Driving sustainability: the Acciona Open de España leads the green revolution

The Acciona Open de España, one of the oldest golf championships in the DP World Tour, returns to the prestigious Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.The Acciona Open de España, one of the oldest golf championships in the DP World Tour, returns to the prestigious Club de Campo Villa de Madrid from September 26-29, 2024. As a key event since 1971, the tournament has evolved into more than just a world-class sporting event—it is now a leader in sustainability. In collaboration with Acciona, the strategic sustainability partner, the Open de España has implemented innovative measures to drastically reduce its environmental impact, setting a new standard for green sports events.

In 2024, the contest will continue its pioneering work by achieving positive water and carbon footprints, the first sports event to do so. Acciona’s efforts have reduced the tournament’s carbon emissions by 29% per attendee since 2021 while leaving a lasting regenerative legacy in Madrid by planting thousands of trees. These initiatives align with Acciona’s long-term goal of transforming elite sports events into models of sustainability and regeneration.

One of the standout features of the Acciona Open de España is its water sustainability initiative. By generating clean water in one of Acciona’s desalination plants in the Júcar Basin—a region of Spain heavily affected by water stress—the company ensures a positive water footprint. This clean water production will offset the tournament’s total water consumption, preventing the depletion of local water sources.

The Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, an iconic course and a central venue for this remarkable tournament, is also a must-play destination for golf lovers. Tee Times Golf Agency offers exclusive Spain golf holiday packages that allow players to enjoy this stunning course while embracing eco-conscious tourism. For those who appreciate world-class golf and environmental responsibility, Tee Times delivers a unique opportunity to experience the best golf packages in Spain.

Acciona Open de España in detail

As golf fans prepare to witness top-tier players like Jon Rahm, Matthieu Pavon, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and the entire “Armada Española” (photo) compete on the green, they can also take pride in knowing that this tournament is helping to shape a more sustainable future for the sport. José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid‘s president, highlighted this event’s importance, calling it a privilege and an honour to host the Open in such a prestigious public venue.

Whether you’re attending to watch the action or looking to play on the same course as the pros, the Acciona Open de España offers an unparalleled experience season by season. With Tee Times Golf Agency, you can enjoy the best Spain golf holidays while supporting sustainability initiatives that make a real difference. Join us in Madrid for a tournament that is as green as it is exciting!

The final DP World Tour chapter for golf icon Bernhard Langer

Bernhard Langer, a golf legend with an illustrious career, will make his final appearance on the European Tour at the BMW International Open in Munich starting Thursday (3 July). This marks the end of an era in European golf as Langer, a player who has left an indelible mark on the sport, bids farewell to the tour.

Langer’s career, spanning five decades, includes 42 titles on the DP World Tour, making him Germany’s most successful player and second only to Severiano Ballesteros in titles won. He was also the first golfer to be ranked world number one, a testament to his exceptional skill and determination.

At 66, Langer continues to compete on the PGA TOUR Champions, where he holds a record 46 career titles. His final appearance on the European Tour at Golfclub München Eichenried marks his 513th tournament. Reflecting on this milestone, Langer shared his mixed emotions with the DP World Tour. “I don’t know yet how I will react,” he admitted. “I’ve never said goodbye to anything so far in terms of golf. This is going to be a first experience and I have a feeling it’s going to be very emotional.”

Bernhard Langer and his time in Portugal and Spain

Despite never securing a victory in Portugal, Langer’s success in Spain is noteworthy. He claimed the Spanish Open in 1984 and 1989, the Volvo Masters in Andalusia in 1994 and 2002, and the Madrid Open in 1990. These victories solidified his status as a global golf icon and endeared him to Spanish golf fans.

Earlier plans for his farewell at the Masters Tournament in April were delayed due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained while playing pickleball. Remarkably, Langer returned to competitive play less than three months post-surgery, continuing to excel on the PGA TOUR Champions.

