Destination Golf Spain 2021 * | Page 8

The destination offers such a variety of golf to choose from .
The region itself is home to the well-known . Valderrama – the only golf club in Spain to have been home to the Ryder Cup ( 1997 ) and Finca Cortesin will host the Solheim Cup in 2023 . The fact that the golf courses in Costa del Golf are chosen for the most important tournaments in Spain and Europe gives an idea of the World-class golf courses on offer .
You do not have to look far when planning your trip to find your ideal playlist of golf clubs as the region has over 70 courses , among them are some of the mentioned courses below . With the region , they are four main cluster locations to play golf - they are broken down into :
Malaga city / Axarquia : Antequera , Lauro Golf , Baviera Golf , Guadalhorce Club Golf , Parador Malaga Golf , Anoreta Golf .
Torremolinos Benalmadena-Mijas : Torrquebrada Golf , El Chaparral Golf Club , Mijas Golf , La Cala Resort , Miguel Angel Jimenez Golf Academy .
Marbella – Benahavis – Estepona : La Quinta Golf & Country Club , Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club , Villa Padierna Golf Club , Golf Dona Julia Golf Club , Finca Cortesin , El Paraiso Golf Club , Estepona Golf , Valle Romano Golf & Resort , Cabopino , Los Naranjos Golf Club , Rio Real Golf Hotel , Santa Clara Golf Marbella , Santa Maria Golf & Country Club , Royal Club Golf Guadalmina
Sotogrande : Alcaidesa Golf , Almenara , Valderrama Royal Club , Real Royal Club Golf Sotogrange , La Reserva Golf Club .
‘ Costa del Golf ’ is a haven for golfing enthusiasts , drawn to its yearround good weather , the quality of its hotels and Spanish cuisine , and the natural surroundings that spread out towards the mountains and the sea . Beyond the greens , the Costa del Sol has a wealth of cultural and leisure activities on offer . Golfers can make the most of their stay by visiting some of its 103 villages , discovering its museums , walking around the streets of some of its liveliest city centres , soaking up the culture and enjoying a unique atmosphere .
On a recent visit , our team of golf journalists visited seven popular golf courses :
PARADOR MALAGA GOLF For those who love both golf and the sea , Parador is ideal – the hotel is located on the water , with direct access to a magnificent white , sandy beach . Strength and strategy are the keynotes to successfully negotiating the oldest course on the coast . Inaugurated by the Spanish Royal Family in 1925 it was designed by Scottish architect Tom Simpson , of Turnberry and Muirfield renown . In 1992 the Royal Club de Campo hosted the inaugural Turespaña Masters Open de Andalucía won by Vijay Singh . State owned and run in conjunction with the adjoining Parador the club is part links , with natural lagoons formed by sea water and part parkland where the holes form avenues between stands of trees which are home to flocks of colourful parakeets . Although the course is flat with wide fairways the trees make things more difficult . The 12th is a good example of lurking danger with its stand of eucalyptus to the right requiring a perfect drive to reach the green in two . The Parador de Málaga Golf is a two-storey building with spacious , comfortable guest rooms that offer lovely sea views . Golf is this hotel ’ s insignia : it boasts an 18-hole course ; golf school ; three putting greens ; two approach greens ; and club , cart and electric car rental . Some guest rooms have private access to the golf course and you can enjoy breakfast or lunch outdoors on the exclusive terrace , beneath the warm Málaga sun . The Parador is located 10km from Málaga , near traditional summer destinations such as Torremolinos , Mijas , Puerto Banus and Marbella . It is the perfect spot for enjoying sports , sun , sand and the nightlife of the coastal towns .
SANTA CLARA GOLF Enjoy one of Marbella ’ s most exclusive golf courses , located in the heart of “ Costa del Golf ”. Close to the many amenities of Marbella and ideal for the golfing enthusiast , Santa Clara has become one of the finest courses in the Costa del Sol . The golf course at Santa Clara is designed by Enrique Canales Busquest , which is regularly complimented for its superb condition and presentation . The large greens and a variety of tees are complimented by a design that is respectful to the natural environment of indigenous wildlife and vegetation . The par 71 layout is 5,878 metres long but has different tees to cater for all types of golfer . The course is cleverly 80 per cent free of rough , further making it the ideal course for less experienced golfers . That said , beware of some tricky greens that can run up scores . Santa Clara has a spectacular corner ( holes 12-14 ) and another advantage is that from every tee the correspond green is visible . Overlooking the first and last holes and the driving range with views over the Mediterranean Sea , the huge sundrenched terrace is a focal point for the Clubhouse . A comprehensive range of amenities offers everything for even the most enthusiastic golfer .
MARBELLA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Senior , and located just a short 5-minute drive from the cosmopolitan town of Marbella , the course at Marbella Golf Country Club provides one of the best and most challenging golfing experiences in the whole of Europe . Opened in 1994 and occupying one of the largest remaining green areas on the
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