Marbella Golf

Fam tour: exploring Costa del Sol best golf resorts

Posted on by

By Jorge Diogo (Director of Sales & Marketing)

From June 9 to 13, the Tee Times Golf Agency booking department team had the privilege of embarking on an exciting fam tour through the stunning Costa del Sol. This tour was not just about work but also about enjoying some of Spain’s best golf courses and hotels. Our crew, consisting of Telma Santos, Marisa Galhardo, Atyla Miranda, Vera Santos and me, had a blast and returned with a wealth of knowledge and unforgettable experiences.

The Costa del Sol, nestled along the southern coastline of Spain, is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and picturesque landscapes. However, one of its most captivating attractions is its world-class golf courses and luxurious resorts. This region has become a premier destination for golf enthusiasts from around the globe, offering a blend of exceptional facilities and rich cultural experiences.

During the fam tour, our team was dedicated to learning in detail about each golf course and the services of the hotels and restaurants. This commitment ensures that we can provide our clients with the most accurate and beneficial information and services.

The fam tour in detail

We began our adventure at La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, a golf course offering spectacular views towards Gibraltar and Morocco. Besides its natural beauty, we couldn’t resist trying their delicious cheese pie, which is an absolute must!

Then we continue our trip visiting The San Roque Club and La Reserva, enjoying the beauty of its golf courses, which are recognised by golfers worldwide.

Our next destination was SO/ Sotogrande, which made us feel like we were in a charming village. The spacious rooms and incredibly comfortable beds added a touch of luxury to our stay. We savoured an à la carte breakfast on the terrace, with the stunning views of the mountains and sea enhancing our dining experience.

During each day of the fam trip, we visited many golf courses and hotels, and describing each activity in detail is tough. But I want to acknowledge the kindness and friendliness we received in each place.

Hotel Finca Cortesin left us speechless with its opulence and splendour, seamlessly blending modern and classic elements. At Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort, we were warmly welcomed with fresh towels, cava, and chocolates, a detail we deeply appreciated.

La Cala Resort is not only a paradise for golf lovers but also for spa enthusiasts. The METT Hotel & Beach Resort captivated us with its location facing the sea and private pools in the suites, offering a luxurious and comfortable experience.

On our last day, we ended by relaxing at the infinity pool at La Zambra, a modern-style hotel with many Andalusian features. We enjoyed a memorable welcome dinner that concluded with an excellent tiramisu prepared right at our table.

Chaparral Golf Club, a privileged place close to the sea and surrounded by a pine forest, welcomed us warmly. We enjoyed a fantastic experience at the Driving Range, followed by an exquisite lunch highlighting the club’s hospitality and culinary excellence.

We are deeply grateful to all the golf clubs and hotels that welcomed us with their warm hospitality. La Hacienda Links Golf Resort and SO/ Sotogrande, your fantastic hospitality made our stay memorable. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Finca Cortesin, El Paraíso Golf Club, Villa Padierna Hotels & Resorts, and Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort for their outstanding service. 

During our tour, we visited several premier golf and resort destinations, including The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa, Los Naranjos Golf Club, Atalaya Golf & Country Club, Rio Real Golf & Hotel, La Cala Resort, Santa Clara Golf Club Marbella, Marbella Golf Country Club, METT Hotel & Beach Resort, and Melia Sol Atalaya Park. 

Our thanks to all for hosting our team and sharing your magnificent facilities during the fam tour. With over 30 years of experience at Tee Times Golf Agency, we take pride in offering exceptional golf holidays in Portugal and Spain, ensuring our customers’ satisfaction.

Golf Merit Plates for Costa del Sol

Posted on by

Golf Merit Plates for Costa del Sol

Golf Merit Plates for Costa del Sol
The Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG) has bestowed Gold Medals and Merit Plates in Golf 2023 to commemorate the great accomplishments of the sport, based on the recommendation of the Honours Committee and subsequent ratification by the Board of Directors.

Eight of the nine Merit Plates in Golf, which recognise institutions that have greatly enriched golf, emphasise the Costa del Sol as a premier golf destination.

