Here is a compilation of curious facts about the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, DP World Tour tournament to be played from October 17-20 at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande. Tickets can be purchased here.

-    This is the tenth Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, a tournament whose first edition was played in 2010 and which will be held for the second time at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.

-    List of winners: Adrian Meronk (2023), Adrián Otaegui (2022), Matt Fitzpatrick (2021), John Catlin (2020), Christiaan Bezuidenhout (2019), Sergio García (2011, 2017 y 2018) and Graeme McDowell (2010).
 
-    The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters brings together 126 players and offers $ 3,250,000 in prize money, 5000 Race to Dubai points (835 for the winner) and 1500 points for the European Ryder Cup team.

-    Players are coming from 24 different nations: 100 from Europe, 9 from Africa, 7 from Asia, 2 from Oceania and 8 from America.

-    The most represented country is Great Britain with 32 players (23 from England, 7 from Scotland, 1 Welsh and 1 Northern Irish), followed by Spain with 17, France with 11, Germany with 10 and South Africa with 9. 

-    Leading the Spanish golfers is Jon Rahm, two-time Major winner, 2019 Race to Dubai champion and the best Spanish player in the OWGR (he is currently 13th in the world ranking). With ten victories in 75 tournaments played on the DP World Tour, Rahm is the second player with the best winning percentage on the Tour behind Tiger Woods.

-    These are the other 16 Spaniards playing in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters (in brackets their DP World Tour titles): Pablo Larrazábal (9), Álvaro Quirós (7), Adrián Otaegui (5), Rafa Cabrera Bello (4), Jorge Campillo (3), Nacho Elvira (2), Adri Arnaus (1), Ángel Hidalgo (1), Alfredo García Heredia, David Puig, Eugenio Chacarra, Santiago Tarrío, Alejandro del Rey, Manuel Elvira, Iván Cantero and Sebastián García.

-    Ten players who defended the European team in the Ryder Cup will be at Sotogrande: Jon Rahm, Nicolai Højgaard, Thornbjørn Olesen, Soren Kjeldsen, Bernd Wiesberger, Ross Fisher, Edoardo Molinari, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Andy Sullivan and Oliver Wilson.

-    The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande brings together 18 winners of the 2024 DP World Tour season: Thornbjørn Olesen (Ras Al Khaimah Championship), Rikuya Hoshino (Commercial Bank Qatar Masters), Darius van Driel (Magical Kenya Open), Jordan Gumberg (SDC Championship), Matteo Manassero (Jonsson Workwear Open), Jesper Svensson (Porsche Singapore Open), Adrián Otaegui (Volvo China Open), Nacho Elvira (Soudal Open), Laurie Canter (European Open), Marcel Siem (Italian Open), Ewen Ferguson (Porsche European Open), David Ravetto (D+D REAL Czech Masters), Frederic Lacroix (Danish Golf Championship), Niklas Nørgaard (Betfred British Masters), Matt Wallace (Omega European Masters), Rasmus Højgaard (Amgen Irish Open), Ángel Hidalgo (acciona Open de España) and Dan Bradbury (FedEx Open de France).

-    If one of the Spanish players wins, it will be Spain's 209th title in the history of the DP World Tour.

-    Only two players have scored a hole-in-one in the history of the tournament: Oliver Wilson (2011) and Lorenzo Gagli (2020). Both did it on Real Club Valderrama’s 12th hole.

-    In the nine editions held to date only two albatrosses have been recorded. Joost Luiten did it in 2017 on the 11th hole and Haydn Porteous on the 17th hole during the 2019 edition, both at Real Club Valderrama.

-    Four winners of the Sotogrande Cup will be at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, the signature amateur competition that has been hosted by Real Club de Golf Sotogrande since 1970: Marcel Siem, Adrien Saddier, Todd Clements and José María Zamora, the Tournament Director. In addition, four other players were runners-up in the Sotogrande Cup: Jon Rahm, Romain Langasque, Lukas Nemecz and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

-    It is the 66th DP World Tour tournament to be held in Andalucía, counting the 1997 Ryder Cup.

