Tee Times

La Cala Golf Resort: a paradise in The Costa del Sol

Posted on by

Located in the Sierra de Mijas hills, with panoramic views of the Andalusian countryside and the Mediterranean, La Cala Golf Resort stands as a mecca on the Costa del Sol, just 30 minutes from Malaga International Airport. Designed by renowned architect Cabell B. Robinson, the resort offers three championship courses challenging even the most experienced golfers.

With its four-star hotel and 107 rooms, the resort becomes an idyllic refuge for golf fans. In addition, it has one of the most renowned spas in Spain and offers an exceptional gastronomic experience with four restaurants and various bars.

Nestled between the impressive Sierra de Mijas Natural Park and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, La Cala Golf Resort is an authentic oasis of tranquillity for those looking for the best Spain golf breaks. Despite its serene atmosphere, it is strategically located 20 minutes from Marbella and just 10 minutes from the beachfront of the Costa del Sol.

This destination is more than a golfer’s paradise for Spain golf holidays. As well as offering exceptional golf courses, it is the perfect base to explore Andalusia and an ideal location for luxurious holidays or corporate and family events.

 

La Cala Golf Resort: unique challenges and natural beauty

The resort is proud of its three golf courses: Campo América, Campo Asia and Campo Europa. Meticulously designed by Cabell Robinson, each offers a unique experience in a natural setting of rolling landscapes and rich biodiversity.

Campo América: Previously known as Campo Norte, it offers stunning views of the Sierra de Ojén and the Mediterranean. Its wide layout, with few bunkers, provides a balanced challenge.

Campo Asia: The oldest and most challenging, it has short and narrow fairways. It is recognised by golf professionals and includes 4 par 5 holes requiring exceptional skills.

Campo Europa: Wider and suitable for mid-level players, it stands out for its design with wide fairways and flatter terrain. Its 14th hole, bordering on a par 3, and the par 5 11th hole, the longest at 524 meters, are notable.

 

La Cala Golf Academy

La Cala Golf Resort is home to La Cala Golf Academy, where multilingual professionals teach individual and group classes for all levels. With complete facilities, this academy, next to the par 3 golf course, offers an ideal environment to learn or perfect the game.

In collaboration with Tee Times Golf Agency, La Cala Golf Resort is presented as an outstanding destination for unforgettable Spain golf holidays with significant events week by week, like Valentine’s Day Special Dinner (February 14th), the “Día de Andalucía” (February 28th) and St. Patrick’s Day Golf Tournament (March 17th), among others.

Its culinary philosophy, based on fresh, high-quality products, and its unique activities throughout the year make this resort an unbeatable option for lovers of golf and the good life. Discover La Cala Golf Resort with our best golf packages and live a memorable golf experience on the Costa del Sol!

The road to 125 years of golf in Portugal: a journey through time

Posted on by

Golf in Portugal has a rich history that dates back almost 125 years. The story began in 1890 when the Oporto Niblicks Golf Club, now Oporto Golf Club, emerged as the first course on the Iberian Peninsula and the fifth in continental Europe. 24 members gave life to the founding golf club in Portugal.

Initially enjoyed by Britons who had left their country, golf found its home near the mouth of the Douro River in Porto. By 1900, the golf course had expanded from 9 holes to 18. As the 20th century progressed, Lisbon also embraced golf, and the Lisbon Sports Club and Estoril Club created their courses, expanding the niche.

Today, the Oporto Golf Club honours its history. Its undulating holes wind through the Portuguese geography with the same charm as the holes on the best courses in the United Kingdom. Philip Mackenzie Ross remodelled the course in the late 1950s and was responsible for maintaining the original imprint.

 

Sir Henry Cotton’s vision to transform golf in Portugal

In the 1960s, Sir Henry Cotton’s vision transformed the Algarve by introducing the Penina Resort Championship course. At this crucial moment, it integrated golf into the region’s tourism offering, laying the foundation for future developments. Cotton also designed Vale do Lobo and one of the golf jewels in the south of the Algarve: Quinta de Benamor. A par 71 of 6,100 yards that shines among hills and leafy trees.

The late 1970s and 1980s saw a boom in golf courses in the Algarve, with iconic designs such as Palmares, Vilamoura Old Course, and San Lorenzo enriching the landscape. At the end of the 1980s, Portugal had 23 courses.

The 1990s saw a golf boom, which doubled the number of courses, surpassing 50 in the millennium. The Algarve remained a hotspot, but other regions, including the north, the central continent, Madeira and the Azores, joined the golf scene. In that decade, we founded Tee Times Golf Agency, offering Portugal golf breaks to worldwide golfers who began hiring our services.

As The Clubhouse Algarve Magazine explains, Oporto Golf Club proudly claims the Skeffington Cup, created in 1891, to be one of the world’s oldest continuously contested golf trophies. This rich history illustrates the development of the sport, becoming an integral part of Portugal’s culture and sport.

In 2024, we commemorate 75 years of the Portuguese Golf Federation as we approach the celebration of the 125 years of the Oporto Golf Club. Golf in Portugal is an example of a harmonious coexistence between sport and nature, with spectacular golf courses that serve as a perfect transition between land and sea. The century we live in promises to add more colour and personality to Portugal’s golf legacy. And we will be there, providing the best service for those who choose to enjoy their Portugal golf holidays with us.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Portugal’s golf courses offer something for everyone. From the Algarve’s stunning coastal courses to the Oporto’s historical courses, Portugal is a golfing paradise that should be on every golfer’s bucket list. So, why not book your next trip to play golf in Portugal today and experience the country’s rich golfing history for yourself?

Golf in Madeira is preparing to fulfil a dream with Sir Nick Faldo’s support

Posted on by

Thanks to multiple champion Sir Nick Faldo, golf in Madeira has been reinvented once again with the resurgence of the Ponta do Pargo Golf Course. Fifteen years after the project fell victim to the global financial crisis in 2009, this masterpiece will materialise on the “Hawaii of Europe” in 2026.

The site of Sir Nick Faldo’s new European project is located on the western cliffs of the famous Portuguese island. With more than 200 meters of elevation change, from the green of the 16th hole, hidden next to the famous lighthouse that guards the coast, to the tee of the 7th hole that rises above 400-foot cliffs towards the Atlantic. The 7th, 8th and 9th greens are at the world’s edge, clinging to the cliff’s border.

 

Golf in Madeira is special

Faldo commented in an interview published by Destination Golf: “We have something special in Madeira; being able to sculpt the course on the site itself is exciting. We believe this will be a dream course that every golfer will want to play. The scale of the place is difficult to explain; the cliffs are massive.”

Faldo Design has worked closely with local authorities to reactivate this golf project in Madeira fully. They are currently selecting the design team, which is expected to be on-site in early 2024, as the major groundwork on the front nine holes is almost complete.

Sustainable golf course design has been a core principle for Faldo Design for decades. After reviewing the original 2007 design, they have adjusted some holes and reduced the irrigated areas, using a local grass (Kikuya) that will reduce water requirements and allow a smooth transition between the field and the native flora that overlooks Ponta do Pargo its majestic beauty.

For a long time, at Tee Times Golf Agency, we have been offering the best golf packages in Madeira with a high-level offer. When Ponta do Pargo is completed, it will join a list that includes Santo Da Serra Golf, the Palheiro Golf Course, and Porto Santo Golfe for those looking for the best Madeira golf breaks and relaxing experiences.

The project promises to be the best golf in Madeira experience and is expected to be playable even in challenging weather conditions. Fans are already preparing to enjoy the best golf in Portugal on the Atlantic Ocean.