Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño prepares for Valle Romano Open

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño gave himself the perfect fillip for this week's Valle Romano Open de Andalucia at Aloha Golf Club by claiming his third European Tour title with a sensational victory in last week's Telecom Italia Open.

Fernandez-Castaño beat Austrian Markus Brier at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off at Castello di Tolscinasco, but before backers rush to put their hard earned cash on the affable 26 year old completing a notable back-to-back success, he had words of caution for his many supporters.

"Every time I have won a tournament, the following week I have played terribly so I would keep your money in your pocket," joked the Spaniard who added the Italian title to that of the 2005 KLM Open and the 2006 BMW Asian Open.

"Seriously though, it is a tremendous boost for me going into what will be a big week for myself and my family both on and off the course. I have been working hard on my swing with my coaches over the winter and in recent months and I am delighted it has all come to fruition."

Fernandez-Castaño's run into form could not have come at a better time because, together with compatriot Miguel Angel Jiménez, he is heavily involved in the promotion and organisation of the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia.

Fernandez-Castaño's company - GFC Golf and Business - along with Jiménez's company - Golf Acción - have helped bring the inaugural staging of the tournament to Andalucia and he is naturally keen for the event to be a success. However, to succeed on the course, the Spaniard believes all competitors will need to exert a great deal of precision and patience.

"My relationship with Aloha is a very special one, I started playing there on the par threes at the age of seven. I attended Diego Morito's lessons for a group of children, and he put a golf club in my hand for the first time. Summer after summer I have been playing Aloha and they have always treated me very well.

"It is a beautiful place and I hope everyone enjoys their time there and the tournament itself," he said. "As for the golf course, we know it is not one of the longest on Tour but the fairways will be narrow and the rough quite demanding so you will have to be accurate if you are going to succeed.

"There are also water hazards encroaching on several holes so players will have to be patient too as scoring might not be that easy especially if the wind gets up."

Gordon Simpson

Director of Communications

Tel: +44 1344 840454 (dir)

Mob: +44 7899 940030

e mail: gsimpson@europeantour.com