Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, the leading light in what was the first Ryder Cup match to be played in Continental Europe at Valderrama, in 1997, and an incredible contributor to the game in Europe has passed away, aged 82.
Jaime, also known affectionately as Jimmy, helped to play an incredible part within the growth of European golf in the last 40 or so years by driving the expansion of the game throughout Spain, specifically through the influence of the Ryder Cup matches and his long-term support of various top level European Tour events.
His tireless efforts and incredible dedication to the game, and the professional golfer within it, saw him become President of the Confederation of Professional Golf in 2001/2002 succeeding John Jacobs in the position and preceding Sir Michael Bonallack, cementing his place amongst the golfing greats of Europe.
Ortiz-Patiño was also awarded the Confederation of Professional Golf Christer Lindberg Bowl back in 2006 to formally acknowledge and award his outstanding contribution to European Golf.
Patiño greatly contributed to the Confederation of Professional Golf and the then General Secretary, Lawrie Thornton, spoke fondly of him:
“To have him as Confederation of Professional Golf President ‘sandwiched’ between John Jacobs and Sir Michael Bonallack says everything about Jimmy’s standing in the world of golf. In those two years we enjoyed so many very special occasions in his company, and with his help, support and advice, were able to progress the fledgling Confederation of Professional Golf to the point where it was able to take its place at the peak of the games’ administration.”
Chief Executive of the Confederation of Professional Golf, Ian Randell, said “Jimmy was an inspiration to us all – he showed that European golf had it’s place on the global golfing map and the courses, infrastructures, and destinations were there to match the likes of the best in the world.
“He played a significant part in boosting the game in Spain, as well as influencing the biggest move seen in the Ryder Cup since it’s expansion to include Europe, by providing a world-class venue for that first match on Continental Europe’s soil. The game owes him a great deal for and he will be sorely missed by European golf.”
Carlos Roca, President of the PGA of Spain said “Jaime Ortiz Patiño has been one of the most influential players for Spanish Golf during our modern times. His enthusiasm, hard work an vision goes far beyond creating Valderrama and its marvelous championships.
“He built up a future for generations to come by funding scholarships, junior leagues and amazing and overwhelming support for public golf. All this hard work has helped tremendously in improving golf standards ensuring an easier, better and cleaner road for our spanish golf future. From the PGA of Spain we want to honestly thank you and whish you to rest in peace.”
Born to Bolivian parents in Paris in 1930, Ortiz-Patiño found his passion for the game after a series of events beginning in Italy when caddying for Dai Rees and receiving Ryder Cup tickets for the following year’s match in Lindrick, UK, in 1957.
It was then that connection that lead him many years later to create a vision for what would become Valderrama – increasing participation and busy courses lead him and a group of associates to buy out the Los Aves course, which was subsequently remodeled by original designer Robert Trent Jones Snr, becoming Valderrama as we know it today.
Having created a masterpiece of the highest quality, it was not long before the course was hosting tournaments including 16 Volvo Masters, two World Golf Championship events and the Andalucía Masters. But it was likely the Ryder Cup match’s move to Valderrama in 1997 that will ensure it remains in the history books as Ortiz-Patiño’s crowning glory.
————————
For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf visit the CPG.com, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.