The tournament is being financially supported and promoted by the European Tour Group as a part of their joint venture with the Legends Tour, while JGolf, the long-term promoters of two European Challenge Tour events, will be staging the tournament in Andalucía.
Golf Almerimar is a 27-hole golf resort designed by nine-time Major winner Gary Player and opens its doors for the first time to an international tournament by hosting the European Legends Cup, a tournament that will bring together 60 Legends Tour players on the Almeria coast.
José María Olazábal
2012 Ryder Cup captain and winner of the Masters in 1994 and 1999, Olazábal has already confirmed his participation in the European Legends Cup and is excited to tee it up in his home country: “I am really happy to have another tournament in Spain, just like in the old days. Everybody used to be delighted to visit Spain eight or ten times per year and enjoy the climate, courses and gastronomy.
“I’m really looking forward to playing the course, I’ve been hearing great things about it for years and I’m sure Gary Player did a great job in the design. We will see a great level of players in Almerimar, and I hope to be at my best for the occasion.”
Legends Tour CEO, Phil Harrison
Phil Harrison, CEO of the Legends Tour, said: “We are proud to have another event on Spanish soil and to add such an iconic name as José’s to the field in his homeland. It has been a pleasure to work with and have the support of the European Tour Group to put on this tournament. JGolf have great experience in staging tournaments and we are excited to have what promises to be a fantastic event on a great golf course.”
Keith Waters, Chief Operations Officer of the European Tour Group, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Legends Tour in the formation of the European Legends Cup as we look to increase playing opportunities for Legends Tour members.
“The European Tour Group continues to work closely with Ryan Howsam and the Legends Tour team as part of our joint venture, already supporting a successful return to Greece for the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy earlier this year, and we are looking forward to visiting the wonderful Golf Almerimar in September.
“Our thanks must also go to JGolf, who we have worked closely with on a several events for a number of years, for providing their expertise and delivering the European Legends Cup on the ground in Almeria.”
Luis Escorial Ayuso, President of Golf Almerimar, said: “We are very happy with the celebration of this tournament, it is the first time we will organise a competition at this level and the whole team is working hard to present the course and the facilities to the standard these players deserve. We have been waiting a long time for the occasion to welcome elite golfers and, finally, it has arrived.”
Golf Almerimar
The 27-hole resort weaves around lakes and palm trees with wide fairway yet demanding greens, providing a test of accuracy.
It is positioned within one of the most outstanding resorts in Andalucía, with the five-star Hotel Golf Almerimar and the four-star Hotel AR Almerimar, along with a marina with capacity for 1,100 boats up to 60 metres in length.
The Punta Entinas Natural Park is only 5 km away, the Cabo de Gata Natural Park is less than an hour away and with more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and an average annual temperature that does not drop below 20ºC, Golf Almerimar ideal for playing golf all year round.
Spanish reaction
Watch below as Carlos Balmaseda gives us his reaction to the announcement of the European Legends Cup at Golf Almerimar.
