WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao has officially welcomed its first-ever MCB Caribbean Legends Pro-Am 2026, with the international golf tournament getting underway this week at Blue Bay Golf Course.
The event, which runs through Sunday, forms part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Blue Bay golf course and brings together professional golf legends, amateur players and international visitors from around the world.
The tournament is part of the official Legends Tour, making it the first time Curaçao hosts an event affiliated with the international senior professional golf circuit.
The Legends Tour features former Ryder Cup players, major tournament participants and European Tour winners, giving the island a new place on the international golf calendar.
Among the headline participants is Welsh golfer Jamie Donaldson, a former Ryder Cup winner and former world number 23, who serves as tournament ambassador and host.
Donaldson is best known for securing Europe’s winning point in the 2014 Ryder Cup and remains one of the most recognized names on the Legends Tour.
The Pro-Am format pairs professional golfers with amateur players, creating a unique competitive and networking experience that combines elite sport with corporate and recreational participation.
Organizers say the tournament is designed to do more than showcase golf.
It is also part of a broader strategy to position Curaçao as an international sports tourism destination, attracting high-profile athletes and visitors while promoting the island globally.
The event has a strong community component as well.
During tournament week, the Churandy Martina Foundation will benefit from the MCB Charity Beat the Pro initiative, a fundraising event where participants compete against professional golfers in a closest-to-the-pin challenge.
In addition, 50 local children will take part in the MCB Kids Day program, where they will have the opportunity to learn the sport directly from the international professionals.
The tournament is being organized with the support of title sponsor Maduro & Curiel's Bank (MCB) and destination partner Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), reinforcing the link between sports development and tourism promotion.
Organizers have described the event as the beginning of a long-term partnership, with plans already being explored for an even larger edition in 2027.
For Curaçao, the arrival of the Legends Tour marks another step in expanding its portfolio of international sporting events and strengthening its reputation as a destination where sports and tourism can grow together.