What would have become of Spain’s most illustrious golfer without Royal Pedreña Golf, located in the small Cantabrian town where he was born. At this spectacular grass-covered watchtower on the stunning Bay of Santander, Seve Ballesteros debuted as a caddy when he was barely nine years old. His father worked on the golf course as a gardener and his uncle, another illustrious figure in Spanish sport, Ramón Sota, also started in golf as a caddy at the same club. Sota went on to win four Spanish Championships, was twice runner-up in the World Cup, and finished seventh in the 1963 British Open and sixth in the 1965 Masters at Augusta, the best classification by a European in the US championship up till then.
The club’s history dates to the late 1920s, when it was founded as an association, Real Club de Pedreña (Royal Pedreña Club), on 29 December 1928. It received its “Royal” status from King Alfonso XIII; and the first board of directors had the Spanish monarch as honorary president and the Duke of Alba as president.
At the same foundation meeting, the purchase of 274 farms that originally formed the golf course – whose construction was at the initiative of Queen Victoria Eugenia – was agreed. The course became a reality thanks to the work of a group of Cantabrians, some by adoption, who were brought together and overseen by Ramón Quijano de la Colina to bring to fruition the queen’s desires.
After visiting several areas around the province they chose their definitive location in Pedreña. Notable was the valuable collaboration by residents in Marina de Cudeyo (the municipality to which Pedreña belongs) who, appreciating the importance of having a golf course, facilitated the acquisition of the required land.
The course was designed by Harry S. Colt. The topographic nature of the land – a wooded hill in an idyllic location, with a peninsula surrounded by the Cantabrian Sea and the Cubas estuary – enabled the English experts to develop a golfing masterpiece that was considered one of the finest in Europe, and at the time the most modern, right down to the last detail.
The original 18-hole course, 5,272 metres long and a par-67, has undergone several modifications to improve it throughout its history, and it is currently a par-70 extending 5,764 metres.
SEVE'S NINE HOLES
In 1992 the club was expanded with a new nine-hole course designed and built under the direction of Seve Ballesteros, the club's honorary member (as was Ramón Sota). It is a stunning layout with seven holes following the slope along the Cubas estuary and ending with two holes within the typical Pedreña forests near the clubhouse.
Added over the years to the golf course, which is highlighted by fairways lined with centuries-old trees, are sports facilities including two swimming pools, a children's chalet and a pádel tennis court. Apart from the 18-hole course, there is a small par-three layout set up as as a practice area and complementary to the driving range.
The excellence of the layout designed by Colt was recognised and praised by his colleague and equally renowned golf architect Tom Simpson, who in 1946 wrote the following... “The course was planned 20 years ago by Mr. Colt, who applied the most skillful intelligence to the science of a golf structure. Noting that today, after 18 years, the course is still modern and perhaps the best we have seen among those of a similar type, and from the point of view of project and construction, constitutes its best praise. Pedreña is, in my opinion, the best golf project by Harry Colt on the continent. Generally speaking, we have nothing but praise for the layout of this course whose location is, of course, stunning considering its aesthetic value. The holes on elevated ground are as good as at any of the other courses we have seen, not even excluding Pine Valley in the United States. In short, due to its location, panorama, charm and aesthetics, Pedreña surely has to be considered one of a kind.”
MAJOR COMPETITIONS
Royal Pedreña Golf has been the venue for many major competitions, including the first in 1930, an international match between France and Spain. The Santander and Cantabrian championships have been held there since 1940; and four Spanish Professional Championships, three Spanish Opens and 60 Spanish Amateur Championships (in different categories) have also been played at the course.
In addition, there have been important encounters between major world stars, such as Seve and José María Olazábal against Tom Watson and Payne Stewart, and a match between the captains of the 1997 Ryder Cup, Seve and Tom Kyte.
Royal Pedreña Golf, whose current president is Javier Botín O’Shea, has about 1,500 members.
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THE DIRECTOR'S VIEW
Pedro Navedo explains the reasons why he considers the club he runs to be one of the most prominent in the country.
What qualities would you highlight for Royal Pedreña Golf for it to be rated as one of the finest courses in Spain?
Royal Pedreña Golf is located in a privileged setting on the Bay of Santander and the Cubas River. It has a very balanced design and the course has a high level of maintenance throughout the year. It is a great golf experience that you should have at least once in a lifetime. It is also the course where Severiano Ballesteros played so many times, so it is an inspiration for golfers to enjoy this layout.
What is the most spectacular hole on the course?
It is difficult to choose a single hole as there are several very special ones. The 14th offers a spectacular view of the Bay of Santander from the green. The eighth flies over the Cubas River and, depending on the tide, two totally different landscapes can be viewed. The par-threes are very good, especially the seventh. The 18th is a good hole to end on, with a stunning view of the clubhouse. You have to play it to see first-hand...
Any advice or "trick" to secure a good score on your course?
The course is not long, so distance is not a problem. It is a comfortable course to play but defends itself very well, with fast greens and subtle slopes. You have to be very accurate with your approach shots to the greens.
What does Seve's name mean for Royal Pedreña Golf?
Seve is the best ambassador our club could have. All that can be said about Seve, in words, falls short. Not only has he been one of the greatest players in the world, but he was also someone with enormous charisma who took Pedreña's name with him all over the world with great pride.
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THE DESIGNER
Harry S. Colt (4 August 1869 – 21 November 1951) was a lawyer and secretary of Sunningdale Golf Club, in the English city where he was born. He became one of the world’s finest course designers, as demonstrated, for example, by Wentworth and Pine Valley, which he co-designed with George Crump in 1918.
In France he designed the Le Tourquet course; and it was always said that Muirfield was not a great course until Colt remodeled it. He later partnered with Alister MacKenzie, working together at Cypress Point, Augusta National and Royal Melbourne in Australia.
He designed 115 course alone and participated in the design of 200 more on five continents. Before Royal Pedreña Golf, he had (in 1914) designed the first Spanish course that extended over more than 4,300 yards, Sant Cugat Golf Club.
The phrase "the sun never sets on a course designed by Robert Trent Jones" is equally applicable to courses designed around the world by Colt and his associates.
Colt led the Cambridge University golf team in 1890, and seven years later he was one of the founding members of the Royal & Ancient Rules of Golf Committee.
A lawyer, designer and England representative golfer, he played in two majors in his time: the British Open and the Amateur Championship. His best result in both championships was 32nd.
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IN BRIEF
Club President – Duke of Alba
The Duke of Alba, the club’s first president, referred to the Pedreña course in these terms during its inauguration… “It is one of the best in the world and represents considerable progress for Santander along the path it has taken to be a major centre of attraction for international tourism."
The Queen’s Impetus
Queen Victoria Eugenia was one of the great promoters of Royal Pedreña Golf... “This course has not been built to satisfy a wish of mine,” she said, “but to provide Santander with an important complementary option for summer – we are all obliged to work for its prosperity”.
The Price of Quality
Enjoying one of the most beautiful courses in Spain is a healthy whim that almost everyone can afford. It is a private club but open to visiting golfers. The price: in winter €115 from Monday to Friday. and €165 Saturdays and holidays. In July and August: €200 and only midweek days.
