Several players who learned to play golf on the Costa del Sol have gone on to star on professional tours around the globe. That the Coast is such a prolific nursery of talent should come as no surprise, as it is home to more than 70 courses from east of Málaga to Sotogrande at the eastern end of Cádiz province.
Their jobs require them to travel throughout the world, competing in many different settings, but very few like the Costa del Golf for playing this sport. At least that’s what we are told by two successful Costa del Sol-born golfing globetrotters. Álvaro Quirós from Guadiaro and Noemí Jiménez from Marbella both agree that the destination is “exceptional” for playing golf.
“Golf professionals’ evaluations are just as important as they are honest,” says Elías Bendodo, president of the Costa del Sol Tourism promotional board. “Their demands when it comes to course features and maintenance are considerable, so it is a matter of pride when players of the calibre of Álvaro Quirós and Noemí Jiménez rate the Costa del Golf’s courses so highly.”
Noemí Jiménez will be returning to the Costa del Golf to take part in the Andalucía Costa del Sol Ladies Spanish Open, won last year by Azahara Muñoz.
As someone from Marbella, she says it is particularly special for her that the event is being held at Royal Guadalmina, “a course I know very well, as it’s where I began playing golf as a young girl”.
For Noemí, holding the tournament is this area is cause for dual celebration, “because it will be a great opportunity for tourist promotion of the Costa del Golf thanks to the media impact, and these tournaments are also very important in helping the women’s game to grow”.
As for Álvaro Quirós, his stay in Dubai this season has kept him away from the Costa del Golf, but he says he loves the area and rates Royal Valderrama highly. “It’s a very demanding course, and a super special place for me because I’m from Guadiario, which is three and a half minutes away from Sotogrande. I know the local people well and I’m excited at the prospect of playing in the Andalucía Valderrama Masters.”
“There is no better place in the world to play golf”
As constant travellers, golf pros are very familiar with amenities around the world, and Quirós and Jiménez are unequivocal in this respect: “There is no other place in the world like the Costa del Sol for playing golf, taking into account all it offers.”
Álvaro Quirós expands on that declaration… “good hotels, superb climate, the finest gastronomy, the possibility of playing golf with sea and mountain views, and the close proximity of an international airport”.
Noemí Jiménez highlights the Coast’s special lure for women golfers. “Many Ladies European Tour players come to the Costa del Sol to practise here because the climate is perfect throughout the year to play golf, with very good temperatures. And there are others who have settled here and live in the area.”
Both golfers appreciate how important the human touch is in southern Spain.
In short, says Álvaro Quirós, “Andalucía remains committed to helping to develop the golf industry with standard-bearing courses and comprehensive amenities, with the services sector highly focused on foreign golfers, those who are seeking sun, wellbeing, relaxation and sport, and exquisite personal treatment.”
Asked about their favourite courses, both champions are willing to stick out their necks. Noting that she was raised in Guadalmina, Noemí Jiménez says, it’s ideal for families because it’s got a children’s academy”, but she opts for FInca Cortesín in Casares, “a privileged course and the service is magnificent – they treat me like a queen”. She also praises Las Brisas, Los Naranjos, Magna Marbella and La Reserva.
Quirós, meanwhile, is “patriotic”, noting, “Any time I can, I practise at Valderrama, the best course in Spain, with numerous awards, and the venue for many major tournaments, basically due to the condition it is in and because its design is very competitive.” He does, however, have other favourites, such as La Cañada, La Reserva Club Sotogrande, San Roque Golf Club, Aloha Golf and Las Brisas.
Two Champions Raised in the Area
Noemí Jiménez was born in Marbella in 1993. Barely one-year-old, she hit her first swings using a mop and Christmas tree balls. At six, she began playing at Royal Guadalmina Golf Club, following her father’s passion. After completing her studies at Arizona University and turning professional, she became a star of Spanish golf, one of the top players with a growing reputation internationally. Her aim this season is to make it into the top-20 of the Ladies European Tour and compete for a title.
Álvaro Quirós was born in Guadiaro (San Roque municipality) in 1983. He has become one of the most successful Spanish golfers over the past two decades. With his powerful drive, he strung together six wins from 2006 to 2011, including the Dubai World Championship, and rose as high as 21st in the world ranking. After suffering several wrist injuries, he is back on track, having secured his first European Tour title in more than five years.
