Volvo's United Nations of Amateur Golf
All season, tens of thousands of amateur golfers all over the world have been living the dream of a place in the 2008 Volvo Masters Amateur, and for the 72 who remain, the prospect of being crowned ‘World Champion' at Valderrama is now within touching difference.
After nine months, over 100,000 rounds of golf and almost 10million golf shots struck across 25 different countries, the 2008 Volvo Masters Amateur reaches a climax in Spain over the first three days of November.
And although the stakes are high, the camaraderie between countries and the companionship of champions is tangible.
From Japan to Argentina, South Africa to South Korea, Canada to China and from all over Europe, the language of golf is the mother tongue, pars and birdies the common currency of the Volvo Masters Amateur World Final.
72 players from all around the world will be on a plane to Spain, arriving in Andalucia on Thursday 30th October with welcome cocktail party and dinner at the 5-star Westin La Quinta Golf Resort.
The following day, it is down to business with the official practice round over the world-famous La Quinta course designed by Spanish legend Manuel Piñero, who will also conduct a special Volvo Masters Amateur Golf Clinic for the players.
Says Sofie Van Reusel, Project Manager for the Volvo Masters Amateur, "The Volvo Masters Amateur in general and the World Final in particular is all about quality, the warmth of the welcome, the world-class hospitality and providing the players - the stars of the show - with the opportunity to perform on the world stage with an insight into how the top professionals prepare and perform."
The action gets underway in earnest at La Quinta on Saturday 1st November with 18 challenging holes of championship golf over the 5,728m Par-71 San Pedro / Guadaiza course combination.
Sunday 2nd November offers a break from the stresses and strains of tournament golf as the Volvo Masters Amateur World Final players are VIP guests at Valderrama on the concluding day of the 21st and final Volvo Masters.
But there is another angle to the Valderrama visit, a course reconnaissance, as, for the first time, the second and final round of the Volvo Masters Amateur World Final will be staged over the world-famous Club de Golf Valderrama course, exactly as it was played by the stars of the European Tour just a few hours earlier.
"Monday 3rd November will be the golfing experience of a lifetime," says Tournament Director Derwynne Honan, himself an ex-European Tour professional, adding, "Valderrama is one of the world's truly great tests of golf and it will be in the most beautiful, and challenging condition, especially with the Volvo Masters pin positions."
Adds Sofie Van Reusel, "Following in the footsteps of the Volvo Masters champion a matter of hours after he has been crowned is one of the most unique and memorable sporting experiences possible, when you consider it is just not possible to play on Wimbledon's Centre Court the day after Raphael Nadal's Men's Singles triumph or to play football at the Camp Nou or Estadio Bernabéu following the final whistle at a Champion's League match."
Following the round-of-a-lifetime, lunch in the Volvo Masters Hospitality Suite at Valderrama sees the stars of the 2008 Volvo Masters Amateur World Final return to the Westin La Quinta and the Official Prize-Giving Dinner.
One player out of over 70,000, an enthusiastic amateur like the vast majority of golfers will be on top of the world, a star returning home as a hero or heroine, their national flag flying proudly above the scene of their personal and sporting triumph.
But, in the Volvo Masters Amateur, everyone is a winner and five days of five-star treatment will send each and every player home with a Spanish spring in their step.
For more information:
Volvo Event Management
Sofie Van Reusel - Project Manager Volvo Masters Amateur
Telephone: +32 2 482 56 86
E-mail: sofie.van.reusel@volvo.com
Volvo Car Corporation
Johan Bexell- Director Sponsorship
Telephone: +46-31-596955
E-mail: jbexell@volvocars.com
Website: http://www.volvomastersamateur.com/
