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When it comes to golf holidays, Spain has many options but its southern region of Andalucía is a first class destination choice. It really doesn’t matter whether you are a pro or you are just starting out in the game, Spain is a haven for players of this sport, regardless of ability. Above and beyond the fabulous weather and reliable visibility, you will find many more reasons to pick up your clubs in this Mediterranean paradise. Golf is big business all over the country and the number of courses you find everywhere, from coastal resorts to mountainous regions to urban conurbations, proves it. If you are looking for golf holidays, Spain’s Andalucía is a great place to start looking. Here are some interesting facts about the sport in this area that might explain why it is so popular. Did You Know? Sergio Garcia has close ties with Andalucía The famous pro, Sergio Garcia has ties with this part of Spain. His mother is from Almeria and his sister was born there too. Sergio started playing at the age of three and reached World No 2 in 2008. His favourite courses in the region include Valderrama, Real Club de Sotogrande and Finca Cortesin. Did you know the British gave golf to Spain? Football is not the only game the British are famous for taking around the world. We also introduced golf to Spain, bringing it to Andalucía in the late 19th century when the mineworkers in the Rio Tinto mine ‘colony’ played it in their spare time. Corta Atalaya was the location of the first Spanish course and clubhouse, built in 1914. It has since been rebuilt and is a course people often head to for their golf holidays. Spain’s Andalucía has world famous courses This region is home to some of the world’s most renowned clubs. Valderrama in Sotogrande is arguably the best in the world. Set among 2,000 cork oak trees, the 18 holes were carefully designed in and around the ancient woodland so as to preserve the natural beauty. A par-71 course, designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1974, the club passed through several hands before being bought by a consortium headed by Greg Norman. Today, the Valderrama Masters is held here, among other prestigious tournaments. There are diverse landscapes You can play this sport in every kind of environment in this part of Spain, which is why it is so famous for its golf holidays. Spain’s southern landscapes range from deserts to mountains and coasts. One day you might be playing among flowering cacti at the Desert Springs Golf Club while the next you might be playing under the shadow of a mountain range at Alhaurin. Some of the coastal courses, such as Los Flamingos and El Rompido are nothing short of spectacular. Cordoba is home to Spain’s first public course The beautiful province of Cordoba is well known as being the birthplace of the municipal golf course in Spain. Located in the tiny town of Pozoblanco, the facility was built in 1984. It is a 9-hole course nestled into the Cabeza Oliva Nature reserve and is something the locals are very proud of; it took them a lot of work to convince the authorities of its worth. If you are left feeling inspired to pack up the clubs and head out to this lovely part of Spain, why not book with a specialist travel company and start planning your trip sooner rather than later? Author Plate Steve Frewin is the Managing Director of A Golfing Experience, a company with more than 29 years experience organising bespoke golf holidays and escapes throughout Europe for individuals, societies and groups. If you're looking for truly great golf holidays, Spain is one of our top destinations. We also operate in all the other major European golf destinations and, if you'd like to explore options further afield, we can arrange holidays to the world's greatest golf courses in The Caribbean, Mauritius, Bermuda and USA.
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