Located in the heart of the Costa del Sol, in Marbella, the iconic Golf Valley extends from just 500 metres opposite the famous Puerto Banús marina towards the coast’s majestic mountain range backdrop. The valley is home to five magnificent courses: Los Naranjos, Las Brisas, La Quinta, Dama de Noche and Aloha. Together, they comprise a golfing haven enhanced by their proximity to each other and the quality of their installations.

Inaugurated in 1975 and designed by prestigious Basque architect Javier Arana, Aloha is a course that stands out from the norm; indeed, it is considered one of the finest in Spain and Europe. Its maintenance is impeccable and the meticulous care and attention paid to the course is patently clear. Unfortunately, it is no longer commonplace to build courses like Aloha: with no surrounding homes, expansive and on the best plot possible.

In mid-February, at the time of writing, while the Bermuda grass used at other courses left a yellowish tinge to the fairways, at Aloha recent re-seeding had turned the course into a splendid splash of green.

Aloha is one of the most impressive courses and clubhouses I have visited in some time. Over the past number of years considerable sums of money have been spent in upgrading the locker rooms and restaurant and both of those areas now vie with the best that the Costa del Sol has to offer. Lines of new lockers are available to club members, together with all the necessary modern facilities including saunas and powershowers. The restaurant’s timbered floors sparkle to match the glasses on the tables and, together with the friendliness of the staff, this combines to make eating there a memorable occasion.

At the moment, Aloha is in the process of an ambitious clubhouse renovation, “very much necessary right now,” notes manager Luis Navarro, “because, after so many years, the entrance, the pro shop, etc., were not in tune with the quality standards prevailing at the club”.

Those visiting the club can see first-hand how well advanced the work is – all due to be finished by summer. The management’s plans also include an expansion of the car parking area.

For my latest visit to the club a round had been arranged with the manager, who knows the course like the back of his hand – though I was also aware of the difficulties this would entail. He is more concerned about the small details, about correcting “imperfections” that only he can see, about greeting members, than actually playing golf. In the end, it was almost a relief when he was unable to accompany me after all, as preparations for the Open de Andalucía meant he had not a moment to spare. After six years at the helm, Luis Navarro is widely liked and respected by all.

On checking-in I was greeted by the caddiemaster, who welcomed me with a smile, made sure I had a card of the course and wished me a pleasant game. When entering members-only golf clubs, visitors can oft-times feel like interlopers who are just being tolerated. Never once did that cross my mind during my day at Aloha, as all the staff I met made me a more than welcome guest.

The tee of the opening hole drops down in four tiers from the white markers at the back to the forward tees, and an immediate impression is made as it is immaculately prepared. The drive, on this par-5 which measures 515 metres, is down into a valley where a generous fairway awaits, but a hooked tee shot will dive into a plethora of trees. The fairway slopes from right to left as it swings around, ever so gently, and heads for the green in the distance. The big danger on the hole is a water hazard on the left-hand side which starts about 300 metres from the tee and runs right up beside the green. The very large putting surface is slightly elevated and slopes considerably from back to front and right to left, and is guarded on the right by a big bunker. Accuracy on the approach shot is all-important and care must be taken not to miss on the left where the ground drops down sharply into the waiting water.

The second is a par-4 measuring 310 metres, again played from an elevated tee into a valley. The drive must carry about 160 metres to cross a lake while a further two expanses of water appear on the right where they eat somewhat into the landing area, making it relatively narrow. On the opposite side the fairway is steeply banked and a few trees, scattered hither and yon, could cause problems. The approach shot should be long rather than short as the big green is guarded on the front by a good-sized bunker.

The third measures 305 metres and is played onto a fairway sloping from left to right. Recently, this hole has been corrected, moving olive trees on the left to the right of the fairway and also adjusting the trajectory to eliminate the possible problem of errant balls reaching houses on the right-hand side.  The narrow but deep green has a bunker on the front-left but serious dangers await on the right as the ground drops dramatically down into heavy grass and, worse still, a hedgerow. Over the back is not much better and could well result in a lost ball amongst an abundance of bamboo shoots.

