Andalucia Masters at Valderrama cancelled

The European Tour has announced the cancellation of the 2012 Andalucia Masters, scheduled to take place between October 18-21 at Valderrama

The European Tour has announced that the 2012 Andalucia Masters, due to be played from October 18-21 at the world-renowned Club de Golf Valderrama, will be cancelled.

The Junta de Andalucia confirmed the decision - though to have been brought about by a mixture of economic and political factors - by letter and press release on Monday September 10.

Despite discussions with the Royal Spanish Golf Federation and a pre-existing legal agreement with the Junta, the tournament will not take place.

George O'Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: "This is extremely disappointing news to receive, especially at such a late date. We have been long-term partners with the Junta for over 25 years.

"In that time we have seen, together with many other events, the Volvo Masters from 1988-2008, two American Express World Golf Championships and the Jewel in the Crown, the 1997 Ryder Cup.

"We have worked together to promote the region, and the Junta de Andalucia and the European Tour have enjoyed an exceptionally strong and committed long-term partnership.

"We feel the disappointment, not only for our members and all committed to broadcasting and reporting this tournament and the region on a global scale, but also for the many visitors, especially from Northern Europe, who coincide their vacations with the tournament.

"We will work with the Junta to rectify this situation, both now and in the future."

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x