Former Ryder Cup venue Real Club Valderrama has been named to stage this year’s Open de Espana, with the tournament hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation. The tournament, which has featured every season since the European Tours launch in 1972, will take place at the Andalusian course for the first time from April 14-17.Valderrama, famous for being Europes first continental Ryder Cup venue in 1997, has also previously been home to the WGC-American Express Championship and was the regular venue for the one-time season-ending Volvo Masters. Valderrama was the first venue in mainland Europe to stage the Ryder Cup back in 1997 The tournament will be the first this year to be played on European soil and has the full backing of Garcia, who will act as tournament host through the foundation launched under his name. This is a whole new way of working together with The European Tour and I am very proud to be a part of it, Garcia said. Part of that pride stems from the fact that the tournament is going to be played at Valderrama which is, without doubt, one of the best courses not just in Europe, but in the entire world, and one which has a rich history within the game.I personally have great memories of the golf course, having won the Andalucía Valderrama Masters there in 2011 and I am sure that all the players who tee up in April will enjoy testing their game against the fantastic layout. Sergio Garcia won the 2011 EPGA Andalucia golf Masters at the venue Garcia becomes the fifth player to have a direct role in an event on this seasons European Tour, joining Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Paul Lawrie and Luke Donald as tournament hosts. I am delighted that we will see the Open de España, one of the most prestigious tournament titles on The European Tour, staged at Valderrama for the first time this year, Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said.In my many discussions with our players over the past six months, their desire to play on the best courses possible has consistently shone through, and in Valderrama we most certainly have one of the best in the world. James Morrison will be the tournaments defending champion after a four-shot win last time around Sergio is not only one of the greatest players Spain has ever produced, he has also been very helpful to me in my first six months in the role of CEO of The European Tour and his vision and commitment in seeing this tournament come to fruition is very much appreciated.Last years tournament saw James Morrison claim victory at Real Club de Golf El Prat, ending a five-year wait for a European Tour win by finishing four shots clear of the group including Miguel Angel Jimenez. Watch the European Tour throughout the season live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf Also See: 2015 recap: Morrison coasts to win Keith Pelley on Tours future EuropeanTour Schedule Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ATHENS, Ga. -- Josh Brooks, who had been deputy athletic director at Louisiana-Monroe, has been named Georgias executive associate athletic director.Brooks previously served as Georgias director of football operations and associate athletic director for internal operations from 2008-14.He was Millsapps Colleges athletic director from 2014-15 before his time at Louisiana-Monroe.ddddddddddddrooks hiring was announced Wednesday by Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity. ' ' '