The Costa del Sol has established itself as an ideal destination for many important sporting events: Sotogrande is now an essential stop on the International polo calendar; Marbella is a regular host of the Senior Masters Cup for tennis; the roads of Andalucía have formed part of the cycling route of Spain’s La Vuelta.
However, it’s the game of golf that is the absolute sporting king in the region.The perfect climate and beautiful landscape of the Costa del Sol create sublime conditions for building first-class golf courses and playing the sport. From Mijas to Estepona there are literally dozens of clubs that offer the public all levels of golf, and event organisers a choice of star quality venues to host competitions.
Local and regional authorities respect the positive economic opportunities that this situation offers Marbella and the towns neighbouring municipalities. It’s no surprise that Marbella’s town hall has recently approved sponsorship package to pitch for the next Solheim Cup. Councilors have taken the popularity of the women’s team event seriously and have agreed to a budget of 22 million euros, which will also be
supported by regional and provincial governments.
If the bid is successful, the Solheim 2023 Tournament will be an incredible asset to the area. The competition is the sister event to the Ryder Cup, contested by teams from America and Europe, and now a very important date in the world of golf. Older sports enthusiasts, who watched the first Ryder Cup to be contested in continental Europe in 1997, will have vivid memories of the joyous event being contested here.
It was the first year that Tiger Woods competed in the competition and the legendary Seve Ballesteros lead Europe to a historic win on the glorious greens of Valderrama Golf Club, in Sotogrande.
However it’s not all star-studded clubs like Valderrama on the Costa del Sol, and the normal golfing community has access to incredible courses at reasonable prices right across the region. In addition to the quality and beauty of the fairways available are the breathtaking views out to the Mediterranean sea, and above to majestic mountain landscapes.
Although golf is popular throughout the year in this part of Spain, the unofficial golf season starts with enthusiasm each September and finishes at the end of April. During these months the public can access
fantastic deals to play the game at every level, from the simple driving ranges of San Pedro Golf Club to the spectacular course of Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club.
There is something for everyone.
And if watching is your preferred choice of participation, you can attend an event like the National Ranking of Pitch & Putt 2019 at Aloha Golf,, which will be hosting this year’s final on the 16th & 17th of November.
Golf is part of the wonderful outdoor lifestyle that exists on the Costa del Sol and another great reason why so many people choose to live or make a trip to this part of Spain.
