Well we sympathizes with all you who had their local courses scorched and dry as a bone. Meanwhile after a humid spring our Phoenix golf courses are as green and lush as ever!
September will be an extremely busy month for golf with many taking advantage of the Ryder Cup at the end of September to play and watch the tournament after their games. As ever, our advise for those planning a trip for 2019 is to contact us as soon as possible as there is value to be had by booking early and of course a better chance of obtaining these plum tee-times.
New Golf Club Rental from Golf Experience directly
In reply to continued demand for a wider range of club rentals we have now included sets of Taylor Made clubs (M4) steel & graphite – ladies & gents. So if you are considering leaving your clubs at home we can now offer you, in addition to our Wilson range of clubs the very popular Taylor Made M4 (full sets of 14 clubs). Rental prices are €25 per day or €70 a week.
Taylor Made M4
New course in Estepona to Open in 2018
Doña Lucia – due to open in later 2018
Doña Lucia Golf in Estepona (Costa del Sol) is one of the few golf courses currently under construction in Spain. The course was designed by Stirling & Martin, of Global Golf Company, and is being built by one of Spain’s top international golf course construction companies, GTM Golf.
Doña Lucia – work in progress.
For those of you familiar with the courses on the Costa,Doña Lucia borders Valle Romano to the west. Started in 2006 but was put on hold due to the economic crisis. Last year the developer Azata, owner of the land and real estate development, decided to re-launch the project.
“At the time, the course design was slightly more difficult, but now Stirling & Martin have re-designed the layout so it is more interesting and attractive for the average player. So we will keep you informed of progress and perhaps its one to play in 2019.
Dona Lucia New Course. You can Visit It Here
El Paraiso Golf Course Improvements
Over the last 2 years El Paraiso Golf Club has invested a lot of money to improve the golf course and club house facilities so that clients can experience a high standard of maintenance and service. The most significant improvements over the last couple of years include.
Hole number 14
New green re -designed by Steve McFarlane the senior designer of Gary Player.
Opened today the 2nd of July 2018.
Hole number 12
New green with USGA Specification, 1000m2 surrounds and bunkers.
Rock wall and stones around lake.
Complete fairway renovation in three phases.
Opened in January 2018.
Hole number 2
New green with USGA Specification.
Opened in July 2017.
Short game area
New practice area next to the club house with USGA Specification.
Opened in January 2017.
Other improvements in 2017 & 2018:
New tees on hole 2, 5, 7,10 & 13.
New target greens on the driving range.
New terrace of the clubhouse.
New stone bridges on hole number 8, 12 & 18.
New toilet on the 14th tee.
Hotel News
A small but welcome “softness” has recently become apparent in the accommodation sector in Spain. After a couple of years of unprecedented good times when finding rooms were often very difficult to obtain we are now seeing a welcome return to some “special offers” to help fill certain slack periods.
Atalaya Park Hotel – renamed “Sol Marbella Estepona Atalaya Park” (a bit of a mouthful!)
Due to have reopened in April the Atalaya Park Hotel finally reopened its doors in Mid July after a massive refurbishment. There is still some work to be done which is scheduled for next winter! The 463 room landmark hotel is now managed by the Melia Group.
Sol Marbella Estepona Atalaya Park – Reception
Sol Atalaya Sun Terrace
New 5 star in Marbella. “Nobu Hotel” & restaurant comes to Marbella.
The Asian themed “Nobu Hotel” and restaurant recently opened its doors in Marbella. While the renowned and fast growing international brand will be a welcome addition to the Marbella hotel sector it won’t add any new bedrooms.
This is because the Nobu has been carved out of the existing and excellent 5 star Puente Romano Hotel. The latter which was extensively renovated last year forfeited a block of its rooms and its old reception to form the nucleus of the new Nobu Hotel. So it’s a little like a hotel within a hotel.
The wonderful Plaza restaurant area is common to both.
Nobu Hotel
Nobu Restaurant & chef Nobu Matsuhisa
Nobu Hotels now open in Marbella
Club Med to reopen Marbella’s landmark Don Miguel Hotel in 2019
The Don Miguel first opened in 1975 near the town center.
Arab investors, who bought the 466-room hotel in 2013, have partnered with the French luxury family holiday operator, who will now rename the property.
One of Marbella’s original hotels from the 1970s is set for a 70-million renovation after being closed for over ten years. The Hotel Don Miguel, behind the resort’s old town near the bus station, is set to reopen in 2019 after Arab investors, who bought the abandoned property in 2013 under the name Magna Hotels & Resorts, reached a deal with top French hotel operator, Club Med.
Club Med specialises in high-end all-inclusive family holidays and is ironically the same brand that operated the hotel until 2000, before eventually pulling out of the country. The hotel will now be rebranded.
The reopening will mark Club Med’s return to Spain, explained the operator’s project director, Gregory Lanter at a presentation in front of Marbella’s mayor José Bernal recently.
Magna Hotels invited 23 different operators to bid for the running of their empty property before finally choosing Club Med. A full refurbishment is now under way and the opening will create some 300 new jobs.
Staff changes at Golf Experience
Well it is with great regret that we announce the departure of Tracey from Golf Experience . Tracey and her husband Paul are returning to England after 17 years on the Costa. Anyone who had any dealings with Tracey will vouch for her utter professionalism which was always delivered with a great big smile!.
Tracey will be sadly missed not just by us but by the entire ex-pat golf community on the Coast. On the other hand – Tracey WILL miss the fine weather !!
Tracey Allies – Will be sadly missed
Lorena Trapero
We are delighted to announce the arrival of Lorena (Spanish) who comes to us from a long career in the Golf Hospitality sector on the Costa. Lorena previously managed the Golf desk at the Golf Hotel Guadalmina and the Golf Reservations desk at the Atalaya Park hotel.
Lorena Trapero (Finally we have an excel expert!)
Michael Lovett (RIP)
Many of you will have known Michael Lovett – brother of our colleague Gerry. Michael departed this world on June 22nd he died suddenly at his home in La Duquesa.
To describe Michael as a long standing pillar of Irish society (both business and social) on the Costa del Sol would not be an exaggeration. Michael was heavily involved in and passionate about golf. His pub in Duquesa port – The Cork Tree” has the most active Golf Society in the area. Michael was a member of San Roque and Guadalmina Clubs.
Michael, was everyone’s problem solver and the go to person when you wanted a word of advice or comfort on just about any issue. One of those people whose nature was just to help his fellow man in whatever way he could. In true Irish fashion he got a great send off with a fitting celebration of his all too short life with much song and reminiscing.
Michael – Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís