Marbella Golf: a Robert Trent Jones jewel

Trent Jones had prepared his first sketches and plans for the layout more than 20 years before, in 1973, though it would be two decades before the course was completed. The American signed his name to some of the most prestigious courses on the Costa del Sol: Valderrama, Royal Sotogrande Golf Club, Mijas Golf, Las Brisas…

At Marbella Golf he found a plot that varied greatly, almost being divided into two. The six holes north of the tollway are a lot steeper, virtually mountainous, with a lot of undulation and trees. South of the tollway, however, the terrain is more gently sloping: the holes are closer to the sea and this is the area where most of the lakes are situated – in addition to supplying irrigation water, also being of aesthetic value and an added challenge for players.

This is a relatively short course, under 6,000 metres, but it is certainly not an easy one. The first six holes, in the more mountainous area, are extremely complicated, very precise, due to the topography, the tree areas and the design itself. It is best to leave the driver in the bag on this part of the course and use a 3-wood or long iron. The second part of the course is more open and allows you to use all the clubs in the bag. The views over the sea and mountains are spectacular.

The course has undergone several transformations since opening, but none as profound as that carried out in 2009: four holes completely new, the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th, and the position of some tees and greens were modified. Craig Cooke, who worked with Robert Trent Jones Sr., was the man behind this spectacular revamp, with the help and collaboration of David Steele, the former course manager, and Cabell B. Robinson, another great designer and also a student of Trent Jones.

“Our main idea,” said Steele, “was to maintain the original design and philosophy, to not make any sharp changes.” The old 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th were eliminated. The 17th green was changed, as well as the position of the 18th tee.

Even though it is close to the Marbella town centre, I had not played the course since the ‘90s. Something completely unforgiveable because, as I would learn shortly after, this is one of the most spectacular and attractive courses in southern Spain. A great challenge, as I mentioned before, which leaves no one indifferent.

I was fortunate to have as my playing companion the course manager, a professional golfer who competed on the European Tour and has been on the Costa del Sol for nearly 20 years. David has been involved in some of the most important moments in Andalucian golf history, including an attempt to break the record – he went agonisingly close – for most holes played continuously in 24 hours. As to be expected, the attempt was made at an illuminated course, La Dama de Noche, which facilitated uninterrupted play. This was in 2003 and Steele managed to complete 774 holes in a row, or 43 rounds of 18 holes. He was able to finish a hole in less than two minutes, using a specially adapted buggy to gain more speed. The world record attempt was in aid of the fight against cancer and also served as a tribute to Jeff Kelly, one of the publishers of Andalucía Golf, who had died just before, suffering from this terrible illness.

With that achievement in my memory, I accompanied David Steele to the first tee of a course he has managed for just a few months.

The first hole at Marbella Golf & Country Club, a 259-metre par-4 from the yellow markers, is the start of a unwavering challenge. It is located to the right of the practice ground, with out of bounds in that area, so it is best not to take any risks, and use an iron. The second shot is an approach to a small, elevated green, very well protected by bunkers. Not an easy start.

The second hole, a par-5 of 445 metres, is a dogleg left. The second shot, fairly long, brings into play bunkers to the left and a fairway that isn’t particularly wide on this part of the hole. The green is also slightly elevated, defended on the right and with a fair amount of slope.

The third hole is an attractive par-3, short at 120 metres, with an elevated tee and a small lake in front of the green – almost completely surrounded by bunkers as well.

The fourth, another short par-4 of 251 metres, is possibly the toughest hole on the course. It is seriously dangerous, with a lot of trees on the right and left, bunkers in the middle of the fairway and a green that is difficult to access. If the second shot doesn’t make the green, your problems are multiplied.

The par-4 fifth, 315 metres, is one of the most beautiful holes on the course. The tee is elevated and you have to hit a good tee shot because there is high rough lying in wait on the right and left of the fairway.

The sixth, a 446-metre par-5, handicap 1, is considered the course’s signature hole. This hole is Marbella Golf. The fairway is crossed twice by the same river, which also runs along the right and left; while there is a lake in front of the green. You need to hit your drive just in front of the first river crossing. Then, almost without exception, the second shot has to be hit to a sort of island bordered by the river, as aiming for the green is quite a bold option. The third is also not an easy shot: hit to a small green protected by a lake, with abundant rough at the back.

The seventh on the new layout was the old 11th. It is a par-4 of 341 metres. The drive should be hit to the left, to a fairway tightly bordered by trees. The second shot, slightly long, has to be hit to an elevated green fronted by a large bunker.

