In 2016 Real Club de Golf de Sevilla changed its name to Real Club Sevilla Golf, the same year the club also received the Golf Merit Plaque, an award granted by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation. Although its name has varied slightly, what has not changed over the years is the Andalucian club’s grand status and spectacular course, which in April 2004 had the great honour of hosting the World Cup of Golf.
Paul Casey and Luke Donald won that tournament for England, with Spain represented by Sergio García and Miguel Ángel Jiménez finishing second, only one stroke behind the champions.
This magnificent course, designed by José María Olazábal, twice winner of U.S. Augusta at Masters (1994 and 1999), has also been the venue for other major international tournaments, including the Spanish Open (2008, 2010 and 2012), won, respectively, by Peter Lawrie, Álvaro Quirós and Francesco Molinari. Another European Tour event hosted by Sevilla Golf was the 2009 Andalucía Open, with Søren Kjeldsen taking the title.
The golf course was born in 1992, the year of the Universal Exposition held in Sevilla. It was destined to become a great champion not only because the “father” who created it was Olazábal, but also because of the stunning plot where it come into the world.
The course is a par-72 of 6,529 metres, with a very balanced layout for players of all handicaps and for hosting any top-level competition, either amateur and professional. The course covers an area of 61 hectares, with more than 10,000 trees planted to create a demanding yet pleasant layout.
Royal Sevilla Golf Club is an expansive course, characterised by wide fairways planted with Bermuda 419, and undulating greens (carpeted with Agrostis Stolonifera A) well-protected by 90 bunkers and nine lakes covering an area of more than three hectares.
El campo es un par 72 de 6.529 metros con un trazado muy equilibrado para jugadores de cualquier handicap y que permite acoger cualquier competición de máximo nivel tanto amateur como profesional. El recorrido ocupa una extensión de 61 hectáreas en las que hay sembrados más de 10.000 árboles que configuran un recorrido exigente y muy agradable.
El del Real Club Sevilla golf es un campo muy extenso caracterizado por amplias calles, sembradas de Bermuda 419, y ondulados greens – tapizados con Agrostis Stolonífera A– muy bien protegidos por 90 bunkers y 9 lagos que abarcan una superficie de más de tres hectáreas.
The playing area stands out for its high level of maintenance. Every autumn re-seeding with Raygrass is carried out, guaranteeing an impeccable presentation of the course throughout the year. Currently, Royal Sevilla Golf Club is fifth in the ranking of the top Spanish courses.
In addition to its superb 18-hole course, the Sevilla club has an incomparable driving range, 120 metres wide and 260 metres long, also planted with Bermuda 419. Next to the driving range are the putting and chipping greens, large and featuring slopes similar to those on the actual course.
Gonzalo Goy, the club’s director of operations, believes that Royal Sevilla Golf Club has plenty of reasons to be considered among Spain’s finest courses.
“I think it stands out among the great courses of Spain for several reasons. The first, and perhaps most important, is the number of top-level championships we have hosted (he highlights the 2004 World Cup), one of the most important golf events held in our country,” as well as the 2009 Andalucía Open and three editions of the Spanish Open (2008, 2010 and 2012).
"Also, it is important to emphasise the golf course’s high level of maintenance, always prepared to host a major event throughout the year, maintaining excellent playing conditions."
Another reason for its greatness, he says, is the “great design by José María Olazábal, a course focused on top-level competitions, which is a great test for all professional players, but also where average-level amateurs can enjoy themselves, depending on the tee markers they play from, as this changes the degree of difficulty considerably and it becomes a very different course.
“We are also lucky to have an excellent team, who look after our clients and members in an exceptional way and add a bonus of quality to the Royal Sevilla Golf Club experience.”
Why should someone who is not yet familiar with the course make sure they play it?
At Royal Sevilla Golf Club, we encourage all players who do not know the course to come and visit us, not only to see first-hand one of the best golf courses in Spain but also to visit one of the most beautiful cities in our magnificent country, which has first-class cultural and culinary attractions, a perfect complement to our club.
What hole would you especially highlight on the course?
It’s difficult to have to choose only one, with such a variety of diverse holes. Perhaps one aspect highlighted by many of the great professionals and amateurs who visit us is the final test. Completing a round from the 14th to 18th provides great added value to the course.
But if I had to highlight a “signature hole” it would be the demanding 18th. The landing area of the drive is protected by a large lake on the left and two bunkers on the right. The lake that borders the green on the left and the bunkers on the right also hinder the second shot to an undulating green, a tight hole where you can make birdie playing it very well or double bogey if you get a little off-target.
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CHAMPIONSHIP DESIGNER
With his own design studio, José Maria Olazábal has been involved in golf course design for more than 20 years and can offer experience and specialisation of the highest quality standards. Top-profile professional tournaments have repeatedly been staged at some of his current 21 courses open for play: for example, the Spanish Open at Royal Sevilla Golf Club, a World Golf Championship on the Olazábal Course at Mission Hills in China, and the Open de Mallorca at Pula Golf.
The Basque star is regarded as one of the greatest European players in the history of the game. His career highlights include two major championship victories (Masters 1994 and 1999), 33 tournament wins around the world and legendary Ryder Cup performances. In recognition of his contributions to golf, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2012, he served as winning captain of the European Ryder Cup team, in an event known as the “Miracle at Medinah” and regarded as one of the most impressive comebacks in sports.
Most of his design creations are in Spain, but he has also designed golf courses in China, Qatar, the Maldives, Turkey, Greece and Italy.
IN BRIEF
Open to Visitors
Royal Sevilla is a private club but it is open to visiting golfers, with green fees ranging from €80 to €165 euros, depending on the season (there are three: the lowest in July and August, and the highest in September and from 16 February to 30 June) and if playing from Monday to Friday or on weekend and holidays.
A Very Sports-Orientated Club
In addition to golf, the club has many other sports facilities: nine tennis courts, 12 artificial-turf pádel tennis courts (two glassed-enclosed with stands), four swimming pools (one heated), two football pitches (grass), a gymnasium…
Sergio’s Shipwreck
Spurred on by 16,000 spectators at the course, Spain was just one stroke behind England on the last day of the World Cup, but on the 16th Sergio García sent his shot into the water, Miguel Ángel Jiménez also failed to hit a good tee shot and, in the end, Paul Casey and Luke Donald won by a single shot.
