Golfers under-26 have had many reasons to look forward to playing this summer. Thanks to an initiative by several clubs – supported by the Royal Andalucian Golf Federation – children, teenagers and young adults are able to take advantage of special rates during the festive season.
“Golf Joven” (“Young Golf”) is a programme launched by the federation to encourage children to tee up with their parents, and make it easier for teenagers and university students to play golf.
The federation presented the new project to golf clubs early in July, and within a week 15 federation-registered clubs throughout Andalucía had signed up.
There are several conditions for those wanting to take part. The green fee for golfers up to 13 years, and officially registered with the federation, will be free during the summer months (at least), provided they are accompanied by an adult paying their own green fee.
As for those aged from 14 to 25, clubs signed up to the initiative will charge a maximum of €25 for 18 holes during the same period.
It is important to note that – within the general parameters of this “Young Golf” programme – each club is free to extend or clarify its conditions. Those wanting to take part should contact the clubs directly for more information.
Below are the clubs involved with the initiative (35 at the time of going to press), and any specific conditions they have imposed…
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Málaga
Lauro Golf (Alhaurín de la Torre)
Cabopino Golf Marbella (Marbella): special conditions until 31 August – green fee free for children up to 16 with national handicap lower than 36, must be accompanied by green fee-paying adult, not including buggy.
Parador Málaga Golf
Baviera Golf (La Cala de Vélez)
El Chaparral Golf Club (Mijas Costa): until 11 September (inclusive).
Escuela de Golf Miguel Ángel Jiménez (Torremolinos)
Alhaurín Golf Hotel & Resort
Doña Julia Golf Club (Casares)
La Cala Resort (La Cala de Mijas)
Real Club El Candado (Málaga)+
La Quinta Golf & Country Club (Marbella): free for children up to 16 years (inclusive), must be accompanied by an adult; valid until 10 September; no special rates from 17 years on (consult club).
Añoreta Golf (Rincón de la Victoria): valid until 30 September, from 4pm; players up to 18 years free, adult (buggy included) €50; players 19 to 25 €25; players 19 to 25 plus adult (shared buggy included) €60.
Granada
Santa Clara Golf Club Granada (Otura)
Cádiz
Sherry Golf Jerez (Jerez de la Frontera)
Arcos Golf (Arcos de la Frontera)
Villa Nueva Golf Resort (Barrio Jarana – Puerto Real)
San Roque Club (Sotogrande): promotion valid for New Course from 1pm, depending on availability, players registered with federation – between four and 13 years free, from 14 to 25 years €25, buggy not included.
Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club (Rota): during August, only nine-hole par-three layout.
Montecastillo Barceló Golf Club (Jerez): under-13 years from 2pm.
Almería
Alborán Golf (Retamar)
Aguilon Golf (Pulpí)
La Envia Golf (Vicar)
Golf Almerimar (El Ejido)
Huelva
Club de Golf Bellavista (Aljaraque)
Costa Esuri H2O Golf Club (Ayamonte)
Isla Canela Golf (Ayamonte)
La Monacilla Golf Club (Aljaraque): under-13 years free (accompanied by adult); 13 to 17 years €15 (accompanied by adult); 18 to 25 years €25.
Islantilla Golf Resort (Isla Cristina): under-13 years free (accompanied by adult); 13 to 25 years (inclusive) €23; promotion valid until 17 September, available not only for golfers registered with the Andalucian federation but also the national federation.
Córdoba
Real Club de Campo de Cordoba (Córdoba): until 3 September – players registered with federation, under-13 years and accompanied by adult, green fee free, on weekends and public holidays from 12 noon; players registered with federation, from 14 to 25 years (inclusive), green fee 18 holes €10 on weekdays and €25 on weekends and public holidays from 12 noon.
Club de Golf Pozoblanco
Jaén
Parque Deportivo La Garza: green fee children (six to 17 years), nine holes €2.50; green fee young adults (18 to 25 years), nine holes €5.
Sevilla
Club Zaudín Golf (Tomares)
Club Hato Verde (Guillena)
Real Club Sevilla Golf (Aclalá de Guadaira): valid from 12 noon each day, until Friday 8 September.
Escuela Pública La Cartuja (public academy): valid until 1 October; up to 17 years (inclusive), €3 for nine holes; 18 to 25 years, €5 for nine holes.
One of the key aims of the initiative is to avert the loss of a golfing generation – i.e. those between 18 and 30 approximately. It is common for golfers starting in the sport during their childhood and teenage years to abandon it when they go to university due to lack of financial resources. They then tend not to return to golf until they’ve reached a certain age and find it difficult to play other sports.
With this new initiative, the Andalucian federation and participating clubs are strengthening their commitment to promoting golf among young players as one way of consolidating the sport’s future.
Key Support from Golf Clubs
“We are delighted with the response to this programme among clubs registered with the federation,” said Pablo Mansilla, president of the Royal Andalucian Golf Federation. “They are truly the ones responsible for its success, and we are hugely appreciative of their continuing commitment to the youth system and their efforts in guaranteeing the future and growth of golf.
As outlined in the agreement signed with more than 30 clubs, the project was initially proposed by the federation’s promotion committee – especially with the support of its president, Carlos Pitarch – with the objective of stemming the loss of a generation of golfers: that is, those aged between 18 and 30 years. “It’s very common for young golfers to stop playing when they go to university, mainly because of lack of financial resources, and they are often forgotten until reaching a certain age. The aim of this project is to make it easier and cheaper for them to continue playing golf, at last during the holiday periods.”
To that end, this initiative by the Royal Analucian Golf Federation, and the registered clubs taking part, highlights the fact that an ongoing commitment to promoting golf among young players is the best way to guarantee the sport’s future.
According to Carlos Pitarch, the agreement establishes a series of basic conditions that the clubs can expand or limit. In fact, he notes, several clubs have enhanced the benefits to players in one way or another.” He added that he was extremely satisfied that, thanks to the clubs’ excellent response, players are able to play under these special conditions in each of Andalucía’s eight provinces.
