Your memory of the 1997 Ryder Cup is probably
colored by which side of the Pond you call home. But putting aside
Europe’s 141/2 to 131/2 victory for a moment,
let’s focus on Valderrama, the little-known (at that time) venue that hosted the
event. Located on Spain’s Costa del Sol, Valderrama
(valderrama.com) has since earned a reputation as arguably the finest course
in all of Europe. Its challenging Robert Trent
Jones Sr. design and immaculate condition make it worth crossing the Atlantic for—and there’s even more to the scene that you
may not be aware of.
The Costa del Golf, as it’s often referred to, has
experienced massive development for four decades running, making it a veritable
mecca for club-toting travelers. A good place to begin is with the secluded
sanctum of La Cala. It boasts a five-star hotel that blends Spanish
Don with 21st-century convenience and overlooks three courses, the Campo America, Campo Asia and
Campo Europa.
(lacala.com).
Next, book a tee time at Marbella’s Rio Real
(rioreal.com). Not because it’s a classic, but because it’s a
player-friendly track that should bolster your confidence before you head for
one of the unsung beauties of Costa del Sol
golf, the mighty Monte Mayor. Set high in the mountains, where it slices through
wild, yawning gorges surrounded by dense flora, Monte Mayor (
montemayorgolf.com) is not only breathtakingly scenic, it’s also an
outstanding test of nerve. Losing golf balls has never been so
pleasurable.
If you still need
convincing, consider that the Costa del Sol enjoys some 300 days of sunshine a
year—the name itself means “Sun Coast”—with a golf season that stretches from
September all the way through May. Any golfer should find those conditions
agreeable, no matter which Ryder Cup team he roots for.
