Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño is looking forward to leading a “Spanish army” at the Madrid Masters next month, which is being played at the Centro Nacional de Golf.
The three-time European Tour winner, who has been involved in the organisation of the tournament, will be joined by a host of Spanish stars including Sergio Garcia, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and José María Olazábal. Fernandez-Castaño expects the event to be a huge success.
“I am convinced the Madrid Masters will be a great event,” he said. “This will be the first time in many years that we have the “Spanish Army” - Sergio García, José María Olazábal, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Álvaro Quirós and Pablo Larrazábal. Unfortunately Seve (Ballesteros) will be the only one missing.
“We have also invited young newcomers Pedro Oriol and Jorge Campillo. It will take place at Centro Nacional de Golf, a golf course where Madrilenians play regularly, which will contribute to make golf more popular.”
The event has switched venues since last year, when it was held at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid and won by South African Charl Schwartzel, and the President of Madrid’s Golf Federation, Ignacio Guerras, said: “We are very happy to welcome the Madrid Masters to Centro Nacional de Golf, the home of all Spanish golfers.
“I would like to thank the sponsors for investing in golf - Turismo Madrid, Caja Madrid and the Madrid Golf Federation – especially in these difficult financial times. We will try our very best to present the course of Centro Nacional in the best conditions. I have no doubts that it will be a good event, having Gonzalo involved in the organisation.
“The event comes at a good time, with golf being added to the Olympics and Spain being a candidate to host The 2018 Ryder Cup. In the Madrid Golf Federation we have been supporting professional golf for many years, but in sponsoring the Madrid Masters we feel we are going a step up and will contribute to the success of Spanish golf.”
Ángeles Alarcó, Executive Vice-president of Turismo Madrid, said: “The Madrid Masters will be a great event and will allow us to enhance Madrid’s position in golf, which is one of our main assets to attract quality tourism. I want to thank Gonzalo and Carlo (Cutropía, General Director Madrid Masters) for making this happen. We are very lucky to have the Madrid Masters at Centro Nacional and we want to prove our city would be the best host for The 2018 Ryder Cup.”
