunny squares. It is a welcoming town where you can enjoy nature and luxury developments, carefully integrated into the natural landscape and enveloped by golf courses meandering around the slopes of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range. Founded by the Arabs, under the protection of a 10th century fortress, Benahavís today is a perfect combination of tradition and modernity – a charming town that offers endless possibilities as a first-class tourist destination.

COSTA DEL SOL TOURISM

Costa del Sol Tourism and Planning is a public-owned company operating under the auspices of the Málaga provincial government (Diputación) and whose main objective is to promote the province as a tourist destination and to support economic growth, by designing and undertaking projects at the service of private companies and public entities. It is dedicated to providing professional consultancy, advice and services in the following areas: tourist and business development, tourist and territorial planning, new technologies and modernisation of the tourism industry, and tourism marketing. It is a technical instrument set up for departments of the Diputación and municipalities, municipal authorities, associations and other public or private organisations associated with the development of Málaga province.

BAHÍA PRÍNCIPE

Bahía Príncipe Hotels & Resorts is a hotel chain owned by Grupo Piñero, a prestigious Spanish family group that has interests throughout the high-end holiday industry network. Managed entirely by the Piñero family, the company has 27 hotels with more than 14,000 rooms, and is grouped under four categories: Bahía Príncipe Sunlight, Bahía Príncipe Grand, Bahía Príncipe Luxury and Bahía Príncipe Fantasia. The hotel chain has a presence in the most attractive locations in the Dominican Republic, Mexico), Jamaica and Spain.

GRAN HOTEL GUADALPÍN BANÚS

This five-star, frontline beach resort is located in the Nueva Andalucía (Marbella) area, just a 15-minute walk from the famous Puerto Banús marina. Offering tailor-made golf packs, Gran Hotel Guadalpín Banús and CostaSol Deluxe can organise your golf getaway so you don't have to worry about anything. Gran Hotel Guadalpín Banús is recognised as an elite and cosmopolitan option for those who are looking for the best hotels in Marbella. Only six kilometres separate it from Marbella’s town centre, highlighted by its charming Old Town with cobble-stoned streets and ancient churches – a wonderful place to visit.

VIVIENDODELTRADING.COM

The best manager of your capital is you. Learn to invest in a diversified and efficient way so that your money works for you. Viviendo del Trading has been training people for more than 10 years to manage their own capital with realistic expectations – and to enjoy a simple, easy and calm management process. Viviendo del Trading currently comprises seven people, six of whom are traders and investors. It is tremendously difficult and quite rare to bring together a team of traders with different profiles and specialities.

MARCA MARBELLA

Marbella is synonymous above all else with quality of life, an exceptional tourist destination that has been recognised worldwide for decades – with its image associated with the luxury, glamour and social status of other iconic resorts such as Monte Carlo and Saint Tropez. The keys to its success, attracting millions of visitors every year, are varied, highlighted by its extraordinary climate, its hotel infrastructure, its marinas, its beaches extending along 27 kilometres of coastline, its wide and varied range of leisure activities, and its many sports facilities, including 15 golf courses in the municipality.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.andaluciagolf.com/en/latest-news/5894-the-winners-of-the-2023-andalucia-golf-challenge-circuit#sigProId47ada7d1ae