-    Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is a 6,493 metres par 72 course.

-    In the 2023 edition, the most difficult hole was the hole 4, a 202 metres par 3, with a 3.26 stroke average. Only 19 birdies were scored on this hole throughout the week, compared with 106 bogeys and 6 double bogeys. In second place, the hole 13, a 189 metres par 3 (with a 3.24 stroke average) and third, the hole 9, a 385 metres par 4 (with a 4.17 stroke average).

-    On the other hand, the easiest holes were the 14th, a 483 metres par 5 with a 4.44 stroke average, the 17th, a 484 metres par 5 (4.6 stroke average), and the 2nd, a 514 metres par 5 (4.66 stroke average).

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters celebrates its tenth edition, all of them held in the Sotogrande area of San Roque, returning to Real Club de Golf Sotogrande with a spectacular field headed by Jon Rahm, two-time Major winner and the best Spaniard in the world ranking. All this has been discussed at the press conference in which the tournament, to be held from October 17-20 was presented. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.

The representatives of the entities and institutions related to the tournament took advantage of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters press conference to emphasize their union. Once again, golf shows its roots in the San Roque area and its touristic, economic, promotional and cultural potential through a professional event. This is the sixth year in which Estrella Damm, the premium beer brand of the Spanish company Damm, gives its name to the tournament and strengthen his ties with sport and golf.

Kostka Horno, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande manager, highlighted the trajectory of the club and the players who are on the list of winners of the tournaments held at the Cadiz club. The impeccable Robert Trent Jones course, the first European design by this famous architect, returns to the forefront of golfing news.

“The Estrella Damm NA Andalucía Masters offers a great opportunity to show our course to the world, a 1964 Robert Trent Jones jewel completely restored in 2015, that many amateurs did not know about. We have a great tradition in amateur competition thanks to the Sotogrande Cup, but it had been 40 years since we had hosted a professional tournament.”

“We are sure that this second edition is going to be a great success like last year and will help us position ourselves among the best courses, as well as boost Sotogrande and San Roque as a golf destination.”

Andalusia has already hosted 66 DP World Tour tournaments, to which should be added events such as the recent Solheim Cup, the Ryder Cup or a good number of other professional tours. In addition, Andalusia is a regular venue for top-level amateur events such as the Sotogrande Cup, also held at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande. It is clear that Andalusia and golf have been going hand in hand for a long time.

“Golf tourism is fundamental in our strategy for its deseasonalization ability. For the first time, we have achieved that the first and third quarters of the year grow more than the second quarter, which corresponds to the summer months,” said Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism and Global Andalusia of the Junta de Andalucía.

“We receive a million players a year who generate an income of 2,000 million euros and provide jobs for some 50,000 people. Golf is an industry in Andalusia and now we are working especially to attract the Z generation, which is the future.”

“Golf is also a model of sustainability and this course is an example. Eighty percent of the 120 Andalusian courses irrigate with reclaimed water and the rest do not because they do not yet have the necessary infrastructure. The golf sector's commitment to the environment is undeniable.”

José María Zamora, tournament director of the DP World Tour, gave a complete overview of the tournament's field and highlighted the importance of its position on the schedule, as it will be vital for those who are fighting to get into the Tour Play-Offs.

“I would like to highlight the enormous contribution to golf that Real Club de Golf Sotogrande has made thanks to the Sotogrande Cup, one of the best amateur tournaments played and won by many players of the DP World Tour.”

“This year we are going to hold a new event of the G4D Tour (Golf for Disabled), the circuit for players with disabilities that shows the most inclusive side of golf.”

José Crespo, president of the Professional Committee of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, stressed the importance of tournaments such as the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters for amateurs, and its value in popularising golf and complementing the initiatives launched by federations such as the Andalusian one.

“From the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation we emphasize the importance of an event like the Estrella Damm NA Andalucía Masters to promote the sport among the youngest and to form junior players.”

