Aloha Golf, undoubtedly one of Spain’s premier golf clubs as the venue for top-level European Tour events (including the Open de Andalucía), has been carrying out a major renovation of the clubhouse in recent months, not only modernising and expanding its amenities and making them more functional but also giving them a new touch of elegance. Already blessed with a high-class golf course, Aloha now also has a clubhouse in keeping with its elevated status.
Aloha president Rafael Fontán fills us in on the work carried out this year, overseen by the architect Rodolfo Baldrich and completed by the Bailón 9 construction company.
“First of all,” he says, “we created a new golf reception area that we inaugurated for the Open de Andalucía. We changed the location and completely renovated the pro shop, which previously was in another building.
“Perhaps the most visible work we’ve done is to build a larger club entrance, with a gable roof and roundabout where people can be dropped off before parking the car opposite. This new area features a large landscaped area, with green grass, and we’ve planted a huge tree representative of the Mediterranean, a hundred-year-old olive tree, and numerous large cypress trees.
“From there you walk down to the cafeteria on an impressive stairway, also new, made from clear marble so it can be maintained in soft tones, not excessively ornate. The roof has been built in wood, the same as for the rest of the clubhouse. On the outside, the floor is natural stone, very Andalucian, known as ‘olivillo’, which I believe is particularly eye-catching.
“We have also installed suitable lighting for all the new amenities, with indirect lights and small spotlights over the trees and other areas, giving them a very attractive look, especially when arriving in the evening. We still need to add a bit of decoration but we have various proposals on the drawing board and it will all be decided soon.
“We also need to decide on a specific use for the building next to the pro shop,” adds Fontán. “We will probably set up a gymnasium specialising in golf, Pilates-style, with stretching exercises, etc., all aimed at improving your golf game and, of course, getting you into shape.”
In addition, the cafeteria has been expanded, almost by a quarter, we’ve set up a wine cellar and we’re working on a large cloakroom for when there are dinners, etc. In one of the areas we have left over thanks to the expansion we’ll create a lounge area, with sofas, coffee tables…
Is the clubhouse now at a level you would like it to be?
Yes, but we still need to upgrade and improve the decoration, as I mentioned before.
And the main building work, what’s left to finish?
Mostly a new parking area, adding an extra level, so we don’t ever have any more parking problems. We also want to improve the chiringuito (shack), upgrade the flooring on our main terrace and find a solution for the large area at the back, which is slightly soulless if it’s to be used all year round.
And all of that for when?
We would like to have the parking and gymnasium finished in 2013, and the terrace and everything else with a bit more time.
