The grounds crew of Real Club Valderrama, site of this eighth Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters, stands out for the experience accumulated in 28 DP World Tour events, including the 1997 Ryder Cup, and for a unique female quartet in the golf industry formed by Maria Dolores, Estefania, Maria, and Nancy.

As the four women of the team of almost 30 people led by Adolfo Ramos explained, they are in charge of "cutting fairways, fumigating, cutting some greens, drying the course with blowers, trimming the tee boxes, cleaning troughs, cutting hedges", practically all the maintenance work of a golf course.

"Learning day by day everything to do in a course with this level of demand is already a lot," said Estefania, from El Tesorillo (Cádiz), who switched nursing for gardening. "It's a privilege to work outdoors on a golf course, although I don't play it because I really hate losing."

In 2007, she followed the example of Maria, with 25 years of experience, and Maria Dolores, the oldest of the group, who joined Valderrama in 1988 to "pull the weeds that men could not remove", since it was a more delicate and detailed work.

"I enjoy what I do, the type of work, the camaraderie, being outdoors. It is great to see more women joining us and the fantastic relationships we have created," said Maria Dolores, who has been working on the course for three years after three decades preparing food for the team.

Maria Dolores, Maria, and Estefania have embraced newcomer Nancy, originally from Ecuador, who joined the staff six months ago. "Here I do everything, I'm learning to cut fairways and prepare bunkers," said Nancy, before explaining the methodical raking of the close to one hundred sand traps in Valderrama.

Adolfo Ramos, Valderrama's Head Greenkeeper since 2010, after a period in the United States and the United Kingdom, does not know of any other grounds crew with four women.  He still remembers when he started an internship in Valderrama two decades ago, and Maria Dolores and Maria taught him how to cut.

"At the end of the day, women are part of the team, neither better nor worse, they are just one more of us," said Adolfo and seconded Kelly, an agronomist of Brazilian descent working at nearby Atalaya Golf Country Club. "I like to learn the process, the technique, it has been very interesting," said Kelly, volunteering as the fifth woman on the team for this week.

And as they explain themselves, after several decades of experience, the women in the Real Club Valderrama grounds crew have gone through more competitions and "made more cuts" than many of the players in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.

Enjoying this DP World Tour event is easy, since individual day tickets, weekend passes or season tickets are available at experiences.dpworldtour.com/edam or at Real Club Valderrama's box office (credit or debit card payment required).

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 Valderrama, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

Angel Hidalgo shares the lead at the halfway stage of the 2022 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters after posting a sparkling second-round 63.

The 24-year-old home favourite produced a putting masterclass at Real Club Valderrama, holing a series of lengthy birdie efforts and pulling off some impressive par saves as he made eight gains and no bogeys to sit alongside Australian Min Woo Lee and fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui on nine under par.

Starting from the tenth tee on Friday morning, Hidalgo opened his birdie account from long range at the 11th before closing his front nine with a hat-trick of gains on the 16th, 17th and 18th.

Roared on by the crowd, the Spaniard then reeled off four straight birdies from the third hole before getting up and down for valuable pars at the seventh and ninth to keep his card clean.

First-round co-leader Lee joined Hidalgo at the summit in the afternoon thanks to a 67 which featured a magnificent eagle, three birdies and a single bogey. Two-time DP World Tour winner Lee battled hard on the back nine, parring the final seven holes courtesy of some excellent recovery shots.

Spain's Otaegui made it a three-way tie late in the day, notching six birdies and one bogey in his 66.

The leading trio were three shots clear of Swede Joakim Lagergren, with Scot Robert MacIntyre and Spain's Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez another shot back on five under. The 2020 winner John Catlin of the United States is then amongst a group of four players at four under par. 

Player Quotes 

Angel Hidalgo: I started the day hitting it so badly on the range, but I just tried to put the ball in the fairway on the first few holes and started to take some confidence. I made every putt today and that was the key.
 
The up and down on the seventh was easier than the one on the ninth, because I just had to touch the ball to roll it. On nine there was more pressure because I knew if I made par, I would be bogey free. When I saw the ball rolling, I thought it was 100% in. An amazing up and down.
 
The support was amazing. It’s the first time I’ve played with so many people following me. I was a bit nervous at times, but it was great feeling. A 63 is a dream score and I’m so happy.

Min Woo Lee: It was a bit of a grind at the end. I made a lot of up and downs, it wasn’t easy. The greens got a little bumpy and the wind switched around. I played really good – front nine was solid, made a nice eagle on four, which was probably the highlight of the day. A lot of up and downs on the back nine.
 
It’s another two days of hopefully the same thing. Hit it OK off the tee and same for approach play, and the wedges and short game have been amazing. Hopefully if that stays up, I can keep going.
 
On four I had a nice drive, three iron, landed up top and it went to two and a half feet for eagle. Just tapped that in. The chip in on ten, hit it just over the back. It’s funny, that was the worst lie of all of them and I ended up chipping it in.
 
Eight and nine I lipped out a bunker shot and chip shot, so I knew I was getting close to chipping in. I like to say to my caddie and friends that I have one chip in per round.
 
Joakim Lagergren: I’ve been playing well. Missed a couple of tee shots here and there, some wedge shots that need to be a bit closer to the pin, but other than that, holing some putts and hitting some good shots so happy with the two days work.
 
It was very close to a bogey-free round. That would be really impressive around here. But I’ve been playing well with not too many mistakes.
 
