Carmen alonso - EL ÉXITO ES UN VIAJE… NO UN DESTINO

¿Quién soy?

Nací en Valladolid, en el seno de una familia trabajadora. Soy la pequeña de cinco hermanos e hija de unos padres que lo dieron todo por nosotros. Mi mayor referente siempre ha sido mi madre, que trabajaba hasta 16 horas al día.

A los 7 años abrieron un campo de golf cerca de casa. Gracias a mi madre y a un tío que me consiguió mis primeros palos, di mis primeros swings. Desde entonces el golf se convirtió en mi pasión y también en mi refugio. Tuve la suerte de desarrollar pronto mis habilidades y, con apenas 8 años, gané mi primer Campeonato de España.

Con 13 años la Federación Española me concedió una beca en Barcelona y, a los 18, llegué a ser número 1 del mundo.

De esa etapa aprendí una gran lección: con disciplina, pasión y una oportunidad, se pueden lograr cosas increíbles.

Ese mismo verano viajé a Estados Unidos con mi hermano Agustín y mi madre para jugar el US Amateur y visitar universidades.

Todo iba muy bien… hasta que recibimos la peor noticia de nuestras vidas: mi padre había fallecido en un accidente de tráfico.

Mi madre, Nos enseñó que incluso en los momentos más oscuros hay que luchar por lo que se quiere. Y que, con determinación, los sueños se pueden cumplir aunque parezcan imposibles.

Os voy a contar un secreto…

Aunque estoy muy orgullosa de mis títulos, lo que más felicidad me da es ver la cara de mi madre y de mi familia cuando hablan de mis logros. Eso es, sin duda, de lo mejor que me ha pasado.

LO QUE VIENE AHORA..

Después de recorrer el mundo con mi bolsa de palos, y en los campos más prestigiosos del mundo, quiero compartir mi experiencia con vosotros.

Mostraros campos inolvidables y ayudaros a que vuestra aventura en este deporte sea también única.

Porque el éxito no es un destino… es un viaje que merece la pena vivir.

CARRERA AMATEUR

  • Numero 1 del Mundo
  • Campeona de la Junior Ryder Cup en 1999 y 2002
  • Campeona de Sherry Cup y Doral Publix
  • Representante del equipo Europeo en la Junior Solheim Cup en 2002
  • Campeona de Europa 2003
  • Campeona de Europa Junior en 2002 y 2004
  • Campeona de España Amateur en 2004

CARRERA PROFESIONAL

3 victorias Internacionales, y mas de 55 top10 por todo el mundo
  • 2005 3ª Telkom Women’s Classic South Africa
  • 2005 2ª Nedbank Women’s Masters South Africa
  • 2006 7ª Open de España
  • 2006 7ª Ladies English Open
  • 2007 5ª Telkom Women’s Classic South Africa
  • 2007 7ª BMW Ladies Italian Open
  • 2008 9ª Nykredit Masters Dinamarca
  • 2008 5ª Uniqa Austrian Ladies Open
  • 2008 2ª BMW Ladies Italian Open
  • 2008 9ª Suzhou Taihu China Ladies Open
  • 2009 10ª Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open
  • 2010 Campeona del circuito de Madrid
  • 2010 Campeona del circuito Banesto Tour
  • 2011 Campeona del Circuito de Madrid
  • 2011 12ª Deutsche Bank Swiss Open
  • 2012 Campeona del circuito de Madrid
  • 2013 9ª Terre Blanche en Francia
  • 2013 7ª Generali Dinard Ladies Open
  • 2013 6ª Kristianstan Ladies Open
  • 2013 8ª WPGA Ladies Open
  • 2014 8ª Solversborg Ladies Open
  • 2014 9ª OCA Auguas Santas Ladies Open
  • 2015 5ª Generali Dinard Ladies Open
  • 2015 10ª OCA Auguas Santas Ladies Open
  • 2017 Campeona del circuito WPGA
  • 2018 7ª VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open
  • 2018 Campeona del AXA Czech Ladies Open en Praga
  • 2018 Campeona en el Fope Invitational en Italia
  • 2019 6ª Aramco Series Reserva de Sotogrande
  • 2019 9ª Ladies European Thailand Open
  • 2021 2ª Aramco Series en Londres
  • 2021 4ª Aramco Series en Jeddah
  • 2021 7ª Gant Ladies Open
  • 2021 3ª Greekhouse Ladies Open
  • 2022 3ª Australia Women’s Open
  • 2022 8ª Aramco Series en Sotogrande
  • 2022 8ª KMPG Women’s Irish Open
  • 2023 Campeona de Pickala Ladies Open en Finlandia
  • 2023 3ª Aramco Series en Singapore
  • 2023 4ª Aramco Series en Florida
  • 2023 5ª Amundi German Ladies Open
  • 2023 9ª En la Sella Open

