WINDS OF CHANGE

As an important industry, golf tourism on the Costa del Sol is still in its infancy. Born in the late eighties, it has already displayed a cyclic tendency, struggling during the oil crisis brought on by the Iraq war, then enjoying enormous success in 1997, when Valderrama hosted the Ryder Cup. The period from 1997 could definitely be described as a boom period, as the coast’s portfolio of golf courses increased to more than fifty, making the “Costa del Golf” Europe’s most popular winter golf destination. The cost of golf increased rapidly as demand exceeded supply and market forces seemed to justify the increases.

But times change and now our golf tourism industry is having to come to terms with new and extreme circumstances. Although reaction has been mixed, enough courses have reduced their green fees sufficiently to make a golf holiday on the Costa del Sol competitive once more. Leading the way and deserving a special mention are the courses managed by Aymerich (Alahaurín, Cabopino,  Calanova and El Chaparral), all of which include the cost of a shared buggy in their green fee. The same applies to Sta. Clara, Sta. María and Río Real, both of which have reduced their green fees substantially for the rest of the high season. While others are gradually following suit, unfortunately one or two have actually increased their rates. There is not enough space here to list them all, but more information is available by calling Julie on 952 582 943.

Tags: Aymerich, Costa del Golf, Costa del Sol, Ryder Cup, Valderrama Golf