The institutions involved in the Andalucía Challenge of Cádiz have met today at the Iberostar Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri to value the sporting, touristic and economic impact of the third edition of this Challenge Tour event.
This has been assured by Mr. José María Román, Mayor of Chiclana de la Frontera, said: "This is an important sporting and tourist event that comes with force at a key moment for the promotion of the area, and is the perfect showcase for everything we have been doing to continue attracting tourism and economy in a sporting framework without equal.
After the difficult times we have lived, we are recovering energy with this type of events together with the Diputación de Cádiz. We continue to grow, because they are the showcase with which people are amazed and become new ambassadors and disseminators of the province".
Rafael Hernández Alcalá, on behalf of the IBEROSTAR Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri highlighted the effort of the maintenance team that "have been working for half a year to get the tourist destination of Chiclana to be seen through television all over the world. After four years of hard work, we are already institutionalized in the Challenge Tour calendar.
The President of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, Pablo Mansilla, also commented on behalf of the RFEG on the strong Spanish presence in the Andalucía Challenge de Cádiz: "There are 27 Spaniards of the highest level, of which 9 belong to the ProSpain Team. When I am asked when golf is going to be like other sports, I say I hope never, because it is the only one that has two sides, sports and tourism, and there are very few sports that attract as much tourism as golf; it is impossible to find a sport that generates so much wealth. This week we have great players in the tournament that, without a doubt, will make us enjoy this great course and that will have great international repercussion".
Jamie Hodges, Head of Challenge Tour, said: "The television show of the tournament will reach more than 300 million homes in 180 countries where you can enjoy the best moments of the tournament, and will be a major tourist attraction for spectators and golf fans.
Andalusia has a great tradition not only in the Challenge Tour, but also in the DP World Tour; players love to return to this area where they feel at home. The Challenge Tour is in a great moment, growing year by year, and it is proven that every year better players come out. This year the participation of young and veteran players in the Andalucía Challenge de Cádiz is impressive, with several winners on both the DP World Tour and the Challenge Tour taking part".
The Ilmo. Mr. Jaime Armario, Deputy of the Cadiz Provincial Council, said: "Four years ago we started to promote the wonderful golf courses in our province and, after overcoming complicated moments, we were brave and we have managed to consolidate Cadiz and the Challenge. The lack of seasonality is our workhorse, and through the Challenge Tour we have managed to break it, since everyone who comes to enjoy golf doubles or triples in investment than those who come for other sporting events. That is why we maintain our commitment to this sport of golf, so enriching for our province".
Mr. Jorge Vázquez Calderón, Territorial Delegate of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía in Cádiz, closed the ceremony by saying: "The Andalucía Challenge of Cádiz is another step in the direction to turn Cádiz into the capital of golf. We have a climate that more would like in Europe, and that is only one of our great attractions. It is clear that the Challenge Tour has welcomed Cadiz as its home, and let's hope it continues to be so.
The Andalucía Challenge de Cádiz will begin on Thursday June 8, where 156 players will fight for the Andalusian title.