Changes to Alhaurin Golf

It was quickly acknowledged that here was a course of great beauty, with spectacular views and an atmosphere of complete tranquility

When Alhaurín Golf opened it’s fairways to the public in 1993, it was quickly acknowledged that here was a course of great beauty, with spectacular views and an atmosphere of complete tranquility. Unfortunately, It soon became evident that the course was technically very difficult to play. These two characteristics explain why Alhaurín became a course visitors either loved or hated and it soon acquired cult status. Less serious golfers, not too worried about setting course records, were able to relax, enjoy the views, and the peace and quiet.

On the other hand, low handicap golfers, setting out to meet the challenge of this testing course, grew frustrated as perfectly struck drives, with the ball apparently heading for the middle of the fairway, resulted in a lost ball, due to some laterally cambered fairways. This was obviously not what Seve Ballesteros had in mind when he designed the course, and to be fair, the actual layout, on very difficult terrain, is a good one.

The problem appeared to be that Seve did not insist on having his own man on site during construction, a pre-requisite of most leading course designers to ensure that the course is set up as the designer intended.

However, I am now advised by Rafael Cruz-Conde, Alhaurín’s new golf director, that substantial improvements are being carried out to the course. Having received an invitation to see for myself, I look forward to reporting the results in the near future. Watch this space!

Tags: Alhaurin Golf