18 Holes   Par 72 &mbsp; 7020 yards

Former owner Jaime Ortiz Patiño took less than 10 years to create a legend. He took over Valderrama in 1987, applied the knowledge he had learned at the USGA from its greens superintendents and agronomy sections and, by 1997, was proudly welcoming the King of Spain to the Ryder Cup opening ceremony. In the meantime, he had hosted nine Volvo Masters and gained respect from Europe’s top players who, it must be said, were at first skeptical about his efforts. Valderrama became Europe’s number course, and for Andalucía it is now the standard-bearer, a prestigious resource that tourism authorities are proud to promote. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, who once observed, “I think Valderrama is a classic championship golf course. It’s like Augusta… in about as good condition as any golf course can get.” Valderrama’s challenge is limited to club members and 36 visiting golfers per day but it is nevertheless an irresistible challenge.