The fourth is a par-3 measuring 185 metres, played from an elevated tee to a wide green with a delightful backdrop of tall old trees. Both sides of the fairway are lined with olive trees while the green is well bunkered both front and back. The fifth is a par-5, of 440 metres, played onto a very wide fairway lined with trees. In the distance it swings around to the right while, 240 metres from the tee, a big bunker lies in wait on the left. Outside the bunker a worse fate awaits in the form of a water hazard which meanders towards the green. The putting surface contains three tiers and is bunkered on both sides.

To the golfer playing Aloha for the first time the par-4 sixth will present something of a hit-and-hope tee-shot as the fairway swings sharply around to the left, leaving the player with no idea what dangers lie in store. Slightly over 200 metres from the tee, there is a bunker on the left of the fairway and if that can be carried the ball will be in absolutely perfect position and within a pitching wedge of the green. The alternative is to play out to the right, leaving a much longer second shot to a very large, and almost circular, green which slopes from right to left and is bunkered on both sides. Raised aprons will tend to run the ball back down onto the putting surface.

The seventh is a short par-4 measuring just 309 metres and played, through an avenue of trees, onto a fairway sweeping uphill. From the brow of the hill the fairway drops dramatically down to a green located in a valley. The putting surface slopes sharply from back to front while a run-off on the right drops down into some bushes. Ten steps lead up to the tee of the par-3 eighth, which is played to a bunkerfree green in a valley. You need to pay careful attention to the slopes on this green.

The final hole on the outward journey is another short par-4 measuring 299 metres played dramatically uphill onto a huge fairway that slopes severely from right to left, but twice as severely back towards you. Unless good contact is made with the drive the ball could well roll back down the hill and finish up at your feet! About 50 metres short of the green the fairway sweeps downwards onto a good-sized green bunkered to the front while flowers on the banking behind the green provide a delightful splash of colour. A small sign attached to the chiringuito behind the green reminds golfers that, including a stop at the half-way house, the journey, so far, should not have taken any longer than two hours and 10 minutes. Nowadays that is probably wishful thinking!

After the front nine you are obliged to take a break at the, arguably, best “golf chiringuito” (hut) on the Costa del Sol. In addition to their boundless hospitality, Curro and Cristina also offer the best tortilla de patatas (potato-based omelette) in the area. And it doesn’t get much better enjoying this treat seated in front of the ninth green with the sea in the background.

I then drove out past the car park, down two little ramps, and up the far side onto the tee of the 10th hole, a par-5 measuring 504 metres. This hole was named after the course architect, Javier Arana, and it is in effect a business card presenting his credentials as a maestro of golf course design. The drive is down into a valley, with some eye-catching forestry in the background. The narrow fairway, steeply banked on the right, swings slightly around to that side and then straightens out: 200 metres from the green it separates into two distinct levels and imminent danger awaits, to the left of the lower level, in the form of water complete with cascading fountains. Towards the end of its journey the fairway dives downhill onto a deep green guarded on both sides by bunkers, while the water on the left makes a pin on that side a target fraught with danger. Standing there in the winter sunshine, surrounded by trees of all shapes and sizes, the peace and tranquillity which prevailed made the golf course a charming place to be.

The drive on the par-4 11th is straight down into a valley with a generous landing area after which the fairway rises up, ever so steeply, onto one of the smaller greens so far encountered. With little to recommend it this hole will not remain long in the memory bank. The 12th is another par-4 measuring 365 metres played from an elevated tee down onto a huge landing area and, while tress and bushes abound, they are all are outside the fairway. To the left of the buggy path the ground drops down towards water and a ball crossing the path is deemed to be in the hazard. One hundred and fifty metres from the green there are bunkers on both sides of the fairway before it drops down towards a kidney-shaped putting surface guarded on the front left by a big lake. This is a very picturesque hole and one that more than makes up for its disappointing predecessor.

The 13th is a par-3 played sharply uphill and a very good hit is required to carry the 190 metres to the putting surface: the hill is so severe the palms in the background seem to be touching the sky. What most defines the 13th – uphill and very long – is a huge carob tree located to the right of the green (from the tee, that is). Obviously this gives its name to the hole, and also earned Aloha an award in 2006 for the best botanical specimen on the Costa del Sol. The two-tiered green is guarded on the left by a bunker while a gnarled old tree standing on the right is partnered by its much bigger brother further back on the same side. A terrific hole and I have little doubt that many players will only gain their pars by way of a pitch and a putt. It is seldom you come across a par-3 carrying a stroke index of 1 but this one does and, you can take it from me, it is well merited.

