5 Reasons Why Murcia is a Travelling Golfer’s Paradise
When considering a golfing trip to Murcia you can be sure that your key holiday bullet points are all well covered.
First, the weather will be superb for golf, in an area renowned for having more than 300 days of sunshine a year and justifiably known as the “Warm Coast” (“Costa Cálida”).
Second, you will be able to play at a different club every day, as the region has 22 outstanding courses – both inland and in its popular coastal resorts.
Third, away from the fairways you will have plenty of other leisure activities to keep you – and any non-golfing companions – fully entertained, from nautical activities to hiking in the mountains.
Fourth, the region offers a diverse and extensive selection of accommodation options, from five-star luxury hotels by the beach to rustic boutique hotels surrounded by stunning nature parks.
And finally, closing out our top five reasons for planning a getaway on the Costa Cálida, for golfing foodies and wine-lovers Murcia truly is a gastronomic jewel. The region was Spain’s official “Capital of Gastronomy” in 2020 and 2021, in recognition of its exceptional Mediterranean cuisine and three “Denomination of Origin” wine regions: Bullas, Jumilla and Yecla.
Reigning US Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick To Defend Title at Valderrama
Winning at Royal Valderrama last year meant Matt Fitzpatrick could tick off another achievement on his career bucket list. He had always wanted to win at the renowned Sotogrande course, and he was delighted when victory last year in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters gave him his seventh European Tour title.
This year, he made it eight – the most important of all, his first major – in the US Open. Continue reading
Spectacular New Opening Grandstand Hole for 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesín
Finca Cortesín has officially unveiled a new opening hole at the Casares course as the 365-day countdown to next year’s Solheim Cup begins. Announcing the change to the course – part of a general revamp and upgrade overseen by original designer Cabell B. Robinson – the tournament organisers said, “The ambience on the first hole of the Solheim Cup is unlike any other golf tournament. The atmosphere and the decibels created by the European and American fans with their chants, music and colours mean that at that moment, the spectacle is turned from the golfers to the stands.” Continue reading
Countdown to 2023: Solheim Cup Another Historic First for Costa del Golf
The 2023 Solheim Cup will be the final link of a cycle that began with the designation of the “Costa del Golf” in 1997. The name was coined in the lead up to that year’s historic Ryder Cup at Valderrama, with signs appearing along the coast declaring, “Costa del Sol-Costa del Golf”.
Twenty-five years later, the Costa is home to 70 golf courses, the most of any similar-sized region in Europe, extending for 120 kilometres from the Axarquía area east of Málaga city to Sotogrande – actually in Cádiz province but customarily grouped under the Costa del Sol moniker by local tourism authorities. Continue reading
Updated rates to fly with golf clubs according to the different airlines
We have updated again our table of rates to travel with golf clubs. There hasn’t been that many variations in prices since the last update.
Take into account that in the majority of cases it is cheaper to prebook in advance, and it is very important to remember that the payment is usually per trip. Payment at the airport is usually more expensive than doing it beforehand online.
Regarding the golf clubs to transport them, invest in a good travel bag, preferably rigid, since this way they will be more protected. Pack your clubs carefully, if you use a soft tissue travel bag, protect your clubs by wrapping them with cloth, towels or bubble wrap.
If you want to travel lighter of luggage and more comfortable, we can offer you the possibility to rent golf clubs in almost all destinations.
How to repair pitch marks
Are you one of those who bends down?
We all like to find a “carpet” when we reach the green. An unrepaired pitch mark could take up to four weeks to recover, or just one or two days if repaired right on the spot. As well as being aware of the golfing etiquette of bending down, it is also important to know how to repair a pitch mark correctly.
In this video, recorded at a course with some of the best greens in the world, Royal Valderrama Club, you can see how the professionals repair pitch marks.
And you – do you bend down?
Offer updated at Villaitana
We have updates our hotel with golf offer at Meliá Villaitana until the end of October 2023!!
If you book for the months of May and June you can take advantage of the group offer, 1 free in groups of 8 with only a 3 night stay (in other seasons the groups offer is valid for a minimum of 4 night stay)
Two Catalunya Events Added to 2022 DP World Tour Schedule
The Catalan region will be hosting two new events on this year’s DP World Tour. The Spanish double-header begins with the ISPS Handa Championship at Infinitum (Tarragona) from April 21 to 24, followed by the Catalunya Championship at PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness (Girona) from April 28 to May 1. Each tournament will have a prize fund of US$2 million.
Previously known as Lumine, Infinitum Golf was a second stage Qualifying School venue from 2012 until it succeeded PGA Catalunya as host venue for the Qualifying School final from 2017 to 2019.
A European Tour Destination, PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness was the Qualifying School final venue for nine consecutive years from 2008 to 2016, and it has also hosted four full Tour events: the 1999 Sarazen World Open won by Thomas Bjørn, and three Open de España events, in 2000, 2009 and 2014. In winning the latter, Miguel Ángel Jiménez extended his own record as the Tour’s oldest winner – to 50 years and 133 days.
Two other events on the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) are scheduled for Spain this year: the Acciona Open de España Presented by Madrid from 6 to 9 October at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid; and the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters from 13-16 October at Royal Valderrama Club. The week of 20-23 October is currently open for a yet-to-be-confirmed European event which may also be held in Spain.
Special offer in Villaitana (Costa Blanca) for December
We are launching a special offer on the Costa Blanca. If you don’t already know Meliá Villaitana this is your chance. If you do, you will surely want to come back.
From 126€ per person you can take advantage of the long weekend in December for a two-night break to Benidorm or turn it into a 5-night mini holiday for only 315€ with daily golf!
Official Presentation of EDAM at Royal Valderrama Club
The traditional press conference to present the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters was held today at Royal Valderrama Club. The official presentation was presided over by Valderrama general manager Javier Reviriego, the deputy minister for tourism with the Junta de Andalucía (regional government), Manuel Alejandro Cardenete, a representative of San Roque Town Hall and Pablo Mansilla, president of the Royal Andalucian Golf Federation.
Confirming the previously announced news that Jon Rahm would be teeing up in the tournament, Javier Reviriego thanked the world number one for his support. He also referred to measures adopted by the club as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, replacing some lateral grass areas with pine bark, commonly known as “munch”, and noted that the plan was to maintain the course’s high level of difficulty for this year’s tournament. Reviriego once again emphasised, without going into details, that Valderrama’s objective was to ensure that the tournament continued to grow in the future, indicating that he “hopes to have news soon” and adding that , if rumours of a joint circuit between the European Tour and U.S. PGA Tour materialised, he envisaged Valderrama being one of the venues.
Meanwhile, deputy minister for tourism Manuel Alejandro Cardenete highlighted data on tourism’s solid recovery in recent months, surpassing Cataluña for the first time as the premier national destination, and forecast a total of five million visitors during the autumn period.
Jon Rahm Returns to Valderrama
World number one and reigning U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm confirmed back in August that he would return to Royal Valderrama Club this year.
In his last appearance at Valderrama in 2019, Rahm finished runner-up to Christiaan Bezuidenhout in that year’s edition of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.
“I have some unfinished business at Valderrama, that’s for sure,” said Rahm. “As a Spaniard, it’s a golf course where we all want to win. As soon as you arrive you get a real sense of the history of the venue and the great moments that have taken place there over the last 30 years. To be a part of that would really be an honour.
“I’ve had nothing but great experiences of playing in front of home crowds. Spanish golf fans are truly special, and I can’t wait to see them lining the fairways again.”
