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A Mini Recap of How This Story Came to Be
In late 2019, just before the world flipped upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic, I had grand plans to introduce a new venture called Sandbanks Travel. The idea was to combine my passions for travel, food, and golf, offering wine and food tours across Europe, as well as specialized golf vacations for those looking to escape Canada's cold winters.
My first "research" trip for this new endeavor took me to the Costa del Sol, a stunning stretch of Spain’s Mediterranean coastline, renowned for its world-class golf courses.
With over 70 courses to choose from, I figured this would be the perfect spot to kick off Sandbanks Travel’s golf getaways.
I returned from that trip excited to share my experience and launch the new business. But then, like many plans in early 2020, mine were shelved by the pandemic. The dream of offering golf escapes was put on hold.
What hasn’t faded, though, are the memories of that trip. It’s one I still think about often.
So, four years later, I’m finally publishing the golf blog I wrote just before the world shut down. I hope you enjoy reliving this unforgettable golf trip to southern Spain as much as I did.
My Golf Trip to Spain’s Costa del Sol
In late November 2019, I flew to the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain to play the last 5 rounds of 2019 and they were very special rounds that I will not soon forget. I played Alferini, La Reserva Club, Los Narangos GC, La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa, and the Asia course at La Cala Golf Hotel Spa.
My golf and accommodations were booked for me by Dimas Romero and Marta Casanova, co-founders of Casanova Golf Travel Experts, located in Madrid, Spain. My trip was designed so that I could jump from place to place every 2 nights, allowing me to experience different accommodations and courses in this region. I rented a car and a set of Taylor-Made M6 (irons and woods) at the Malaga Airport and off I went to discover what golf was all about in Spain’s famous Costa del Sol region.
First Stop: Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort
On nights 1 and 2, I stayed at the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort. This place was beyond amazing. I had a deluxe room in the main building they called “The Palace”. They also had one-and two-bedroom villas next to the palace. One of the villas was called “Villa Obama” ever since Michelle & the kids vacationed there a few years back. Included in the nightly rate was an extensive breakfast buffet fit for a king (or queen).
When I was there it was warm and sunny so I could enjoy breakfast on the open-air terrace overlooking the Flamingos golf course with the Mediterranean Sea off in the distance.
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort is in Golf Valley, in the heart of the golden triangle of Marbella, Benahavis, and Estepona. There are full spa services on site so if there is a non-golfer in the crowd, a day at the spa is certainly justified payback if your partner is out enjoying a round of golf.
There are three golf courses on the resort grounds — Alferini, Flamingos, and Tramores. (Tramores is a shorter executive course) I was supposed to play both Flamingos and Alferini but my late arrival meant that I could only play Alferini. It was a beautiful course that meandered through the valleys of this mountainous area with very tight fairways in a few places. The views of the Mediterranean Sea from the elevated tees were amazing.
Second Stop: Hotel Fuerte in Marbella's Old Town
On nights 3 and 4, I stayed at Hotel Fuerte, a well-established beachfront hotel in the heart of Marbella just a few metres from the Plaza de los Naranjos (the old town) which provided a vast selection of great places to enjoy some fantastic food, drink, and shopping.
My room overlooked the beach along the Mediterranean Sea, and I loved being able to sleep with my balcony door open and listen to the waves crashing in. After a fantastic breakfast buffet at Hotel Fuerte, I jumped into my rental and headed south along the Mediterranean coast to Sotogrande to play La Reserva Club.
Before I even got out of my car, I could see that La Reserva Club was a very special place. Once inside the clubhouse, I was greeted by Tomas Ortiz, Golf Sales Manager. Tomas and I enjoyed a morning tea on the patio overlooking the course before I headed over to the practice area to prepare for my round.
La Reserva's fairways are wide and meticulously groomed. The greens are large, fast, and very tricky. Course management and correct club selection is critical to safely navigate around while avoiding water hazards and strategically placed sand traps. Amazing views of the Andalusian Hills and the Mediterranean Sea and even the rock of Gibraltar from several tees. Tomas told me that, on a clear day, you can see the northern tip of Africa across the Adriatic Straight.
La Reserva Club is a definite “MUST PLAY” when visiting this area.
My next golf course was Los Naranjos GC. I had the pleasure of enjoying the round with Pirkko and Pekka, a retired couple from Helsinki, Finland. They love the Costa del Sol area and go there to golf every year.
Los Naranjos was a flatter course than the others on this trip, but it was still tons of fun to play. Lots of water hazards that you must navigate around. Beautiful scenery and estate-like homes lined many of the holes along the way. The staff were super friendly, and the baguette that I purchased at the snack bar was fantastic.
The next day I played a round of 18 holes of golf at The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa. The young guy at the pro shop suggested that I walk since most of their members walked. I took him up on his suggestion and walked the front nine (course C) and it just about killed me. Hilliest course I have ever played. Much hillier than Shelter Valley Pines Golf Club in Grafton, Ontario.
Stopped for a nice lunch at the turn and got a golf cart for the back nine (course B). About the same number of hills but ok when riding.
Third Stop: La Cala Golf Resort & Spa
For my final two nights, nights 5 & 6, I stayed at La Cala Golf Resort Spa, which is just 20 minutes outside of Marbella and 30 minutes from the Malaga airport. I played 18 holes at La Cala’s Campo Asia. By far, the hilliest course played to date. Not good for golfers with bad knees. It was so crazy hilly that it was quite fun. Greens were fast and tough. Starter told me that Americana was the most popular course, followed by Asia and then Europa. Americana is as hilly as Asia, but the fairways are wider. Europa is the hilliest, toughest, and longest.
You can drive your golf cart from the parking lot of the hotel to their three courses and visa versa for getting and dropping off clubs. It was a busy place, but Asia was wide open, so it could handle lots of golfers. Beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea were available from some holes.
So there you have it. Two nights at three different golf resorts and five rounds of golf.
I should also mention that before golfing along the Costa del Sol coast of Spain, I visited Barcelona for a few nights there before flying down to Malaga Airport. Visiting Barcelona was a wonderful part of the trip that I would like to repeat as well.
I am booked for a three-week golf getaway to Algarve Region, Portugal's most southern region. I hope to be reporting back on some of the 20 plus golf courses in that region.
Do you have a favourite golf destination that you would like to share with The Hungry Golfer's readers? We would love to hear from you.
Please contact Richard at thehungrygolferquinte@gmail.com for further information