RSG/81
AND THE WORLD’S EYES TURNED TO SOTOGRANDE One of the most notable chapters in the history of golf in Spain took place in Sotogrande. The 1997 Ryder Cup, held at Valderrama, is legendary. For a few days the whole world rested its gaze on Sotogrande to watch the European team captained by Severiano Ballesteros claim victory. The Sotogrande Magazine remembers, through some historic images, one of the resort’s most brilliant episodes.
I
t would not be possible to look back on snapshots of those epic days in 1997 were it not for the word of Jaime Ortiz Patiño. He wanted a Ryder Cup at Valderrama and put all his effort into making it happen and, then, to make it unbeatable. In 1994 the Ryder Cup Committee selected Valderrama Golf Club as the venue for the 1997 competition. It was the first time in 67 years that this biennial championship played between the United States and Europe had left the British Isles to be played on another stage
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LA REVISTA DE SOTOGRANDE /RYDER CUP '97
in the old continent. As fate would have that September would be remembered not just as the month when Spain hosted the biggest tournament on the planet, with Europe winning the title under the captaincy of a Spaniard, Seve Ballesteros, and with two Spanish players in the team: Olazábal and Garrido. That autumn of 97 was also the month when Valderrama took up a privileged position in the Olympus of golf courses. It was the rainiest of Ryder Cups, the 32nd, in which the Americans, led by a young Tiger Woods, were confident that they would win,
but came up against a European team made up of twelve players of six nationalities, who desire to make history was such that, in the end, they lifted the cup. An unexpected and glorious victory that kept the world on the edge of its seat until the final hole. A heartstopping 14.5 to 13.5 win that was decided in the final match through an unforgettable half point claimed by Colin Montgomerie. A unique feat watched by six hundred million spectators. Great days that make this part of the South the golfing paradise that it is today.n