“It is impressive how many children play golf in this area and they will have the opportunity to see their idols up close. Junior golf is vital and this tournament is a great boost to our sport.”

Paula Conesa, Third Vice-President of the Diputación de Cádiz, also wanted to remark the importance of initiatives such as the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters in the promotional strategy of the institution she represents.

“This tournament contributes to increase the prestige of our province and to turn it into a reference in the organization of big events”.

“During the next week we are going to be the European capital of golf and that is a very important lever for tourism in the whole province. There is no better marketing campaign.”

Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Mayor of San Roque, then emphasized the character of his municipality and the importance that golf has in its history, marked by the courses that are located in it and by the importance of the tournaments that they host.

“San Roque is an unparalleled golf destination with nine outstanding courses including a municipal course, La Cañada, with a 300 children golf school. In addition, we enjoy 300 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 24 degrees.”

“We have a great deal of experience in hosting major golf tournaments and the important thing is to extend the sporting and tourism impact far beyond the days of competition. The tournament has a potential audience of more than 400 million viewers worldwide.”

“I encourage all fans to come and enjoy not only the golf but also our gastronomic and leisure offer.”

As all the members of the top table made clear, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters has become a powerful sporting, cultural and touristic engine for San Roque, Cádiz and Andalucía, attracting quality tourism and becoming a world reference.

Its location in the schedule, in the decisive stage of the season (in the Back 9 of the DP World Tour), has made it possible to attract a star-studded field that will include the best Spanish players and a good number of international stars.

Among them are Jon Rahm, two-time Major winner and the best Spanish player in the world ranking, Ángel Hidalgo, champion of the Spanish Open recently held in Madrid, Adrián Otaegui, winner of the tournament in 2022, and the international players Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, Matteo Manassero, Niklas Norgaard, Víctor Pérez, Thorbjorn Olesen and Matt Wallace.

Tickets are already available, with discounts for members of the federation (and their families/friends) and free access for children under 13, and can be purchased here.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

The eighth event of the 2024 G4D Tour season will take place at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters from October 14-15, the second net tournament in the Tour’s history.

Competitors will take part in the two-round event at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande before their DP World Tour counterparts compete on the same layout from October 17-20.

The first net tournament took place at the G4D Tour @ Ras Al Khaimah Championship earlier this year as South African Robin Singh claimed his maiden G4D Tour title. The net format has been introduced to the schedule in an effort to further opportunities for golfers with a wider spectrum of disabilities.

Eight men and two women from the Net division of the World Ranking for Golfers with a Disability (WR4GD) will tee it up in Andalucia, with Italian Jose Bagnarelli set to arrive as the highest-ranked player in second.

Joining him in the field are Robin Singh, Australian Steven Alderson, Italians Riccardo Bianciardi and Davide Fasci, New Zealand’s Guy Harrison, Frenchman Mathieu Lebon and Argentinian Joshua Exequiel Riccardo who will become the first South American player to participate in a G4D Tour event. The two female competitors are France’s Alexia Girault and Norway’s Mette Havnaas.

Bagnarelli had a motorcycle accident which led to his plexus brachial, the main nerve of his right arm, being severed with a complete paralysis as a consequence. He is relishing the prospect of teeing it up in Sotogrande next week with his son Bruno alongside him.

“I am so thrilled and proud to have the opportunity to be part of such an amazing event,” he said. “Just the thought of practising next to my favourite Tour champions makes me dizzy.

“Even though I like to think of myself as a citizen of the world, representing my country is always a great honour for me. This time I will bring a special supporter from home as my son Bruno will be caddying for me during the event.”

Bianciardi finished third in the inaugural G4D Net tournament in Ras Al Khaimah in January, and he is delighted to have been given another opportunity on the circuit for golfers with a disability.

“These events encourage us to improve ourselves and to work harder,” he said. “I was thrilled to be invited to the G4D Tour @ Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters and I can't wait to be there.

