Golf in Spain becomes victim of financial crisis
Spanish golf courses provide an excellent atmosphere for golf, but with a financial crisis in the midst, golf in Spain has suffered a major setback.
Recession has got the better of Spain, with the current financial crisis, things look bleak for the country.
With unemployment rising up to 25 percent, the Spanish government is focusing on policies that will get the nation out of the crisis.
The country that was once the hub of golf activities will only have one big tournament taking place on its soil, the Spanish Open.
The CEO of MatchGolf, Javier Gervas said that Spain is going through some tough times at the moment, and there is a serious scarcity of money. The salaries are stagnant and the Spanish people
have suffered the most.
Gervas, who plays a pivotal role in promotion of golf in Spain, further said: “I do believe that golf is good for Spain and for the different regions.
"I just think that, at the moment, everyone has had to cut on the budgets and the sponsorship has been very easy to do (away with, you look at a chart and you say, 'Right, how much are we
spending here? Four million? Right, take it off '".
Golf is not the only sport that has been affected by the financial crisis.
The Formula 1, which is one of the world’s biggest motor sports, will be conducting just one race on the Spanish tracks. The race will be held either in Barcelona or Valencia.
Spanish football has dominated the world, with the most high profile players and the most lucrative clubs playing in Spanish territory.
Although Real Madrid, a Spanish football club, has not been a victim to the crisis, due to its strong financial backing, every other club is in some sort of debt to the Spanish government.
The European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy, Keith Waters had his say over the financial crisis matter.
Waters said that it is highly unpleasant to witness full-field events go down the drain. He added that if the situation is not resolved, it will affect golfers who gave it their all in the
Qualifying Schools to be a part of the European Tour events.
Since there will not be as many tournaments during this season compared to the previous seasons, golf in the country is set to face even tougher times.
He added that things are expected to get back to normal, but it is a slow and steady process.
Waters said: ''So it's not going to be easy over the next two or three years''.
The European countries have been affected by the terrible financial crisis over the past and have been a sprouting massive outroars.
Golf in Spain has plenty to work on during the coming months in order to tackle the situation.
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