la reserva

La Reserva Club de Sotogrande—established in 2003 and designed by the esteemed American architect Cabell B. Robinson—is an 18-hole, par-72 championship layout spanning approximately 7,400 yards.

Its design leverages the natural Andalusian hillside, featuring wide fairways, dramatic elevation changes, fast undulating greens, and strategically placed water hazards that challenge players of all levels.

Golf World recognised La Reserva’s exceptional «X-Factor,» placing it 30th among Europe’s top-100 courses. The review praises its glamorous setting, striking holes, conditioning, and tournament pedigree.

Notable Professional Tournaments Hosted include :

NH Collection Open (2014)
A one-time European Tour and Challenge Tour co-sanctioned event held in April 2014. Marco Crespi captured the title with a score of 278 (−10).

La Reserva de Sotogrande Invitational (2019)
A Ladies European Tour tournament inaugurated in 2019, hosted by Annika Sörenstam. Céline Herbin emerged as the first champion with a score of 282 (−6).

Aramco Team Series (Ladies European Tour)
La Reserva has become a recurring venue for this innovative team-format event, underscoring its ongoing role in elite women’s professional golf.

MENA Tour – Sotogrande Masters (2016)
La Reserva hosted the inaugural Sotogrande Masters, part of the MENA Tour, offering a proving ground for emerging talent. The challenging layout—with its fast greens—is noted for testing players’ nerves, especially under windy conditions.

Andalucía Golf Challenge Circuit
An open amateur series featuring top regional courses. La Reserva regularly hosts one of its legs, offering substantial prizes and drawing diverse competitors. The events are well-organised and highly regarded by participants.

Copa S. M. La Reina de Golf (2023)
In 2023, La Reserva hosted the 105th edition of this prestigious women’s amateur championship. A key event in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking, it featured both stroke-play and match-play formats, with a field composed of elite national and international amateur talent.

real club de golf sotogrande

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is a cornerstone of Europe’s golf legacy and the first continental European course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., opening in 1964. Trent Jones considered it among his five favourite of over 500 creations worldwide.

Renowned for its strategic layout, the greens are slightly elevated and undulating, always demanding a thoughtful, precise approach.

Important international tournaments have been held here for 50 years.

1966 Spanish Open: Just two years after opening, Sotogrande hosted the Spanish Open, won by Roberto de Vicenzo with 279 strokes. Strikingly, just a year later, he became the oldest winner of The Open Championship at age 44.

1970 Sherry Cup (now European Nations Cup – Copa Sotogrande): Introduced in 1970, this annual 72-hole amateur stroke-play tournament draws top young talent from across Europe. Champions include Padraig Harrington, Sergio García, Francesco Molinari, Rory McIlroy, and Shane Lowry.

1973 Ladies’ European Amateur Championship: Hosted at Sotogrande, where the English team claimed victory, ahead of France, Sweden, and Spain.

1983 Spanish Amateur Championship: Claimed by a youthful José María Olazábal, a preview of his later success—including two Masters titles.

1987 Spanish Professional Championship: A defining moment when Seve Ballesteros, then world No. 2, defeated Pepín Rivero in a dramatic final round, famously holing a bunker shot on the 16th to clinch victory.

1996–2001 European Tour Qualifying School: Held here alongside neighboring San Roque Club, the event produced future stars like Ian Poulter, Geoff Ogilvy, Justin Rose, and Nicolas Colsaerts.

Beyond tournaments, Sotogrande has been a proving ground for stars—McIlroy described winning the Sherry Cup in 2007 as a transformational moment toward his professional career.

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande blends classic design, historical gravitas, and a legacy of champions. From hosting national opens to fostering future legends, it remains a beloved members’ club and a pillar of European golf culture.

