The magnificent América Course at La Cala Resort, designed by American Cabell B. Robinson in the stunning natural countryside of Mijas, has made a highly successful debut on the Andalucía Golf Challenge-Destination PGA Riviera Maya by Bahía Príncipe Circuit. The huge interest generated among players to compete at this course – one of three 18-hole layouts at the spectacular Costa del Sol resort – was highlighted by the fact that, within just one week's notice, all places were sold out. The tournament was part of the popular annual circuit organised by Andalucía Golf/España Golf magazine, with the final later this year deciding the winners of five fabulous five trips to Riviera Maya in October.

Of the resort's three courses (Asia, Europe and América), the venue for the circuit tournament is perhaps the most competitive. The course is awaiting a renovation of its greens – with a change to Bermuda, which the other two courses in the resort have already completed – but in any case the greens were in fantastic shape. América received widespread praise, and provided a pleasant surprise for many of the regular Andalucía Golf Challenge Circuit participants who were not yet familiar with the course.

As for the competition, the scratch winner was Jorge Querol González (with 32 points). Ventura Arjona Giménez won category one (38 points), followed by Alonso Arroyo Benítez (36) and Julián de Lago López (also 36). In category two, Pascal Koller led the way (42 points), Cristóbal Flores Infantes (40) was second and Juan Carlos García Soto was third (39). 

In addition to prizes for the top three in each category and the scratch winner, there were two special prizes for nearest the pin, on the 11th and 16th, won by Andrés de los Ríos García and Alonso Arroyo Benítez.

Present at the prize-giving ceremony were La Cala Resort’s director of golf and commercial and marketing director, Robert Mitchell and Edouard des Fontaines, respectively.

(PHOTO GALLERY AT THE END OF THIS TOURNAMENT REPORT) 

The La Cala event was the fifth of as many as 30 tournaments scheduled to be held during the 13th edition of this hugely popular open amateur circuit, organised by Andalucía Golf/España Golf magazine. The Circuit will cover most Andalucian provinces, in addition to other areas of central Spain, with the majority of events being held on the Costa del Sol.

The Circuit’s grand finale, which will decide the five winners of trips to the Mexican Caribbean, will be held at Almenara on 30 September, followed by a gala dinner at Gran Hotel Guadalpín Banús. 

Access to the final will be direct for the winners of each category and the leading scratch player in all the qualifying tournaments, while the rest of the places in the final will be awarded based on the Benahavís Ranking, calculated from points obtained in each leg.

The next event will be on 15 April at Royal Córdoba Club.

ENTRY REGISTRATION

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

28 October to 4 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 Benahavís Town Hall, Turismo Costa del Sol, Bahía Príncipe, Gran Hotel Guadalpín Banús, Vivienda 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.

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.

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