Villa Padierna Golf Club reaffirms its commitment to quality, sustainability, innovation and new generations of golfers. To this end, it has carried out a series of reforms that have improved the playability of the course, the golfer’s experience and the management of resources. In short, a commitment to the game of golf in all its aspects, which is also helping to promote the game among the new generations by hosting the World Junior Golf Championship for the second time.
Located in Benahavís, between the towns of Marbella and Estepona, the club is one of the most popular on the Costa del Sol. Its three 18-hole courses, designed by Cristóbal Guerrero and Antonio García Garrido, offer unique challenges and breathtaking views from every hole, driving range and academy.
Innovation and sustainability for a better playing experience
Villa Padierna Golf Club continues its commitment to innovation and improvement of its infrastructure with a series of reforms aimed at improving the player’s experience in all areas.
One of the most outstanding innovations is the reform and enlargement of the teeing grounds on the par 3 of holes 2 and 16 of Flamingos. These improvements have been designed to optimise the playing experience by providing wider and more comfortable surfaces for golfers.
In terms of technology, the Clapphouse application has been implemented, a tool that will improve communication between the club and players. With this application, users will be able to manage reservations, receive notifications and access relevant information about the club quickly and efficiently.
Another important innovation is the introduction of new formulas for maintaining the greens. From 2025, Villa Padierna Golf Club will use Hidrojet technology, a system that improves the life of the grass and reduces maintenance costs, guaranteeing optimal playing conditions for longer.
The club has also renewed its driving range equipment with new Wilson balls, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in the training of its players.
Finally, Villa Padierna Golf Club is continuing with its ambitious project to replant its centenary olive trees. More than 200 new specimens will be planted, mainly in Flamingos and Alferini, contributing to the preservation of the environment and the integration of the course into the landscape. These changes will improve the aesthetics of the course and have a positive impact on the environment.
New generation golfers
Villa Padierna Golf Club hosted the third edition of the World Junior Golf Championship (WJGC) from 19 to 21 February 2025, attracting 214 players from 37 countries and consolidating its position as one of the most important competitions in the international junior golf schedule.
The tournament took place on two of the resort’s three courses, which will also host the 2024 edition. These courses have hosted professional tournaments on the European Senior Tour and Ladies European Tour, which gives an idea of their quality. Alferini enjoys a peaceful setting in a valley surrounded by mountains and one of the few par-73 courses on the Costa del Sol. It was designed by Spanish architect Antonio Garcia Garrido. The 18-hole course is considered technical – demanding length and accuracy – with long fairways and wide greens. The resort’s original golf green and one of the most picturesque on the Costa del Sol is Flamingos. Overlooking the Mediterranean as far as Gibraltar and Africa, the greens are generous in size, while the fairways are narrow, especially on the first half of the course.
In addition to the quality of the courses, golfers enjoyed the mild climate of the Costa del Sol, perfect for playing golf at any time of the year. The quality of golf on display was outstanding, reflecting the growing prestige of the tournament on the junior scene.
The competition was stroke play with several categories from under 7 to 18 years old. In the men’s 16-18 age group, England’s Jonnie Summerfield was crowned champion with a total of 226 strokes (+7), four strokes ahead of compatriot Jamie Jackson. In the women’s competition, Hong Kong’s 13-year-old Sabrina Wong, who plays in a higher age group, topped the combined leaderboard and improved her position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) from 720th to 623rd.