Langer’s return to the BMW International Open, where he last played in 2012 and finished second five times, brings both excitement and challenge. The course, now longer than in past years, poses a significant test for him. “I’m getting shorter, and the course is getting longer and that’s not a good combination,” he noted. His return to this prestigious event after a long hiatus is a moment of anticipation and excitement for all golf fans.

Playing in front of a home crowd holds special significance for Langer, as the venue is near where he began his golfing journey. “I grew up about 45 minutes from here,” he explained in dialogue with DP World Tour. “I have a lot of friends, some relatives, and people who have supported me for many years in the game of golf. It’s the only one I haven’t won yet in Germany. So it was always tricky, but I’m glad to be back.”

Joining Langer are fellow German golfers Marcel Siem and Martin Kaymer, adding to the sense of a fitting and emotional farewell for one of golf’s greatest players.

The team at Tee Times Golf Agency would like to salute Bernhard Langer for his exceptional career on the European Tour. His dedication, skill, and, above all, his unwavering sportsmanship have inspired golfers worldwide and helped shape the game’s spirit.

Photo by: Revista Fairway.

The DP World Tour and the European Swing

The DP World Tour has kicked off its European Swing in Belgium with The Soudal Open. The tour, now titled the DP World Tour for sponsorship reasons, will be played on European soil until October.

The winner in Belgium was the Spanish Nacho Elvira with 266 strokes (-18), and the best Portuguese was Pedro Figueiredo, in 24th place with 274 (-10).

The European Swing (with the Closed Swing and the Back Nine stages) features a series of thrilling tournaments across various countries. Here is a list of the competitions and their locations:

May 23 – 26
Soudal Open
Rinkven International GC, Antwerp, Belgium

May 30 – Jun 02
European Open
Green Eagle Golf Courses, Hamburg, Germany

Jun 06 – 09
Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed
Vasatorps Golfklubb, Helsingborg, Sweden

Jun 20 – 23
KLM Open
The International, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Jun 27 – 30
Italian Open
Adriatic Golf Club Cervia, Milano Marittima, Ravenna, Italy

Jul 04 – 07
BMW International Open
Golfclub München Eichenried, Munich, Germany

Jul 11 – 14
Genesis Scottish Open
The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland

Jul 18 – 21
THE 152ND OPEN
Royal Troon GC, Ayrshire, Scotland

Aug 01 – 04
Olympic Men’s Golf Competition
Le Golf National, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France

Aug 15 – 18
D+D REAL Czech Masters
PGA National OAKS Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

Aug 22 – 25
Danish Golf Championship
Lübker Golf Resort, Aarhus, Denmark

Aug 29 – Sep 01
Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo
The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, England

Sep 05 – 08
Omega European Masters
Crans-sur-Sierre GC, Crans Montana, Switzerland

Sep 12 – 15
Amgen Irish Open
Royal County Down GC, Newcastle, Co Down, Northern Ireland

Sep 19 – 22
BMW PGA Championship
Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, England

Sep 26 – 29
acciona Open de España presented by Madrid
Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Oct 03 – 06
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Old Course St. Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland
Kingsbarns Golf Links, Kingsbarns, Scotland

Oct 10 – 13
FedEx Open de France 
Le Golf National, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France

Oct 17 – 20
Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, San Roque, Andalucía , Spain

The European Swing in Spain

The beauty and uniqueness of Europe’s golf courses are unrivalled, with stunning landscapes and world-class facilities. The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande and the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, both part of Tee Times Golf Agency‘s offerings for those seeking the best destinations for their Spain golf holidays, stand out. These courses, with their lush fairways and scenic views, are known for their challenging design and historical significance, providing unforgettable golfing experiences for professional players and spectators.

The Race to Dubai

In 2009, the Order of Merit was replaced by the Race to Dubai, with a bonus pool of US$7.5 million distributed among the top 15 players at the end of the season, with the winner taking $1.5 million. 

The DP World Tour Race to Dubai leader is Rory McIlroy, who has consistently delivered outstanding performances throughout the season. 

Photo by: Infogolf.