The traditional Copa Andalucía, one of the most prestigious amateur competitions in Spain, was held from Sunday 9th to Wednesday 12th of January, 2022. It scored for the R&A’s World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), and the Club de Golf Barcelona had three young players there: Alejandro de Castro, Valeria Biargeand Daniela Campillo.
The Copa Andalucía 2022, of four rounds, held the men’s event at the Old Course of Atalaya Golf & Country Club and the women’s event at El Paraíso Golf Club, both courses in Malaga. The best national amateur golfers of the moment were there, at the starting point of the exciting new season.
In the Ladies category, our two heroines passed the cut easily, and achieved very good results. Valeria Biargefinished in 15th position with 288 shots (+4), 19 shots behind the winner, Rocío Tejedo (-15). This has undoubtedly been one of the best tournaments that Valeria has played in. She was very sure during the first three days with 71, 70 and 72, at par level, which kept her with options to enter the Top-10. In those three rounds, she balanced her 9 bogeys and one double bogey with 11 good birdies. Although the fourth and final round started less tuned, with 5 bogeys and a birdie up to the 11th, she then left the course with good spirit with seven pars in a row until the end of the competition (75).
“I have finished in a very good position. It was a pity that the last day it didn’t go so well for me. But I have learned a lot in this championship, especially to cope with pressure when I have a good result. I have fought a lot,” said Valeria.
As for Daniela Campillo, she once again demonstrated the good competitor that she is, very focused from the first round on, where she sealed the par by counteracting the initial three bogeys with birdies at 5, 15 and 16 holes in the final section. In the second round she wanted to attack and had to compensate five bogeys, with two birdies on 6 and 15, and especially the eagle on 16. Her third was her weakest round, with three birdies, six bogeys and a double bogey (76), although she managed to pass the cut to play on Wednesday. Then she picked up again, holding firm with two birdies, four bogeys, and six consecutive pars from 13 to 18, to finish with 73. With a total of 292 shots (+8), Daniela finished classified in a good 21st place.
“It was a good start to the season. After a two-month break without competing, I had my doubts. Now it is clear to me that we are on the right track and I know on which areas of my game I must focus to improve”, said Daniela.
Finally, Alejandro de Castro started with very good vibes on Sunday, with a birdie at 1 and 3. Although from then on he had to fight against the persecuting shadow of the bogey, adding seven to deliver a 77 scorecard. Something similar happened to him in the second round, with a single birdie and 79 shots. He finally managed to bring out the great game he has inside in the third round, where he signed two magnificent eagles, at 8 and 11, plus a birdie at 10, to finish with a great 72, and 228 shots. It was a shame that he didn’t pass the cut by just one shot, although at least he left the course feeling good. Congratulations to the champion, Samuel Espinosa, with -8.
A good start to tone up for the WAGRs. Congratulations!
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