More than 100 golfers, mostly from the Spanish community and a few Atalaya members, gathered on the championship Old Course at Atalaya Golf & Country Club on Sunday morning, the 20th of December. The event was an 18-hole, pairs scramble organised by Jesús Rodriguez. The reason was for area golf lovers to come together in solidarity to help insure a better Christmas for Marbella residents in need.
Rodriguez has been an active member of the Marbella golf scene for more than 20 years, and Sunday’s tournament is just one of many that he has organised. Sunday’s tournament, however, was especially important to Rodriguez. For him this year is different than normal. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, people have greater needs than usual, and the necessity for community outreach is greater. Consequently, Rodriguez took it upon himself to organise this special tournament, so that people could contribute food and at the same time enjoy a wonderful day at Atalaya while playing the game they love.
The weather cooperated perfectly, offering a sunny December Costa del Sol day. The early morning chill quickly faded to welcome warm sun and little wind. The course met all expectations, too. “The conditions of the course are perfect,” Rodriguez said. “They always are here at Atalaya.”
Helping Rodriguez with the difficult task of insuring the proper distribution and delivery of all the foodstuffs that are being collected is Hermandad Nuestro Padre Jesus Cautivo, Maria Santisima de la Encarnacion, Santa Marta, San Lazaro y Maria de Marbella. Much time and effort will be put into this project during the next few days.
Although the normal after tournament celebration was not held as a result of current social distancing protocols, prizes for the winning pairs were many. They included Christmas baskets, “paletillas” of “jamón serrano”, Bridgestone golf balls, FootJoy tee shirts, green fees for two rounds on Atalaya’s Old Course, as well as at Santa Clara, El Paraíso, Chaparral and Footgolf. The winning scratch team received Christmas baskets and greenfees at Santana Golf in Mijas. And all of this thanks to the generosity of Schmidt, Estepona (https://www.home-design.schmidt/es-es).
In the end a great day was had by all.
