Real Club de Golf Guadalhorce, the historic Malaga club will host the final of the Ladies European Tour from 28th November to 1st December, where the best players on the European circuit will congregate. This gives a clear indication of the quality of a course that in recent years has focused greatly on improving its facilities, but also on offering an unrivalled experience to its members and visitors.
The Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf, located next to Malaga airport, and just fifteen minutes from the centre of the Andalusian town, will be the setting for the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España 2024 presented by Oysho, a tournament which, as has been the tradition since 2020, will close the Ladies European Tour season.
The course was inaugurated in 1989, designed by Kosti Kuronen and redesigned by Miguel Ángel Jiménez in 2007. The Guadalhorce course is a par 72, with a shorter and more technical first nine holes and a longer back nine with water hazards. The greens stand out for their design and size, which will surely be an exciting challenge for players such as Carlota Ciganda or Azahara Muñoz, winner of the tournament on two occasions.
Since 2019, Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf has been implementing significant improvements in all technical aspects of the course. These include the renewal of machinery, essential to maintain a high level of maintenance and ensure that the course is kept in optimal conditions; the upgrading of the ante greens with 22,000 m² of Bermuda 419 and golfing 2.000m² of Agrostis, which has significantly improved the quality of the playing surfaces and provides a better experience; extensive drainage cleaning has been undertaken in all bunkers and new soil added, which has significantly enhanced the playability and aesthetics of the course; a new 500m² putting green and a 2,000m² chipping green have been created, providing players with more and better options to practice and perfect their game; a platform of 2,000m² of Bermuda Tahoma has been installed on the driving range, improving the practice surface and providing optimal conditions for learning the game; 1,770m² of buggy paths have been constructed, improving accessibility and comfort for players; and the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 15th and 17th tees have been refurbished, both in design and in the implementation of a new variety of Bermuda 419 grass, improving the consistency and quality of the course; in the area of sustainability, the club has acquired 50 Ezgo RXV lithium buggies, reinforcing the club’s commitment to the environment and offering a more comfortable and modern playing experience and solar panels have been installed with an output of 80 kW which will produce considerable energy savings.
The design of the Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf, built on the grounds of the Cortijo Colmenares, a former residence of the Marquises of Larios in the 18th century, is complemented by a very special clubhouse, an authentic Andalusian farmhouse that has preserved a small chapel, but which has been modernised with various sports facilities.
In 2017, after 30 years of history, His Majesty King Felipe VI awarded the club the title of “Real Club”, an honour that reflects the importance and prestige of this institution in the Spanish sporting panorama. King Emeritus Juan Carlos I is the club’s honorary president, further underlining its status and legacy.
The Real Club de Golf Guadalhorce not only focuses on the present, but also looks to the future with a clear vision and commitment to excellence and sustainability. Continuous improvements to its facilities, adoption of green technologies and organisation of high-class events are testament to its dedication to offering the very best to its members and visitors.