Absolute Splendour

Inaugurated in 1976 and considered one of the best courses in Europe, Torrequebrada was designed by José Gancedo, popularly known as the “Picasso of Golf” and at the time the finest amateur golfer of his era in Spain.

Gancedo created a design that requires golfers to think and re-think each shot and, if wanting to take a risk, to be faced with an interesting challenge. Numerous strategically placed lakes and bunkers and several dog-legs make the layout a true test of golf.

The course is located in Benalmádena, just 20 minutes from Málaga’s international airport, Torremolinos and Fuengirola. In 1979 it was the venue for the Spanish Open.

“It was,” says manager Franciso Ruiz, “the first course designed by Pepe Gancedo. Construction followed the form of the land very closely, with no real estate or other strings attached. He hit balls and decided where he needed to put a hazard, where to place bunkers, lakes, etc. Each fairway, each green has its own personality, and all are different. The greens are large, contoured and elevated. The fairways are wide and generous.

“Pepe had the land he wanted, not like the designers of today who have to adapt to the gaps they are left by the real estate developers. At that time there was hardly any construction here, and when something was built it was with the course already finished. That’s the difference.”

- Which holes would you highlight on the course?

- In general, all of them. The area around the 12th, 13th and 14th greens is spectacular, with the lake in the middle; the view from the 18th to the clubhouse and the mountain; the 17th tee, with a shot hit towards the Mediterranean...

Great care was also taken with the vegetation: more than 100 varieties of trees – pine trees, palm trees, etc. – were planted.

- Over time, various minor modifications have been made to the course…

- Yes, because we have had to adapt to today’s game. We made all the pathways concrete, and carried out renovations to the clubhouse and dressing rooms, but in general Gancedo’s design hasn’t been changed, even when we’ve revamped the greens, bunkers, etc.

- Could it be said that this is one of the most attractive courses on the Costa del Sol?

- I would refer to the evidence: we have high numbers from the start of the season, always in three digits.

I’m convinced that this success – in addition to the design of the course – is due to our spectacular and rigorous maintenance, and to the work that we constantly undertake on the course to improve it and strive for excellence.

This year, for example, we have trimmed the vegetation of pine trees, palm trees and other trees on seven fairways in order to make the views more spectacular and play more flexible.

“We are convinced” adds Francisco Ruiz, “that our philosophy is correct, because the number of clients – who are the ones who mark out the path we should follow – is increasing constantly, and without us having to enter into the price war that other courses on the Costa del Sol are engaged in.

Dropping prices is one of the Torrequebrada manager’s main concerns. “I believe,” he says, “that the kind of client we want should be defined by the courses and not that clients force courses to offer the price they want to pay.

“It would not be acceptable for a client to come here and place on the counter the money he was willing to pay to play. You have to maintain prices and resist this kind of pressure. Everyone should pay the price the course sets, not what they want to pay that day.

“And if clients visit us time and time again, bearing in mind this course is more expensive than others, it’s because the product is worth it. The relationship between price and quality here is unbeatable and now, for the summer season, we have some very interesting offers.

“Our motto is always quality, quality, quality, both on the course and in the clubhouse.”