The presentation of the second edition of the European Legends Cup by José María Olazábal could not have had a better setting, the City Hall of Donostia/San Sebastián, to bring together the institutions that make it possible for the Legends Tour to come to Euskadi for the first time in history. In the afternoon, more than 200 children attended a clinic at Basozábal conducted by Olazábal, Luna, Quirós, and Balmaseda.
The importance of holding this tournament, part of the Legends Tour, which is being held in Euskadi for the first time, was highlighted; presented by Javier Gervás, general director of the tournament organizing company, JGolf, he introduced the main institutions that make the event possible.
Iñigo Manso, President of the Real Nuevo Club de Golf de San Sebastián, Basozábal, opened by stating that “it is an honour and a pride for us to host the second edition of the European Legends Cup, especially when it is sponsored by José María Olazábal, designer of our course, honorary member, and the greatest golfing reference for all golf enthusiasts in Gipuzkoa. We hope that many people will come and enjoy it a lot, both the fans and those who are not yet, remembering that entry is free.”
Javier Saiz, President of the Basque Federation, especially thanked the Legends Tour and the institutions for “remembering the Basque Country to hold the tournament here, to Basozábal for presenting the course in impressive conditions that when you thought they couldn’t improve more, they do, and to express to Chema how proud we are of him and thank him for all the effort he makes for our sport.”
Phil Harrison, CEO of the Legends Tour, expressed his admiration for San Sebastián and its surroundings: “an absolutely impressive city, I know that everyone, players and team, will enjoy this week a lot, not only on the golf course but in the city, everything is first class. Thanks to all the sponsors who make it possible for us to be here and a very special thanks to Olazábal, for welcoming us to your home, to your course, and so shortly before you go to the Ryder Cup where we will all be supporting you.”
It was the host’s turn, a José María Olazábal who, moved by the words of affection he has received at all times, assured that “for me, it is an honour and a privilege to have a tournament of this calibre in our land, which I love very much. Thanks to each of the institutions because without them it would not be possible for the Legends, a circuit I love so much, to come, because it really is the tool where those of us who have dedicated ourselves to this still have an option to play. I celebrate 40 years as a professional and getting the Legends Tour to come to my home is already a victory for me.”
“I especially want to thank all the workers at Basozábal, they have done an extraordinary job to present the course in wonderful conditions and I think both the players and the people who want to come to see the tournament will have a great time. Anyone who wants to see high-level golf, I encourage them to come. We all know the charm of Donosti/San Sebastián, I have already spoken with several players, they have started to taste the charm of our identity, food, drink, walks they are taking around the city, I think it will be a wonderful tournament and they will take away a great memory.”
Roberto Ramajo, General Director of Sports of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa: “It is very emotional to be part of Chema Olazábal receiving the well-deserved recognition for his 40-year history. I have been lucky to talk to him as a player and a few days ago I was lucky to know his facet as a coach; I could see how he deals with the future promises of golf, who are in his academy fighting what he fought in his life, and if as a player and as a person he deserves all kinds of recognition, as a coach even more, the care with which he treats, the demand. He is a reference in the world of Gipuzkoan, Basque, Spanish golf, he is a reference in sport, if we talk about great athletes Olazábal is one of them. So thanks to the Legends Tour for thinking of Gipuzkoa to have a tournament of these characteristics. It has been 40 years, Chema, but it is never too late if the fortune is good to have an international tournament on your golf course. I encourage people to come to Basozábal, to enjoy Chema Olazábal, see how he plays, but also to enjoy top-level golf because then Chema goes to the Ryder but many of those who have been in the Ryder will be here.”
Daniel Solana, General Director of Basquetour, focused on the importance of golf tourism, “in Spain, it is a consolidated tourism engine, the economic impact it generates is fundamental in our country and contributes to one of Basquetour’s main objectives, de-seasonalization. The European Legends Cup is a great opportunity to project what it means internationally, to have these great athletes and experience the fantastic experiences that take place here.”
The presentation was closed by Iñaki Gabarain, Councillor for Sports and Healthy Living of the City Hall of Donostia / San Sebastián assuring that “San Sebastián hosting the European Legends Cup in the year that José María Olazábal celebrates 40 years as a professional is much more than a coincidence: it is a recognition of his legacy and the bond he maintains with this city. From Donostia Kirola we are committed to high-performance sport and to bringing top-level competitions that place Donostia on the international map. This tournament brings together historical figures of world golf and turns Basozábal into a unique setting to enjoy talent, emotion, and sporting excellence.”
Afterwards, players and representatives of the institutions went to the Real Nuevo Club de San Sebastián, Basozábal, to enjoy the clinic that Olazábal, Santi Luna, Juan Quirós, and Carlos Balmaseda conducted for more than 200 children from different golf courses in Euskadi who came to enjoy, learn and live closer to their idols, especially the Donostian, whom they admire and is a reference in their golf.
Tomorrow, Thursday, the inaugural ProAm of the European Legends Cup by José María Olazábal will be held, which will take place from Friday to Sunday, at the Real Nuevo Club de San Sebastián, Basozábal, and is supported by the Legends Tour, European Tour Group and Staysure, Basquetour (Basque Tourism Agency), the City Hall of Donostia/San Sebastián, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the Basque Golf Federation, as well as Cuatrecasas, Reale/Galpe, Viñas Familia Gil, Maximiliano Jabugo, Joyería Olazábal, Cadena Cope Gipuzkoa, Mahou-Solán, TOA Shoes and Titleist under the organization of JGolf.
