Piñero, Ballesteros y Garrido en Valderrama

HISTORY, TRADITION AND EXCELLENCE

Opened in 1974 and originally known as Las Aves

Valderrama has been consistently ranked as number 1 in Continental Europe since the late 80’s and has been included in the Top 100 in the World since 1990.

Real Club Valderrama, originally recognised as Las Aves (Sotogrande New), was built in 1974 under the architectural guidance of Mr. Robert Trent Jones, Sr, a visionary among golf course architects. In 1984, the golf course came under the ownership of Mr. Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, who embarked on a mission to elevate the course to an unprecedented level of excellence, setting a new benchmark for European golf.

The ascendancy of Valderrama was palpable as early as 1988, when it undertook the mantle of hosting the inaugural Volvo Masters—a hallmark event within the PGA European Tour’s calendar—a role it retained until 2009. The pinnacle of Valderrama’s legacy emerged in 1997 when the Club was honoured to host the 32nd Ryder Cup, an event of profound significance in the golfing world, culminating in Europe’s captivating victory, with the late Seve Ballesteros as Captain.

Valderrama continues to enhance its prestigious legacy, hosting the World Golf Championships – the American Express Championship – in 1999 and 2000, as well as the Andalucía Valderrama Masters, a longstanding highlight on the European Tour.

Valderrama continues to cement its status as a premier destination for the sport’s elite, embracing a new era of golf by hosting the inaugural LIV Golf Andalucía tournament in 2023.

The Origin: Las Aves

1975

The Origin: Las Aves

In 1975 Robert Trent Jones designed Las Aves Golf course owned by former U.S. Army military officer Joe McMicking and originally operated as a golf facility.

The Origin: Las Aves

Valderrama is founded

1985

Valderrama is founded

In September of 1985 the new club is a reality, redesigned by Robert Trent-Jones Senior,

Valderrama is founded

1988: THE ERA OF THE VOLVO MASTERS

1988

1988: THE ERA OF THE VOLVO MASTERS

On October 1988 begins the era of the Volvo Masters, the grand finale of the European Tour

1988: THE ERA OF THE VOLVO MASTERS

THE 1997 RYDER CUP

1997

THE 1997 RYDER CUP

The ever-remembered 1997 Ryder Cup was held in Valderrama, the first one outside the British Isles.

THE 1997 RYDER CUP

American Express Championship

1999

American Express Championship

Valderrama reached an agreement to celebrate for two years (1999,2000) the final of the world champions series

American Express Championship

Andalucia Masters

2010

Andalucia Masters

After a short break, the European Tour returned to Valderrama with the Andalucía Valderrama Masters.

Andalucia Masters

A New era for Valderrama

2011

A New era for Valderrama

In May 2011 the Visconde de Pereira Machado was elected President of the Club and Valderrama since then has gone through a complete renovation.

A New era for Valderrama

Patrick Rambaud, new president of the Real Club Valderrama

2022

Patrick Rambaud, new president of the Real Club Valderrama

Mr. Patrick Rambaud, a French national, assumed the presidency of the Real Club Valderrama in October 2022, replacing Mr. Nuno de Brito e Cunha, who, after more than 11 years in the same function, made the decision to leave his

Patrick Rambaud, new president of the Real Club Valderrama

LIV Golf Andalucía

2023

LIV Golf Andalucía