With its two 18-hole layouts, the New and Old, Atalaya Golf & Country Golf is unquestionably one of the Costa del Sol’s most popular and representative complexes.

Located between Marbella and Estepona, just a few hundred metres from the main coastal A7 highway, taking the Benahavís turn-off, the golf club has embarked on an ambitious refurbishment – the first phase is now completed – that has raised it to an even higher level, a step ahead of many others in the surrounding area.

Ample reason for manager Andrés Sánchez to express his pride at being in charge of a club that has always been at the vanguard in several aspects of a golf club’s operations.

“We’ve invested around one million euros to carry out a series of improvements, both on the course and in the clubhouse, which means that Atalaya Golf & Country Club is possibly enjoying the finest moment in its history.

“The initial renovation work involved creating a large terrace in the restaurant, open to the course with views of the 9th and 18th holes and 1st tee; and three offices below, one specially reserved for organising tournaments, for the Andalucian or Spanish federations or the European Tour, if that were necessary.

“The second key remodelling was on the New Course, where we’ve shortened a par-4 to make it a par-3, gaining impressive panoramic views of the sea, Gibraltar and Africa. We have also transformed a par-3 (the 16th) into a par-4. On this hole we’ve built a huge tee using special rocks from the Casares quarry.

“At the clubhouse,” adds Andrés Sánchez, “we have also completely revamped the men’s changing rooms, incorporating fine-wood lockers and adding showers and a gymnasium. In addition we have signed an agreement with Dr. Pete Spurek – an eminent specialist in bones, legs and feet – to provide continuous medical assistance, offer rehabilitation work and hold courses on keeping fit.“

- So would you consider that nothing else needs to be done at Atalaya Golf & Country Club, that now everything is fine?

- No, no. This is just the start of a lot of work we have planned, such as a revamp of the women’s changing rooms, removing electricity poles on the course, expanding the maintenance warehouse (to two floors), constructing a tunnel to cross under the Cortes road, etc.

“Over summer,” says Andrés Sánchez, “all this work cost us some green fees, because the courses were turned upside down, but September and October have been very good. We’ve boosted the number of golfers noticeably and we’re satisfied with this, although with the latest technology bookings tend to be always at the 11th hour and you can’t make many forecasts.”