In 1994, Sotogrande was granted the prestigious «Real» title by King Juan Carlos I, further cementing its esteemed status.

Today, Sotogrande continues to attract top amateur and professional talent, offering both an authentic historical experience and enduring challenge for golfers.

finca cortesin

Located in stunning countryside near Casares on the Costa del Sol, Finca Cortesin Golf Club is widely celebrated as one of Spain’s—and Europe’s—most exquisite golf destinations. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson and brought to life with lush Mediterranean landscaping by Gerald Huggan, the 18-hole championship course seamlessly blends indigenous flora, cork oaks, and pristine Bermuda turf to create a visually striking and technically demanding experience.

The club is equally renowned for its attention to luxury, detail, and environmental stewardship. It became the first golf course in Spain to adopt an eco-friendly Bermuda grass across all its putting surfaces during a 2017 greens renovation.

When it comes to tournament pedigree, Finca Cortesin’s calendar is impressive. It hosted the Volvo World Match Play Championship on three occasions — an elite, invitational event on the European Tour featuring top global players.

Notably, the 2009 edition took place there, where Ross Fisher triumphed over Anthony Kim in a high-stakes field competing in a group-stage format.

The course reached a new milestone in 2023 by hosting the Solheim Cup, the prestigious biennial team competition between Europe and the United States in women’s professional golf. Held from 22 to 24 September, the match concluded in a dramatic 14-14 tie, allowing Europe to retain the Cup on home soil—the first time Spain hosted this illustrious event.

Beyond tournaments, the resort itself is a five-star oasis of leisure, lodging, and wellness — frequently ranked among the top golf resorts in Europe.

The experience is enhanced by thoughtful player services—such as complimentary range balls, buggies with GPS, fresh fruit and water on the course, and meticulous club care—all contributing to an elevated and unforgettable golfing experience.

In essence, Finca Cortesin combines championship-caliber golf design, environmental excellence, top-tier hospitality, and a tournament legacy that includes the Volvo Match Play and the Solheim Cup. It stands as one of Europe’s premier golfing destinations, where natural beauty and competitive tradition meet in exceptional harmony.

real club valderrama

Nestled in the hills of Sotogrande, Real Club Valderrama stands as one of Europe’s most revered and demanding golf courses. In 1985 it was redesigned by the legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Since the late 1980s, Valderrama has consistently ranked as the number one course in continental Europe and has been included in global “Top 100” lists.

It is heralded for its pristine conditioning, strategic layout, and intense challenge that demands precision on every shot—earning it the nickname “the Augusta of Europe”.

Among its most iconic holes are:

Hole 4, «La Cascada», a dramatic par-5 featuring a waterfall and challenging water hazard.

Hole 17, «Los Gabilones», notorious as one of the toughest par-5 holes in the world due to its length, water defenses, and intricate green complex.

Valderrama’s history reads like a who’s who of professional golf tournaments:

Volvo Masters (1988–1996; 2002–2008): For nearly two decades, Valderrama hosted the European Tour’s season-ending championship—the Volvo Masters—drawing the top 60 money-list players annually.

1997 Ryder Cup: Making history, Valderrama became the first host of the Ryder Cup outside the U.S. or U.K. Europe, captained by Seve Ballesteros, held off a powerful U.S. comeback to win 14–13.

WGC-American Express Championship (1999–2000): The inaugural World Golf Championships events were held here in 1999 and 2000. Tiger Woods took the first, while Mike Weir triumphed in the second.

Andalucía Valderrama Masters: Launched in 2010, this European Tour staple has seen winners like Graeme McDowell (2010), Sergio García (2011, 2017–2018), and Adrián Otaegui (2022).

LIV Golf Andalucía (2023–present): Marking a new chapter, Valderrama joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League in 2023. The inaugural event was won by Taylor Gooch; 2024 saw Sergio García claim victory; and the tournament is confirmed to return in 2026 and beyond.

In just over 50 years, Real Club Valderrama has cemented itself as a monument of European golf—where architectural excellence meets tournament prestige.

From memory-making Ryder Cup battles to World Golf Championships, national opens to modern LIV Golf spectacles, its legacy continues to evolve — firmly rooted in tradition and excellence.