It is very sad to learn Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, the man whose vision and commitment saw the Ryder Cup played in Continental Europe for the first time at his beloved Valderrama in 1997, has died at the age of 82
Born to Bolivian parents in Paris in June 1930, Patiño – who was known as ‘Jimmy’ to his friends and who passed away in the Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella on Thursday January 3 – made an invaluable contribution to the elevation of golf in Andalucia, primarily through the splendour of his course at Valderrama where he was owner and Honorary President.
In addition to The 1997 Ryder Cup, The European Tour contested the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama – where the flags now fly at half-mast – a total of 16 times between 1988 and 2008 as well as playing two World Golf Championship events there in 1999 and 2000 and the Andalucia Masters in 2010 and 2011.
‘Jimmy’ Patino (second left) sadly passes away at age 82. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
The stature of the golf course can be measured by the players who triumphed in these various tournaments – a veritable Who’s Who of the game including; Sergio Garcia, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Graeme McDowell, Colin Montgomerie, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Tiger Woods.
Through all of these championships Patiño’s influence was strong and was suitably recognised when he was made an Honorary Life Vice President of The European Tour during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in May 2010, the award presented to him by European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady, European Tour Vice Chairman Angel Gallardo and the man who would go on to lead Europe to another Ryder Cup triumph in September 2012, José María Olazábal.
George O’Grady led the tributes to one of the great figures in the game when he said: “Jaime Ortiz-Patiño provided more than a few proud moments in the history of The European Tour and in many ways he changed the face of the game in Europe.
“His foresight and dedication to the game through the Volvo Masters and, of course, The Ryder Cup, was legendary as was his dedication to excellence in terms of the preparation of a golf course. Nobody had seen a golf course presented the way Valderrama was – he raised the bar in that respect. He was also a gentleman and he will be sadly missed.”
Ángel Gallardo said: “Many great memories of him come to mind. We shared great moments, especially in the run up to The 1997 Ryder Cup. I spent a lot of time with him. He used to come to the meetings at six in the morning – one day I tried to be there before he did but he still beat me!
“Last November he came for dinner to my apartment in Crans-sur-Sierre. He brought a very good wine and we had Fondue Bourgignon which he loved. We had a very pleasant evening and it is one I will remember forever.
“He has done a lot not only for Spanish golf but also for European golf, in fact in many way he has been the ‘soul’ of golf in Europe. When we named him Honorary Vice President of The European Tour, it was a truly deserved honor for a very great man.”
José María Olazábal said: “He was a man with a strong character who did not doubt when he wanted to get something done. He gave his all in everything he did; his full effort and energy to achieve his goals.
“Valderrama is his masterpiece, his legacy. He wanted to make it a very special place, a unique place, and he did it. He put Valderrama and that part of Andalucía on the golfing map. Through the Volvo Masters, the American Express Championship and The Ryder Cup, he presented Andalucía to the whole world as a great golfing destination.
“At the 1997 Ryder Cup he was close to the team, and he used to talk a lot with Seve. He wanted every single detail to be precise and he tried so hard to make everything perfect. He even used to get out of bed at 4.30 in the morning to work with the maintenance team and help cut the greens! Not many people would have done that but it perfectly showed his character. We will miss him.”
Mel Pyatt, former President of Volvo Event Management who worked closely with Patiño during the years of the Volvo Masters, said: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of my dear friend Jimmy. We shook hands in 1987 to host the season ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama and a gentlemen’s agreement was formed, never wishing to sign any legal documentation.
“We shared a wonderful business and personal relationship, fully respecting each other’s role with the same shared values and beliefs in creating and delivering the finest professional golf event in Europe.
“The Volvo Masters and the Valderrama golf course set the highest standards of quality in all areas that became the pinnacle for all to recognise and follow. Without Jimmy’s passion, perfection and drive, it would have never happened. He will be sadly missed on the world stage.”
Sergio Garcia, who won the 2011 Andalucia Masters at Valderrama, said: “This is a very sad day not just for Spain but for the whole of the golfing world. Jamie Ortiz-Patiño was a great man and the masterpiece he helped create at Valderrama was truly something special.
“For me to win the Andalucia Masters there, and become the first Spanish player to win a European Tour event on his golf course, is a memory that I will treasure for the rest of my life. My thoughts go out to his family at this time.”
Nuno de Brito e Cunha, President Club de Golf Valderrama, said: “The entire team, the Board of Governors and the members of Club de Golf Valderrama are deeply saddened by the death of Jaime Ortiz-Patiño. We wish to send our deepest condolences to his family, especially his sons Carlos and Felipe.
* Article with thanks to www.europeantour.com
