Custom Golf Trips to Spain with Haversham & Baker
In the middle part of the 20th century, a bit of brilliant marketing transformed a relatively sleepy port area in southern Spain into one of the great destinations of Europe. The explosion of growth that followed brought with it a variety of posh resorts and championship golf courses, both looking to capitalize on 320 days a year of Mediterranean sunshine. To this day, the traveler in search of excellent golf and an abundance of Vitamin D is hard-pressed to find a destination equal to the Costa del Sol.
When it comes to great golf, the choices are many on the Costa del Sol. The San Roque development features two courses by Perry Dye and Dave Thomas, each with a little insight from Seve Ballesteros. Nearby, the courses at Finca Cortesin and La Reserva de Sotogrande have each recently hosted European Tour events, while the aforementioned New Course at San Roque has served as a venue for the Spanish Open. But the headliners of the Costa del Sol both come courtesy of architect Robert Trent Jones. The Real Club de Sotogrande is the patriarch of golf in the region, earning it the “Royal” title from King Juan Carlos I. Of course, the main attraction here is Valderrama, where Seve Ballesteros led his team to victory in the 1997 Ryder Cup; the first played in Continental Europe.
In addition to the golf, the Good Life here is truly exceptional. The Costa del Sol features a vibrant gastronomy scene. It’s also a stone’s throw from Gibraltar and its famous rock, as well as the ancient sites of the city of Malaga. The Moroccan coast is just a short ferry ride away, providing additional sightseeing opportunities on the other side of the Mediterranean.
Although the Iberian Peninsula is home to two other excellent golfing regions – the Algarve and the Sintra area on the outskirts of Lisbon – attempting to add these to a weeklong Spanish itinerary is a bit too aggressive. Save the golfing regions of Portugal for your next Expedition. But for this time around, the Costa del Sol promises to deliver a wealth of Golf, the Good Life, and sunshine.
Explore the Courses
Valderrama Golf Club
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