Real Club de Golf de Valderrama is one of the best known golf clubs in Europe , globally recognised and respected .
It is often referred to as “ the Augusta of Europe ”. If you are lucky enough to get an invitation to play it , drop everything and accept . At least , that ’ s what I did when Operations Director Mr . Fernando Padrón got in touch .
Driving west down the AP7 towards Algeciras / Cadiz , like a kid off to visit Santa , my golf shoes have been polished , clubs sparkling , and extra golf balls have been packed in . The sign says “ Exit 130 – Valderrama ”, surging excitement levels to an all-time high on the point of bursting . Passing the security gate , the clubhouse comes into sight . The mind wanders , heroic golfing memories of Seve winning the Ryder Cup , McGinley winning the Volvo Masters , and much more come flooding back . I needed a pinch to make sure I wasn ’ t dreaming .
Real Club de Golf de Valderrama is located in Andalucia , in the exclusive resort of Sotogrande , a few miles from Gibraltar and less than an hour from Malaga international airport . Valderrama was constructed in 1974 to the designs of leading American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones . Renamed “ Las Aves ” in 1981 , it was acquired by Jaime Ortiz-Patiño in 1984 and was redesigned and expanded by the original architect and became “ Valderrama .”
The Par 71 Championship Course measures 6356 metres from the professional tees , but there ’ s many different tees for all levels of golfer . The fairways have been described by top pros and leading golf writers as the best in Europe , if not the world , the words “ carpet ” were mentioned most the round in our group .
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