I’ve played here five or six years in a row so I’m learning it more year by year. Also spending a lot of time here during spring and fall, not just at Valderrama, but in the area, so I can take the chance to go out and play some when I can. I would say at first I didn’t love the place, but I do now.
 
Great position but just need to play good golf to catch the leaders at three ahead, so full throttle.
 
Robert MacIntyre: Yeah, it was solid. I just made a few mistakes late on there when I was trying to be too fancy and trying to create too much out of a shot rather than just sticking to the numbers’ game. But, as I said yesterday, under par around here is good and the way I was playing one-under probably isn’t a fair reflection but I’ll take it.
 
It’s not (a place where you can be aggressive), not at all. I feel I’ve got a lot of chances out there the way I play. Just now I’m driving it well and my iron play is the best it’s been in a long, long time.
 
I’ve not played anything different today than yesterday. It’s a golf course you can’t overpower - you just can’t hit a driver everywhere. You’ve got to plot your way round from A to B. It’s awkward, it’s difficult. It’s Valderrama - it doesn’t let up from the first tee shot to the last.

Enjoying this DP World Tour event is easy, since individual day tickets, weekend passes or season tickets are available at experiences.dpworldtour.com/edam or at Real Club Valderrama's box office (credit or debit card payment required).

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 Valderrama, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

Solidarity, awareness and action have been the key words for the large group of volunteers in response to the initiative promoted by the DP World Tour during the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters. The event took place on the morning of the 12th October with the support of the San Roque Town Hall.

This was the second edition of the clean-up, led once again by Álvaro Quirós. The local star, together with Portuguese fellow professional Ricardo Santos, set the example of their love for nature and their environmental awareness.

Over 80 volunteers gathered on this beautiful spot of the Cádiz coast, including 25 youngsters who worked enthusiastically, proving that youth and commitment can go together. They all joined forces with Quirós and Santos side by side with the DP World Tour squad deployed in the area. In addition, two local representatives were attracted by the event: Juan Serván, Deputy Mayor and Delegate for the Environment of San Roque, and Óscar Ledesma, Deputy Mayor of the Valle del Guadiaro area, who praised the initiative and all the participants.

Álvaro Quirós went to the Torreguadiaro beach with his family and made it clear that he carries his homeland in his heart and wants to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters to call for more environmental awareness.

“I’m delighted to take part in this initiative. This is the beach where I grew up and where I now come with my kids, so this action has a little extra purpose because it’s so special to me,” explained the seven-time DP World Tour winner.

“Luckily, I’m not the only one; lots of people came today and it’s good to see that people care. A small gesture can make a big difference. Just one hour a year, as is unfortunately my case, costs nothing and can help a lot, although I must admit that the beach was pretty clean.”  

For yet another year, this initiative was a part of the DP World Tour Green Drive programme, created to promote social and environmental responsibility and to generate a positive impact on every tournament on the tour schedule.

The volunteers were rewarded for their efforts with Saturday or Sunday passes for the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters at Real Club Valderrama, the best course in Spain according to the most reputable publications.

Enjoying this DP World Tour event is easy and you can acquire individual day tickets, weekend passes or season tickets at experiences.dpworldtour.com/edam or at Real Club Valderrama box office (credit or debit card payment required).

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 Valderrama, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

Spanish DP World Tour professionals Ángel Hidalgo and Jorge Campillo shared first-hand knowledge with a group of students from La Cañada Golf School, one of the leading Andalusian hotbeds of Spanish golf. The clinic was held within the framework of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters on the superb practice facilities of Real Club Valderrama. As promoter of this initiative, the Diputación de Cádiz was represented by its President, as well as Mayor of San Roque, Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix.

Both Ángel, second-round leader of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, and two-time DP World Tour winner Jorge Campillo marvelled at the skill and talent of their young pupils.

Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, joined by Ángel Gabino, Councillor for Sports, Ana Ruiz, Councillor for Tourism, and María Collado, Councillor for Events, took the opportunity to encourage the students of La Cañada to keep up the game, while he praised the efforts of the municipal school in bringing golf to the children and youngsters of the area and forging the character and competitive spirit of players who might eventually perform alongside their current idols. 

He also reminded them of the feat achieved at this same course 25 years ago, when the European Ryder Cup team led by Seve Ballesteros won the first edition ever played on Spanish soil. He added that Real Club Valderrama has established its status as one of the great international golf courses while showcasing the image of San Roque and its area to the world.

“Events such as the Estrella Damm NA Andalucía Masters highlight the quality of the sports facilities in our region, as well as its capacity to host top-tier events offering the best services and attention to our visitors,” he emphasized.

He also pointed out that promoting Cádiz as a prime destination for golf tourism is one of the objectives of the Diputación’s Tourism Board, and that, through the cooperation of public and private entities, the region has become an international reference point for golf.

In conclusion, he thanked the organisers, the DP World Tour and the Real Club Valderrama for their longstanding commitment to the region and wished best of luck to all the participants while encouraging them to visit the area.

Todos aquellos que quieran disfrutar del torneo tienen la posibilidad de adquirir entradas en edamgolf.es, con tarifas preferentes para federados y acceso gratuito para menores de 13 años. También es posible comprar dichas entradas en las taquillas del campo, con pago exclusivo con tarjeta de crédito o débito.

El Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, torneo del DP World Tour valedero para la Race to Dubai que se celebra gracias a la imprescindible colaboración del Real Club Valderrama, está patrocinado por Estrella Damm y la Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, además de estar cofinanciado con fondos europeos y haber sido declarado acontecimiento de excepcional interés público por el Gobierno de España.