Located in the heart of the Costa del Sol – in cosmopolitan Marbella, just five minutes from the famous Puerto Banús, and set in the stunning Golf Valley – Aloha is an exceptional club with an equally outstanding golf course. Inaugurated in 1975 and designed by the prestigious Basque architect Javier Arana, the Aloha layout stands out from the average course, and is considered one of the finest in Spain and Europe. The same can be said about the club, with its lively and friendly social life throughout the year, a fantastic clubhouse and a restaurant that dazzles with its quality.

he impeccable maintenance, and pampering and meticulous care applied to everything at Aloha, is clearly noticeable. Unfortunately, it is no longer commonplace to build courses like this: i.e. no houses, expansive and in the best possible area.

The venue for European Tour events and major amateur competitions, Aloha is a course that undergoes constant evolution and renovation, and over the past four years there has been a major revamp of the club in order to improve the already high level of its amenities.

“Recently we have renovated the clubhouse and chiringuito (hut) on the ninth hole, and expanded the parking area with a new storey. At the end of last year we inaugurated our new health club, thus boosting the range of services for our members (restaurant, pool, physiotherapy, golf school) and converting Aloha into one of the most comprehensively diverse clubs on the Coast,” says Rafael García Buitrago. “We have always taken good care of the course, but now we doing so even more diligently – if that’s possible! – to ensure it is perfect. We believe we have done our homework very well, with the added value that Aloha has made such a great effort during a period of crisis. Our commitment to quality means the club will remain a standard bearer on the Costa del Sol.”

Aloha is a very active club with regard to competitions, both open and for members. “Our least active season is summer,” he explains, “because most of our members are from northern Europe and many return to their home countries at this time of the year, so we can take advantage by organising sponsored open events.”

One of the highlights is the Aloha Cup, an initiative by club president Rafael Fontán, scheduled for mid-August. “We want people to come along and enjoy our club,” says Rafael García Buitrago, “and the best time is summer, when it’s quieter and members’ play isn’t affected so much. We are in the process of finalising details, the competition format, an invitation trophy event with a limited number of teams, and the idea is that, apart from being able to play golf, people can also enjoy our club, with the championship culminating in a prize-giving dinner and party. Our aim is that people can enjoy the club as if it’s theirs.”

Another major event at Aloha is the Andrés Jiménez Memorial pro-Am, held in December for many years now and highlighted by the star participation of Miguel Ángel Jiménez. “It’s held over a weekend, brings together numerous professionals, and there is a spectacular atmosphere,” says the club manager.

Also held at Aloha is a tournament in aid of children suffering from “butterfly skin syndrome” (epidermolysis bullosa), a key annual event on the Costa del Sol that attracts nearly 200 players, as well as the “Golf Valley” event held in conjunction with Las Brisas, and many other competitions.

OPINIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In order to find out the views of amateur golfers who have previously played at Aloha or who were doing so for the first time, we joined the golfers from two groups who had just finished their rounds and were enjoying lunch in the clubhouse restaurant…

Javier Burgués, manager of Casino Marbella “We’ve had a great day here. First of all we ate in the clubhouse, the best golf course restaurant I know of, and then we enjoyed a course with superb amenities. It’s a long layout, a great Javier Arana design, strategic, with magnificent greens. I would like to congratulate the Aloha management for the excellent maintenance – the course was in impeccable condition.”.

Esteban Rodríguez Sevillano, businessman “I would like to emphasise the variety of shots that this course allows you to play, and the great variety of holes it has. Of course, I’ll be trying to play here whenever I can.”.

Manuel A., lawyer

“One of things that most drew my attention was the great social life at this club. I believe it is a second home that is very warm and welcoming for members. As for the course, for me it’s undoubtedly one of the best on the Coast. There is a clear difference between the first nine and the second nine. The front nine, for a mid or low-handicap player, invites you to play one of two ways: hit the ball into a safe position or be brave and go for a good score. The back nine is wider, with the main difficulty – in my opinion – on the greens, which are undulating and fast. It’s been a while since I played the course, and I found it outstanding.

Saad Azzam, general manager of Hotel Gran Meliá Don Pepe

“Aloha is one of the standard-bearers of Marbella. It’s an extraordinary course, with lethal greens as they are fast and fantastic. It’s not easy to find courses of this quality. Few have the same maintenance on fairways and greens that Aloha does. I thoroughly enjoyed the round and I think it’s a highly recommended experience.”

Rika Vidáts, from Ré Lounge (Events & Leisure) “This is one of the best courses I’ve ever played, and I’ve played many around the world during my life. The course was in spectacular condition, and the lunch after our round could not have been better. I already knew that at Aloha you dine very, very well, but it is always surprising to find a restaurant of this first-class standard at a golf course. The club has been renovated and improved a lot over the past few years.”

Marco Polacci, official representative of IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) in Andalucía

“Aloha is a stunning course, of course. I’ve played here before, but this time I found it to be in superb condition. It’s one of those courses that any golfer should play. It is, I would say, indispensable. The clubhouse, after its refurbishment, is fantastic, and the club has more activity than any other one I know in the area. There are few with such a social life every day of the year, and a very special ambience.”.

José María Río, general manager of Viajes Master

“It’s the first time I’ve played the course. I know all the others in the area, but I was missing this one. I enjoyed it a lot. The morning was fantastic and the course stunningly attractive, very well maintained. It’s clear that they bestow a lot of affection on the course. The staff I’ve watched working, you can see they do so with enthusiasm – not just to fulfil their employment obligations. I believe it is one of the best courses on the Costa del Sol today.”