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As they approached the 11th hole, it was clear that they were two of the greatest players of all time.
The one who helped to design the course gave the few lucky viewers a masterclass on how to escape an underground bunker.
It was the dream team of Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jimenez who were paired up with a lucky amateur at the Staysure Legends Tournament at Aloha in Marbella.
Jimenez was the local boy, born and raised in Malaga, who smoked his trademark cigars during the entire race.
He is a giant of the game. A two-time Ryder Cup winner with 21 European Tour victories, he has a lot to offer.
Montgomerie was a Scotsman who, along with his trademark girth, jollity and his long membership in the World Golf Hall of Fame, has 31 European titles under his belt, the most of any British player.
The first day of the tournament was a sunny Friday. The two were enjoying themselves, exchanging banter with each other and chatting up the fans.
I caught up with the two about half-way up the 11th hole. Monty dropped his ball in a narrow, nasty sandpit, 15 metres away from the pin.
A member who was walking up behind me said, “Looks nasty.”
But Monty is made from sterner material (he famously won the Ryder Cup in 1997 by slapping the Americans on the last hole in Valderrama).
Jimenez had a chip that was within one metre of his pin. After he saw this, he scooped the ball up and dropped it about a foot away.
It was one of the most impressive shots I have ever seen. His Spanish opponent also scored a par.
The two continued to battle it out for the remainder of the round.
It was a British professional Simon Griffiths who won the tournament this time, not the two true legends.
Griffiths has had a difficult time as a professional, but he won his only second win, coincidentally both in Spain.
The Brit was living the dream, as he entered the final round with a two stroke lead. He managed to hold on against a string of Major Winners and Ryder Cup captains.
Griffiths was a brave man to hold his nerve when most people predicted Jimenez and Monty to win.
He had never played in the Tour and was still working as a club caddie in Blighty. So he really needed to concentrate and he scored five birdies including one on the 18th hole in front of the packed Clubhouse La Sala stand.
He ended up with a score of 68 and 17 below par, which left Jimenez and Monty in fourth place and just below Monty, while Scott Hend was second on 13 under.
“I am absolutely delighted,” he said to the crowd, standing on the podium. “I had a birdie to start, Monty began making birdies, so I knew I would have to hold on. I looked at the leaders as I knew Hend’s performance was good, but that birdie on 15th was a big relief. I don’t know what it is about Spain but it is clear that I am good at it, I feel good, I like it… it is very special for me.”
Scott Hend signed the best round of the tournament with ten birdies in a 64-stroke round.
Jimenez, a designer who worked on some of Aloha’s greens, was quick in his praise for Griffith
It was a great week. The course was in excellent condition. The public, the people and the tournament were all very positive.
Ryan Howsam of Staysure, the Legends Tour and Staysure, who played on the course, told The Olive Press that it was “amazing” to play here at such a beautiful place. I love going to Marbella.”
Lisandro Vieytes, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Sports of Marbella Town Hall presented the awards to the winners, accompanied by Rafael Fontán, President of Aloha Golf Club, Pablo Mansilla, President of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, Gonzaga Escauriaza, Honorary President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, Miguel Ángel Guerrero, Golf Director of Turismo Costa del Sol and Javier Gervás, General Manager of JGolf.
Staysure Marbella Legends, sponsored by Staysure Marbella, Marbella City Hall, the Legends Tour and Turismo Costa del Sol. Also, Aloha Golf & Royal Andalusian Golf Federation. Titleist Bodegas, Maximiliano jabugo & Licor del Medit.