“Golf is my rebirth where I have found personal growth, learning never to give up and remain patient.”

Havnaas contracted Stevens-Johnson syndrome in 1996, an autoimmune skin reaction typically caused by the body rebelling against a medication, which led to the loss of her sight in both eyes. The Norwegian took up golf after losing her sight and is she now hoping to inspire other visually impaired people to take up the sport.

“I found golf after losing my sight and I love it,” she said. “I started open-minded, I didn’t know what I’d think. But it was a good feeling, and great fun. I would definitely recommend the visually impaired to try golf.

“It is a great sport where you can challenge yourself. It is a social sport where you meet many nice people, and I feel incredibly proud and grateful to participate in the G4D Tour in Spain.”

The winner of the event will earn automatic qualification for the G4D Tour Series Finale, where they will play in a net competition.

Live scoring from the G4D Tour @ Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters will be available on the DP World Tour website, with further coverage across the Tour’s social media channels.

Tickets for the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters are already available, with discounts for members of the federation (and their families/friends) and free access for children under 13, and can be purchased here.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

DP World Tour winners Ángel Hidalgo, Adrián Otaegui, Rasmus Højgaard, Matteo Manassero and Niklas Nørgaard will visit Real Club de Golf Sotogrande to play this year’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters from October 17-20. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.

They will join two-time Major Champion Jon Rahm, Rolex Series winners Victor Perez, Thorbjørn Olesen and Rafa Cabrera Bello and PGA TOUR winner Matt Wallace in the penultimate event of the DP World Tour’s ‘Back 9’ as players hope to secure their spot in the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

Hidalgo recently won the hearts of his nation after holding off three-time champion Rahm in a play-off to win the 2024 acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

The Spaniard will return to the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, a tournament of which he has the fondest memories, having finished solo fourth at Real Club Valderrama in 2022 to secure his DP World Tour card for the following season. This proved to be a major turning point in a career recently boosted by his win at the acciona Open de España.

Otaegui claimed his fifth DP World Tour victory at the Volvo China Open earlier this year after overturning a five-shot deficit thanks to a brilliant final round of 65 to win by one stroke. It was his first victory since the 2022 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters at Real Club Valderrama.

The 31-year-old will fight again for the title in Sotogrande, in which he won the bronze medal at the Teams competition in the European Nations Championship – Sotogrande Cup.

Højgaard claimed his fifth DP World Tour title at the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down last month. The Dane posted a superb closing 65 with four birdies in the last five holes to finish one-shot ahead of World Number Three Rory McIlroy.

The 23-year-old finished fifth at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters in 2022 and he now returns to Spain sitting fourth on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, in a strong position to join twin brother Nicolai on the PGA Tour in 2025.

Manassero made a remarkable career comeback and ended his near 11-year wait for a fifth DP World Tour title with an emotional triumph at the Jonsson Workwear Open in March.

When he lifted the trophy at the 2013 BMW PGA Championship, it seemed impossible to think he would not win on the DP World Tour for another 3,942 days. After a win on the Alps Tour in 2020 served as a boost to his confidence, last season he won twice on the European Challenge Tour to reclaim his DP World Tour card after five years away. His win in South Africa served again as a springboard to the Italian player.

Manassero has a very close relationship with Spain and became the DP World Tour's youngest winner at the age of 17 years and 188 days at the 2010 Castelló Masters Costa Azahar - a record he still holds.

Nørgaard recently won his maiden DP World Tour title at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo after tense finish at The Belfry. The 32-year-old secured the 50th win by a Danish player on the DP World Tour.

Having turned professional in late 2015, he won the order of merit on the Nordic Golf League in 2019 to earn promotion to the Challenge Tour, from which he got a DP World Tour card in 2021.

Nørgaard is enjoying a dream season and he’s currently eighth in the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and fourth in the European Qualification Rankings for the Ryder Cup.

Tickets are already available, with discounts for members of the federation (and their families/friends) and free access for children under 13, and can be purchased here.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.