The 14th is a par-4 played onto a generous fairway which will favour the player who fades the ball while, in the background, a mountain rises up majestically into the clear blue skies. One hundred metres from the green the fairway swings around to the right and rises up slightly to a plateau putting surface with a huge bunker on the left. The green on this hole has very, very pronounced slopes. You have to play extremely well to avoid the drama produced by its undulations. Reaching the ridge is not the most important consideration on the 14th.

The par-4 15th is another hole played onto a generous fairway sloping from right to left: the backdrop of a forest of trees adds to the feeling of maturity which this course continually achieves. One hundred and fifty metres from the green the fairway turns to the right and drops gently downwards to the putting surface below, which is surrounded on all sides by bunkers. Further danger lies in wait at the back which is designated a water hazard.

The 16th is a par-5 measuring 475 metres and again there are acres of fairway sloping gently from left to right. Cross bunkers appear 100 metres from the green while the front of the tiered putting surface is just a mass of sand. The 17th is a par-3 played across a valley to a narrow but deep green surrounded by tall trees while further protection is provided by immense areas of sand. Access to the 18th is gained by pushing a button which opens security gates onto a road leading to the final tee of the day. Standing on the tee the eye is immediately caught by a big lake out on the left together with a fountain shooting water maybe 10 metres into the air. A dangerous bunker sits in the middle of the fairway, 180 metres from the tee, after which it runs down into a valley before rising up again to a good-sized green full of humps and hollows and surrounded by bunkers. Should your approach shot finish on the incorrect level of the green four putts are not out of the question! There are two timber seats at the back of the green where those with a warped sense of humour may sit for a while watching player after player come a cropper on this treacherous putting surface. So came to an end a game of golf on a course beautifully presented and immaculately kept. At the conclusion of the round the enduring feeling was one of a course that oozed maturity throughout and was lovingly kept by the army of greenkeepers I encountered during my day.

Following a shower in the already mentioned palatial locker rooms I adjourned to the restaurant where I savoured a succulent fillet steak baguette which, together with a coffee and a sparkling water, came to a very reasonable price. The professionalism of the waiter, attending to such a minor order, topped off a memorable day at a memorable golf course. While Aloha may well be considered to be on the expensive side, the service offered throughout could well be used as a yardstick by other courses in the area who fail to meet the standards necessary to keep the Costa del Sol at the forefront of the golf holiday industry. The vast majority of golfers will be perfectly happy to pay the extra euro involved to experience such a first-class operation as that provided by all at the golf course so well hidden in the area known as “Golf Valley”.

Apart from the intrinsic quality of its course, Aloha – Javier Arana’s posthumous project, inaugurated in 1975 – has hosted several top international events, including the European Tour’s Open de Andalucía in 2007 and 2008 and now for a third time in 2012.

 

WHAT THEY SAY

Lee Westwood, winner of the 2007 Open de Andalucía: \"Aloha is a traditional parkland course where instead of using the driver at every hole you need to think your way round the course and use all the other clubs in the bag. Tour players appreciate a course that makes us think. The par-threes are hard but very good.\"

Thomas Levet, champion in 2008: “The Aloha golf course was pre-destined for me. I played for the first time in 1983 with my club and we were third, and in 1986 I returned to the International Amateur in Spain. It is a course that I have always loved and when I won the Open de Andalucía in 2008 it seemed made especially for me.\"

Miguel Ángel Jiménez, the tournament promoter: “Aloha is always in great condition. The course is not long, but it is very technical and the maintenance team is fantastic. I have a special affection for and maintain a very close relationship with Aloha, a club with great people, where in 1989 I won the Benson & Hedges Mixed with Xonia Wünsch and the Andalucian Championships, individual and pairs. My good friend Andrés Jiménez (now sporting director, having replaced José Luis Mangas) and I started to play together in the mid-‘80s, together with his father, who devoted his life to the club. I was like a second child.”