* La Sella Open 2026, the Ladies European Tour event held at La Sella Golf in Dénia, Spain, opens its fourth edition tonight with a welcome dinner and opening ceremony paying tribute to Spanish golf legend Carmen Alonso, ahead of four days of competition from 17-20 September.

* The tournament paid tribute tonight to defending champion Anna Huang and Spanish golf legend Carmen Alonso, at the opening ceremony held at La Sella Golf

Dénia -- La Sella Golf hosted tonight the opening ceremony of the fourth edition of La Sella Open 2026, a Ladies European Tour (LET) event, in an evening that combined the official welcome to the players with an emotional tribute to Carmen Alonso, a historic figure of Spanish golf.

Carlos García, President of La Sella Golf, opened the ceremony with a welcome speech reviewing the tournament's philosophy: a competition centred on the players, with no Pro-Am, financial support for those who miss the cut, and no commercial advertising along the course.

During his address, Carlos García also had special words for Teresa Melecka, who this week is celebrating her honeymoon during the La Sella Open: "Teresa Melecka is celebrating her honeymoon at La Sella Open. All the best for the couple."

The ceremony included a video and a special recognition for defending champion Anna Huang, absent this year for health reasons. Carlos García sent his best wishes to her: "From here, we send her all our love and our best wishes for a very speedy recovery."

As part of this tribute to the defending champion, the menu served during the welcome dinner was the one chosen by Anna Huang herself, a gesture through which the organisation wanted to keep her presence felt throughout the evening, despite her being unable to join the players and guests in person.

The highlight of the evening was a heartfelt tribute to Carmen Alonso, one of the great figures of Spanish golf. A video celebrating her career was followed by special words from Carlos García, who recognised Alonso as she prepares to play the final tournament of her professional career this week at the La Sella Open.

Tribute to Carmen Alonso

"Today, we pay tribute to a truly essential figure and a role model in Spanish golf: Carmen Alonso," said García. "Carmen, we know that you have chosen the La Sella Open to bring your professional career to a close. Your journey has been a constant example of perseverance, courage and love for this sport. You have inspired generations of female golfers and represented our sport with an elegance and strength that we will never forget."

He concluded: "On behalf of everyone here today, thank you for your dedication, for your years of competition and for the path you have paved for so many women in golf. This tournament pays tribute to you with the utmost admiration and affection."

Following the tribute, Blanca Fernández presented Alonso with a bouquet of flowers.

Carmen Alonso closed the tribute with a brief and heartfelt thank-you: "I chose La Sella for my farewell because I love the course, but above all for the special relationship I have with Carlos and Mara. I really wanted to close out these twenty-two years here, because I know this club is very special to me."

Alonso also highlighted the tournament's growth over its four editions: "We've been voted best tournament of the year because they take special care of the players, and that's a huge plus for us. I think the tournament gets better every year: they're doing things really well, and I'm sure the players are going to be delighted."

The ceremony also included words of institutional thanks to Dénia City Council, represented by its mayor, Rafael Carrió, and its Sports Department; the Royal Spanish Golf Federation; the Golf Federation of the Valencian Community; and the Director General for Sport of the Generalitat Valenciana, Luis Cervera, for their support of La Sella Open 2026.

Media Contact

ngmgolfandsportsconsulting@gmail.com

ENDS