The staging of elite professional tournaments, the inception of the Race to Costa del Sol, and emotional backing for the Solheim Cup and the inaugural PING Junior Solheim Cup in Spain have prompted the RFEG to honour a consortium of Andalusian entities pivotal in these achievements: Junta Andalucía, Diputación de Málaga, ACOSOL, Ayuntamiento de Marbella, Ayuntamiento de Casares, Ayuntamiento de Benahavís, Finca Cortesín, and La Zagaleta.

Finca Cortesín, recognised for its superb architecture and challenging course, is a tribute to the Costa del Sol‘s top golfing experiences. The course’s immaculate conditions, combined with its spectacular vistas of the Mediterranean, have repeatedly won praise from both amateurs and pros, cementing its position as a must-visit location for golf aficionados during a golf holiday in Costa del Sol.

Similarly, in golf, La Zagaleta in Marbella embodies elegance and exclusivity. The course, set against a backdrop of natural beauty, perfectly mixes top-tier facilities with an unrivalled golfing experience. La Zagaleta is a jewel in Spain’s golfing crown, attracting appreciation from global golf lovers for its devotion to excellence, from course upkeep to member amenities.

Furthermore, the Son Servera Golf Club in Mallorca won the Merit Plate in Golf for its consistent dedication to golf since its founding in 1967, making it the Balearic Islands’ second-oldest club.

This Mallorcan school is well-known for its nurturing approach to developing golf talent, having produced multiple champions, including famous professional Nuria Iturrioz.

Son Servera, which has 700 associates and leads the Balearics in new licence creation, differentiates itself from the island’s commercial clubs due to its social essence and prominent standing. It provides free introduction courses monthly and actively promotes Mallorca as a premier golfing destination in the Balearic Islands.

Aloha Golf Returns to Arana

Posted on by

Aloha Golf returns to Arana

Aloha Golf returns to Arana
Javier Arana only built eleven golf courses in 30 years. While he may not have the most designs in Spain, he is largely regarded as the best, having provided legendary courses such as Villa de Madrid Country Club and El Saler.

Unfortunately, Arana died before the construction of his final masterpiece, the Aloha Golf Club in Marbella. Although construction started in 1972, there were still no greens when Arana visited for the final time in May 1974. Sadly, Arana passed in January 1975, and the course opened in October of that year.

“Initially, the Aloha greens had a specific cutting height and speed, making the game challenging.” “Arana had detailed green plans,” says Luis Cornejo of SURTEC Golf Agronomy, “but posthumous modifications raise questions about their fidelity to his vision.” ‘Los Campos de Golf de Javier Arana’ author Alfonso Erhardt comments.

Aloha’s greens were completely renovated earlier this year, thanks to the efforts of the chief greenkeeper, Manuel González-Loma, Lobb + Partners, SURTEC Golf Agronomy, and CJW Golf. “Aloha’s terrain is captivating,” says Tim Lobb of Lobb + Partners. Our pre-design evaluation indicated that several greens had severe slopes, which limited flag placements and putt experiences at modern speeds.”

TeeOne bentgrass was custom-grown for each of the eighteen greens. The course reopened in phases in August and September following renovations.

Lobb highlights the team’s commitment to preserving Arana’s legacy, stating that they aimed for a minimum of seven flag positions per green. “The goal was not just aesthetic; we wanted to reintroduce lost flag positions and diversify gameplay strategies,” he goes on to say.

Aloha can now accommodate more players as a result of these changes. While the greens may appear the same from a distance, Lobb says that “the real difference lies in the renewed strategies and positions available to golfers.”

The experience of revitalising Arana’s final design was enjoyable for Lobb, who stated, “Our research, including Erhardt’s book, informed our restoration choices.” In several sections, such as greens 7 and 10, we discovered historical boundaries and restored them, as well as some flag sites.”

SURTEC Golf Agronomy was instrumental in this project, supervising design selection, planning, paperwork, licencing, and construction management. Conor Walsh, well-known for his work at Dunas de Comporta, completed the project on schedule and within the plan.

Lobb praises Conor and his team’s dedication, saying that “their expertise and passion, especially from construction manager David Minogue, were invaluable to the project’s success.”

Visit Aloha Golf on your next golf holiday at Costa del Sol. Marbella boasts fantastic golf courses ready for you.