Address
11310 Sotogrande, Prov de Cadiz,
Sotogrande
Spain
Designer
Robert Trent Jones, Senior.
Championship Length
6,356
Details
The fairways at Valderrama have been described by top pros and leading golf writers as the best in Europe, if not the world. Owner and President Jaime Ortíz-Pati?o took ten years to create Valderrama. In 1987, he took this course, applied the knowledge he had learnt at the USGA greens superintendents' and agronomy sections, and by 1997, he was proudly welcoming the King of Spain to the Ryder Cup opening ceremony. In the meantime he had hosted nine Volvo Masters and gained respect from Europe's top players. Valderrama has risen in the Golf World rankings to become the No.1 golf course in mainland Europe, a position held since 1989.
Designed in 1974 by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., one of the great golf course architects, Valderrama was originally known as "Las Aves". It is not an easy course - nor was it intended to be. It is designed so as to call forth thought and precision for every shot and it has only surrendered below par on a handful of occasions during the Volvo Master. Located in Sotogrande, in the province of Cadiz, Valderrama is a course of great natural beauty. There are now well over 2,000 cork oak trees, 500 olive trees, more than 3,000 mature Halipensis pines and many of these oaks and olives are several hundred years old. The 17th hole on Valderrama is named 'Las Gabiones'. It is also the most talked about hole on the course. Remodeled by Seve Ballesteros and measuring almost 500 yards from the Championship tees, it has been the scene of many dramatic moments, most recently in the 1997 Ryder Cup and in the World Championship events in 1999 and 2000. All shots need accuracy and good distance judgment, especially the second one, as the third shot over the water to the green is probably the most exciting shot of the day for any visiting golfer.
In 1999 and 2000, Valderrama hosted the first two editions of the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship, which were won by Tiger Woods and Mike Weir respectively. The tone for the Ryder Cup event was set by Seve Ballesteros, the Europe captain, when he walked the course with John Paramor, the chief tournament director. "I found everything perfect," he said. "It's impossible to imagine a golf course in better condition". The recent rebuilding and redecoration of the Valderrama Clubhouse was completed and ready to show off to members and visitors at the Volvo Masters Andalucía in November 2002. Among the facilities boasted by Valderrama are its Golf Shop and Golf Museum. The Valderrama president was for many years a noted collector of fine art, including French Impressionist Art and fine silvers. His collection of art is on display in the redesigned Clubhouse. Additional facilities offered by the club include buggy, club and caddie rental, a superb driving range, a putting and a pitching green. Valderrama's challenge is limited to Club members and 36 visiting golfers per day so bear in mind, you need to book very early in advance to get a game.
In a recent Golf Digest world survey golfers were asked to name the one course they'd play for the rest of their lives. Augusta was first. Second came Pebble Beach, and third? Valderrama.
Location
From either Marbella or Algeciras turn off the N-340 at Km 131 and take the exit marked Sotogrande-Guadiaro-Castellar.
Nearby Restaurants
The restaurant at the Valderrama club house is open for dinner on Thursday and Friday evenings and for the Buffet Lunch on Sundays.
El Gaucho, Galerias Paniagua, 4. Sotogrande, 11310 San Roque, Cadiz. Tel: (34) 956 795 528. This Argentinean grill offers some of the best barbecued meats on the Coast. The mixed grill is excellent value.
Zaldia, situated in the port of Sotogrande and is an excellent place to have dinner. Decorated with old equestrian and polo photographs, it has a rather colonial ambience. Fish and meat are cooked in front of you on the grill. Tel: (34) 956 790 121
Venta Toledo, Guadiaro. Tel: 956 614 248. Situated in the town of Guadiaro, this restaurant serves excellent fresh seafood.
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