Atalaya golf course owes much of its charm and beauty to the fact that it was created back in 1968, before the rash of golf urbanisation development that has seen golf courses spring up all over the Costa del Sol. It was a slower pace of life in those days, when the design of a golf course was the priority rather than packing in the apartments on the edge of every fairway. Skilled ground staff have not only maintained the quality of the golf courses over the years, but created a perfect ambience around the clubhouse with pretty fountains surrounded by richly-coloured beds of flowers.The fact that it is a members’ club open to green fee paying guests gives it a distinctive edge over its newer, flashier competitors. There’s always a convivial buzz around the clubhouse where members and guests alike are made welcome on the terrace or in the bar. Easy to find, on the road to Benahavis, its central location, close to the beach and within a short drive from some of the region’s most luxurious hotels, make it a favourite venue for visitors. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Blanca mountains, its two magnificent 18-hole courses - the Atalaya Old Course and the Atalaya New Course - are lined with mature eucalyptus trees, cactus and palms and pink and white azaleas that fill the air with an unforgettable and intoxicating scent.