Andalucia Spain is renowned as one of the finest golf destinations in the world. Millions of golf enthusiasts visit the Costa del Sol to experience the world class venues and temperate climate that Andalusia has to offer. This summer Andalusia also plays host to some of the biggest tournaments on the world golf stage…
Twenty-five million dollars was up for grabs at the LIV Valderrama event, while Solheim Cup glory awaits either Team Europe or Team USA at Finca Cortesin. Sotogrande Real will thrill the DP World tour players for the first time and a new Queen of the Costa del Sol will be crowned on the Ladies European Tour at Villa Padierna Alferini course.
The Costa del Sol may boast a packed summer schedule, but the golfing action on the coast doesn’t end there. Starting in November a little known Winter Training Series starts and the Elite amateurs and Professional golfers from across Europe come to Southern Spain to hone their skills in the pursuit of summer golfing glory, and Irish players are no exception.
Galway’s Ronan Mullarney picked up multiple victories in Spain before breaking through on the Alps Tour earlier this year for a maiden ‘W’ on the satellite circuit. And it’s not just fledgling pros. Tour pros fighting to regain status on tour go head-to-head with elite amateur golfers, vying for World Amateur Golf Ranking and European ranking points. Along with professionals from across the world, National teams from the northern reaches of Europe and far further, make Andalucia their home for the winter and the Toro Tour is where they come to compete.
The Toro Tour was started in the wake of the corona lockdown by Professional Caddie Calum McGregor and his partner, to give elite golfers an opportunity to come out of isolation and to compete in a safe and highly competitive environment. The fresh blue skies, temperate climate and sunshine along with the healthy Spanish lifestyle was a perfect and welcome reintroduction after the highly stressful and mentally draining lockdown days.
In the opening season, the Toro Tour hosted over twenty events, attracting upwards of one hundred players in some tournaments. The quality of play on the tour was instantly Tour quality with some events hosting upwards of 15 DP World and LET pro golfers, a number of World ranked top 10 Amateurs, Walker Cup players, European amateur champions and Senior tour winners.
Winter tournament golf is not a new thing for the coast. Before the lockdown, Calum worked for another Winter tour that unfortunately had to shut its doors.
“Players were contacting me and asking if the tour would start again and if not where to go compete,” McGregor says.
“I had the support of the local golf courses and together with a very small team and zero financial assistance, we started our own tour.
“Trust me, it was a labour of love. I know how difficult it is to try keep a tour running with all the expenses. To survive the costs, you need sponsors and not many people are interested in sponsoring a small winter tour. I did it because it’s my passion. I love watching the guys and girls go on to success.
“It’s also cool for me to caddy at events during the summer and have some of our boys and girls in the field. The players on the toro Tour become friends, sometimes like family and following their future success is where I get my pleasure out of running a tour.”
Since its inception, Toro Tour players have gone on to claim many amazing achievements and personnel milestones. After joining the family, players have gone on to become the youngest player in Challenge Tour history to make a cut. (Luis Klein) Youngest player in DP World Tour history to make a cut. (Lev Grinberg) Qualifying for the Open championship, (Ronan Mullarney) winning their first Alps Tour event. (Angel Hidalgo) Multiple players winning their first LET events, (Pia Babnik and Carmen Alonso) and even a player claiming their first victory on the DP World Tour. (Nick Bachem).
“We know we are only a little winter training tour, but our goal has always been to provide our players with the most cost effective, highly competitive Winter training tour around,” says McGregor.
“I tell all the players they didn’t come here for a holiday, this is their jobs if they want to succeed in the world of pro golf. They stay in discounted accommodation that we have negotiated with some hotel partners and thanks to the partnership of understanding golf courses and a very small team, keeping our overheads at a bare minimum, we can offer our players the best value for money winter training in Europe.
“Since we started, not only have our players received masses of WAGR points, but we have also paid out about 150 thousand Euros in prize money in our first 52 events. Over 200,000 people have viewed us on social media and we have had over 100,000 visits to our website. All of this with a small team of Volunteers and zero financial sponsorship or support.
“We are really proud to have created a self-sustaining stand-alone tour, but it would always be nice to grow bigger in the future. We might be the Ryanair of golf tours at the moment, but the proof of our product is in the pudding and we can’t wait to see the toro tour family grow this winter when our new visitors get a taste of the toro Tour.”
The Toro tour kicks off with its first event at their home course and training facility at Atalaya Golf Course and finishes with its season final event taking place at Alferini Villa Padierna in February 2024.
For more information check out the website: www.torotour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torotourgolf
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toro_tour_golf_/?hl=en
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