Golf course Valderrama

The world famous Valderrama championship course is known as “The Augusta of Europe”. It was designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Snr. and played host to the Ryder Cup in 1997. It was listed as the number one golf course in Spain by Golf Digest Magazine (USA) in 2005 and is synonomous with prestige. Each hole has six tees and was designed with golfers of all handicaps in mind, but the crosswinds make it a tough course to conquer. It is kept in immaculate condition and a challenging round is guaranteed each and every time. The par five 17th is the signature hole,featuring strategically placed bunkers behind a green that slopes forward towards an emerald lake. It has been the setting for many a title won and lost.

The world renowned course was originally opened as Las Aves and was bought in 1984 by Jaime Ortiz-Patino. He, together with Robert Trent Jones Snr., completely overhauled the course, rebuilding it according to full USGA regulations. The course was renamed Valderrama, after the ancient estate upon which the land is situated. The pair shared a common aim: to create a course that would present a test of golf to the everyday golfer and the first-class player alike, and would bring out the best golf that is in him. Valderrama has since risen in the Golf World rankings to become the No.1 golf course in mainland Europe, a position proudly held since 1989.

Between 1988 and 1996, the Volvo Masters was played at the club, and in 1997 it was host to the 32nd Ryder Cup. In 1999 and 2000, the World Golf Championships and American Express Championships were both held at the venue, and. in November 2002 it was host to the Volvo Masters Andalucia. It holds the No.1 European ranking in Golf World (Golf World is a magazine or orgnization? If not it should be ‘the golf world’). It was also designed as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and in 1997 it was one of only 543 courses in the world to receive this honor. By 1999, Real Club Valderrama was rated the top course in mainland Europe by Golf World magazine.

We recommend walking the course. The front nine is a fairly easy stroll among the beautiful trees, and although the back nine is a decidedly tougher walk we feel that you will really get the most out of your round if you are able to take your time and enjoy the whole experience by foot rather than speeding round in a buggy!