Unfortunately, it is becoming rarer and rarer to see golf courses built with the same philosophy of years gone by: that is, with the main priority being quality design and consideration for players. Some of Europe’s finest courses were built during the first major era of golf course development on the Costa del Sol – in the ‘60s and ‘70s – created by the most prestigious designers in the world at the time. These included Los Naranjos, designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, who rated it as one of his best creations in Europe.

Los Naranjos belongs to a select group of golf courses on the Costa del Sol designed by Trent Jones, and it was built during an era when sufficient, and appropriate, land was still available for this purpose. The American architect was contracted by the company owned by José Banús, who developed Puerto Banús, the Nueva Andalucía macro-urbanisation and Las Brisas golf course, to design a second course to the north of Las Brisas. The plot of land made available to him could hardly have been better: 70 hectares perfect for golf, gently undulating, with a river passing through the land and an orange tree plantation – which gave the course its name. His instructions were clear: Banús wanted a true championship course, with a classic, long design, wide fairways and large greens, suitable for international tournaments but also pleasant to play for all levels of golfers. And that’s exactly what Robert Trent Jones delivered.

When the course opened in 1977, it was run jointly with Las Brisas. The first tee was the current third, being the closest hole to Las Brisas. The 18th was the current second, and the then clubhouse is now a private villa, near the green on the second hole.

In 1982, Banús’ company sold both courses to the Romero-Sauer business group. Las Brisas became a members’ club and Los Naranjos remained a commercial “pay and play” course.

In 1989, Los Naranjos was sold to a Swedish businessman, and it was converted into what it is today: a mixed club, with a limited number of members and also open to guests. The new clubhouse was inaugurated in 1991, and the two nine-hole layouts were switched around – the same configuration that remains today.

In 2007 four club members acquired a majority of shares from the Swedish businessman. Since then they have undertaken extensive improvements to the course with the objective of ensuring it remains of the highest quality.

And golfers have certainly been impressed with the results: as demonstrated, for example, by the 2012 Certificate of Excellence bestowed on Los Naranjos by tripadvisor.com, in recognition of the high rating given to the course by clients who left their opinions on the popular travel website.

Sporting history

Los Naranjos has hosted several major tournaments, for both professionals and amateurs, throughout its history. The Marbella Ladies Open, the first Ladies European Tour (LET) tournament in Spain, was held at the course in 1988, and won by South Africa’s Laurette Maritz with a total of 283. The following year the course was the venue for the Spanish PGA Championship, which ended with Severiano Ballesteros and José Rivero level on 278 – the latter winning on the first extra hole.

Other major tournaments held at Los Naranjos include the European Senior Amateur Championship, the Spanish Junior Championship and the International Women’s Amateur Championship.

Today, following a major investment in recent years to fine-tune the course (greens, fairways, tees, bunkers…), the construction of new practice facilities and the renovation of a superb clubhouse, Los Naranjos has become consolidated as one of the Costa del Sol’s premier and top-class clubs. It is fair to say it is one of the must-play courses for discerning golfers.

The opinions of players who have had the pleasure of “tasting” Los Naranjos have been unanimously laudatory; not only praising the design but also the exceptional maintenance and presentation of the course, highlighted by a meticulous manicure of the greens and fairways.

For summer, this prestigious club in Marbella’s Golf Valley, located just minutes from the renowned Puerto Banús, is launching a range of exceptional green fees and buggy rates which are well worth taking advantage of – enabling golfers to pay a very reasonable price for playing on, arguably, one of Spain’s finest golf courses.

A superb clubhouse

Some golf clubs warrant a visit if only to enjoy their clubhouse… and if the course is also top-class, all the better. Los Naranjos has both: an extraordinary playing layout and an exceptional clubhouse.  To enjoy its well-manicured greens and fairways is an eminently pleasant experience, and it is equally so inside the elegant and comfortable clubhouse – whether you are a golfer nor not.

The majestic structure of this mixed club – with members but also open to the public – includes Los Naranjos Restaurant, the perfect place to enjoy a refreshment to restore your strength before or after a round, or to linger longer and savour an exquisite lunch or beautifully prepared dinner. The restaurant comprises a main dining room, two private rooms with fireplace, a terrace and a bodega. On the top floor there is a room for events, a large terrace, an exotic thatched “palapa” and a separate area with a fireplace.

The restaurant is open from very early, serving breakfast for the early-risers, into the evening – offering the finest dinners. The menu includes international cuisine and Swedish specialities. There is also a breakfast buffet every day as well as daily menus at very attractive prices.