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.
The Par 71 Championship Course measures 6418 meters from the professional tees. The fairways have been described by top pros and leading golf writers as the best in Europe, if not the world. It is not an easy course – nor was it intended to be. It is designed so as to call forth thought and precision for every shot.
The course was designed in 1974 by Robert Trent Jones, Sr, one of the great golf course architects, and was originally known as Las Aves (Sotogrande New). In 1984, Mr. Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, acquired the golf course and committed to bringing the course to an extraordinary level, never seen before in Europe. Robert Trent Jones willingly agreed to come back and redesign his original layout of ten years earlier.
Valderrama has since risen in the Golf World rankings to become the No.1 golf course in mainland Europe, a position proudly held since 1989.
No championship course in modern times has so swiftly achieved such recognition. As early as 1988, Valderrama began to host the newly-launched Volvo Masters, the flagship tournament of the PGA European Tour, and continued to do so until 2009. In 1997 the Club hosted the 32nd Ryder Cup, won by Europe in a most thrilling finish.
Next, in 1999 and 2000, Valderrama went on to host the first two editions of the World Golf Championships – American Express Championship, which were won by Tiger Woods and Mike Weir respectively.
In recent years, Valderrama has hosted seven editions of Andalucía Masters (Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters), which is one of the most prestigious tournaments held in Spain by the European Tour.
An arduous renewal process of the golf course has recently been completed to modernize and provide it with new infrastructure and equipment maintaining the identity and excellence of the Club.
The Origin: Las Aves
1975
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.
Valderrama is founded
1985
In September of 1985 the new club is a reality, redesigned by Robert Trent-Jones Senior,
1988: THE ERA OF THE VOLVO MASTERS
1988
On October 1988 begins the era of the Volvo Masters, the grand finale of the European Tour
THE 1997 RYDER CUP
1997
The ever-remembered 1997 Ryder Cup was held in Valderrama, the first one outside the British Isles.
American Express Championship
1999
Valderrama reached an agreement to celebrate for two years (1999,2000) the final of the world champions series
Andalucia Masters
2010
After a short break, the European Tour returned to Valderrama with the Andalucía Valderrama Masters.
