Costa del Sol Golf

Golf Merit Plates for Costa del Sol

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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

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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.

Spain’s Top Golf Courses for 2024-2025

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Spain Top Golf Courses

Spain’s Top Golf Courses
The Advisory Council of the Club Leaders Forum has released the results of the 2024–2025 Platinum Club elections, which covered all over the world, Asia-Pacific, and Europe-Middle East areas.

Four golf clubs in Spain are among the top 150 in the world, with renowned facilities like Augusta National Golf Club, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club dominating the list.

– Real Club Valderrama (32nd): This renowned golf club in Sotogrande is known for its challenging course and has hosted the Ryder Cup and the Volvo Masters.

– Real Club de Golf Las Brisas (126th): A golf course located in Marbella, this green is recognised for its beautiful green landscapes and water hazards, providing a one-of-a-kind golfing experience in the heart of the Costa del Sol.

– La Reserva Club Sotogrande (142nd): Another treasure in Sotogrande, this golf club in Costa del Sol features a superb course design set against the Mediterranean backdrop, creating a gorgeous and strong golfing landscape.

– Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro (148th): This golf course is located in Madrid. This historic club is renowned for its rich legacy and dedication to maintaining the sport’s past in Spain. It’s closed to the general public and available to members only.

The platinum clubs and honourable mentions were chosen through an open and confidential voting procedure. The accuracy of these results has been confirmed. Clubs with the platinum designation represent the peak of global private clubs. The Advisory Council appoints a prestigious international voting group comprised of professionals and enthusiasts from 22 different countries. This committee uses seven specific criteria to create the gold standard for private club excellence.

Top-tier clubs worldwide embrace these qualities, which include widespread recognition and member quality, as well as facility excellence, superior service standards, management capability, adaptability, and overall experience. They underlie the operational culture and represent best practices, ensuring that awards are only given to organisations that are unwaveringly committed to excellence.

A proprietary point system is used to establish ranks. Panellists assign scores to each club, resulting in a total score. This aggregate score is then averaged depending on the number of panellists who voted for each team, determining its ranking position.

Make sure you visit these top-tier golf courses across Spain with us here at Tee Times Golf Agency. We are always ready to provide you with the best golf holiday options in Spain and Portugal.