Andalucía, Spain

Europe

13 Mar

Written By Simon Campbell

Combine legendary Ryder Cup venue Valderrama with 2023 Solheim Cup host Finca Cortesin and the best of Andalucia.

Spain has long been the home of golf in continental Europe and the jewel in its crown is undoubtedly Valderrama, famed for the Ryder Cup heroics of 1997. It wasn’t just the fact it was so closely fought, with Europe rocketing to a 10.5-5.5 lead at Real Club Valderrama, only to be reined back in by the Americans before Colin Montgomerie halved the final match with Scott Hoch to secure 14.5-13.5. But the win signalled the start of a period of European dominance at home, as they’ve yet to be beaten in their own backyard since. Captained by Seve Ballesteros and featuring the likes of Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Jose Maria Olazabal and Nick Faldo, defeating a team that included Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples and a rookie Tiger Woods secured the legend of Valderrama, which had also hosted the Volvo Masters since the 1980s. Ever since the heroics of Montgomerie and co, the Robert Trent Jones course, near the Andalucian village of Sotogrande, has been the epitome of European bucket list golf.

Just over twenty minutes north of Real Club Valderrama, golfing history was made once again, when Finca Cortesin hosted the 2023 Solheim Cup, the European team retaining the trophy after a 14-14 draw. It’s the first time Spain has hosted the female equivalent of the Ryder Cup, only this time Europe came as favourites, having won the last two tournaments. The two courses, part of Spain’s iconic Costa del Sol, make for the ultimate European golf experience, especially when combined with the sights, sounds, and more importantly, flavours of authentic Andalucía.