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Tee Times Golf Courses – All things related to the golf courses. News, reviews, events and much more.

Challenge de España: celebrating 25 years of the best golf

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Spanish golf reaches new heights with the celebration of the Challenge de España at the prestigious Real Club Sevilla Golf from May 9 to 12. With 25 years of history, this tournament has established itself as one of the most prominent events on the Challenge Tour, attracting several of the best players in the world and fans who plan their Spain golf holidays to enjoy the competition.

Since its first edition in 1999 in El Saler, Valencia, the Challenge de España has toured Spain’s most emblematic golf courses, from Valencia to Almería, promoting golf worldwide. The competition returns to Andalusia to debut in Seville, a city with a rich golf tradition.

Golf del Guadiana, Villamartin Golf Club, Izki Golf, Torremirona Golf Club, Centro Nacional de Golf, Campo de Layos Golf, Retamares Golf Club, Tecina Golf, Iberostar Real Club and Playa Serena have also hosted the prestigious tournament. Many of them are courses that tourists choose for their Spain golf breaks. At Tee Times, we have been offering attractive packages for years for those who want to enjoy the best golf in Spain.

In dialogue with Golf Industria, the president of the Real Club Sevilla Golf, Rafael Domínguez, highlighted the importance of this event for the club and Spanish golf in general. The tournament has been a platform for the emergence of talent and has contributed to the prestige of the Challenge Tour, as said Jamie Hodges, Executive Director for this tour.

“We have witnessed great events, and now we are delighted to position ourselves in world golf again with this double celebration, the twenty-five years of the Challenge of Spain and the thirty-five years of the Challenge Tour,” said Domínguez, host club president.

The support of entities such as the Real Federación Española de Golf and the sponsorship of recognised brands ensure the tournament’s success. 

 

Real Club Sevilla Golf: A renowned host club

The Real Club Sevilla Golf (par 72 and 7,177 yards), designed by José María Olazábal (two-time winner of The Masters in Augusta), offers a challenging and beautiful setting for players and spectators alike.

With its wide fairways, undulating greens and strategically placed bunkers, the golf course is a true challenge for players of all levels. Its impeccable maintenance throughout the year positions it among the best golf courses in Spain and one of the most chosen by golfers worldwide who visit Seville.

In addition to hosting prestigious tournaments, the Real Club Sevilla Golf also promotes amateur golf through its Children’s Golf School and social tournaments, boosting the practice of this sport among all ages.

 

Challenge de España and the Seville senses

Seville captivates with its rich history and culinary delights. The city brims with historical heritage, from the majestic Alcázar to the beautiful Cathedral of Seville and the emblematic Plaza de España. As for gastronomy, its tapas, gazpacho, fried fish and the famous Iberian ham are a feast for the senses. Traditional bars and taverns offer an authentic experience worth enjoying.

With the Challenge de España in Seville, Spain reaffirms its position as one of Europe’s most prominent golf tourist destinations. We invite all golf lovers to enjoy this exciting event and discover the beauty and excitement of golf in Spain.

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

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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

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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?