The eighth, previously the 12th, is a long par-4 of 383 metres. The tee is located on a hill and the green, completely renovated, is way below. You can really go for your drive, in the direction of the sea, with half the Costa del Sol laid out in front of you and, on a clear day, stunning views of Gibraltar and northern Africa. The second shot to the green, though long, is not too difficult.

The ninth, a 150-metre par-3, is completely new, as well as the three following holes on this considerably transformed Marbella Golf layout. Reached from an elevated tee, the green is located in front of the clubhouse.

The 330-metre par-4 10th has a slight dogleg to the left. The second shot to a very small and well-protected green requires great accuracy. It is not an easy hole.

The 11th is another par-3, of 150 metres. The green slopes considerably from right to left and is very well-protected by three bunkers.

The 12th could be considered another of the course’s signature holes: a very long par-4, more than 400 metres. The tee is located next to an old farmhouse that was sitting in the middle of the course, in an elevated area. You have to hit your driver to a platform, not too high, and the second shot has to be hit over a river that crosses the fairway and a large lake to the left of the green. This will possibly become handicap 1 or 2 on the new course.

The 13th, a 455-metre par-5, has a large lake on the left, bordering most of the fairway. There is a bunker on the right of the landing area, where the fairway becomes quite narrow. It is, therefore, probably sensible to use a 3-wood off the tee. For the second shot you have to very much take into account the lake on the left of the fairway and the abundant trees on the right. The third shot to the green also requires particular accuracy, as there is water on the left and bunkers on the right.

The 338-metre par-4 14th is, by way of compensation, an easier hole. There is an olive tree in the middle of the fairway, about 230 metres from the tee, which can make your drive a little complicated. It also has a large lake on the right and a river that crosses the fairway. The second shot needs to be hit to an elevated and very undulating green, with out of bounds at the back and on the left.

The 15th, a 333-metre par-4, is a dogleg right, with another lake in that area. For the second shot you have to beware of the new bunkers added to the fairway: three in front of the green and two on the right. The green has a large valley.

The 16th is a 156-metre par-3 with a slightly elevated tee. The green is protected by a lake at the back and bunkers in front. The sea views are of the kind that stop hiccups! This is another of the course’s spectacular holes.

The 17th is a 489-metre par-5, with a new green. The drive is not too difficult, though they have added a new bunker on the left of the fairway, about 240 metres from the tee. The second shot is open, and for the third you have to be wary of bunkers in front of the new green and the surrounding pine trees.

To finalise the round, a 284-metre par-4 18th that features new tees, moved to the left of the old ones, meaning the wide fairway is now a dogleg. The second shot, to a slightly elevated green in front of the clubhouse, is not too difficult, in spite of the bunkers.

In ending your round at Marbella Golf & Country Club you have the feeling that you have made a great discovery. It is a very, very attractive course, not easy at all, forcing you to use all your golfing resources and think carefully about each shot. It is a short course, but challenging, where you are required to hit all imaginable shots, in all possible situations.

The 19th hole, the clubhouse, is without a doubt one of the best you can find in Andalucía. Elegant, as well as functional and cosy, it has a superb restaurant where you can start or finish an unforgettable day’s golf.

Marbella Golf has inaugurated a new driving range and a practice area for the short game, putting, etc., as well as all the amenities of a well set up golf school.

The club’s additional services include tennis courts, yoga and Pilates rooms, etc.

One of the most negative aspects of the course, in a visual sense, is the structure left behind from an old building dating to the ‘70s. But there is even a solution for this: permission has been granted to demolish it, and this will be carried out soon. In the meantime, they have been studying an idea to resolve this aesthetic problem temporarily: cover the structure with large advertising canvasses.

Expert in golf course design

Craig Cooke, Marbella Golf & Country Club’s superintendent, who oversaw the renovations, began in the world of golf course design and construction working in the US with Robert Trent Jones.

It was the great American designer who sent him to Spain to work in his Spanish company and on the Valderrama re-modelling more than 20 years ago.

Later he worked with Tony Jacklin designing courses in Scotland, including Loch Lomond. Then he set up his own construction and design company, building 12 courses in Ireland, a dozen in England and various others in Europe – the most recent on the outskirts of Rome. Following that he moved to Almería to work on Cortijo Grande, before settling in Marbella. “My experience in shaping and designing golf courses is very extensive,” he notes.

As for the renovations carried out at Marbella Golf, he says he is very satisfied. “The result is going to be a better course than before, because it was built 20 years ago and golf has changed a lot with the new materials. Nevertheless, we have maintained Robert Trent Jones’ whole design philosophy. This is something we didn’t want to change. To that end we also sought the collaboration of Cabell B. Robinson.”