Ramón Espinosa, founder of Espinosa Golf Design, Ibergolf and Garden & Golf, one of the most renowned golf course designers and builders in Spain, has died in Madrid at the age of 86.
Born in the town of Carballino in the province of Orense on October 15, 1932, Ramón Espinosa’s outstanding activity was recognized by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation with the award of the Golf Merit Plaque for Garden & Golf in 2002.
Doctor in Agricultural Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and Master in Agriculture from the University of Wisconsin, in addition to being a golf course architect, Ramón Espinosa was directly responsible for the design and construction of numerous courses, including La Toja -his first job, of which he was always particularly proud, Mediterráneo Golf, Golf D’Aro, Fontanals de Cerdanya, Golf Valdeluz, Alborán Golf, Barberán, Bonalba, Calatayud, Serres de Pals, Alhama and a long etcetera, a prolific creation that made him one of the most important golf course designers in the history of our country.
His recognized activity led him to be elected President of the ESGA (European Society of Golf Architects) between 1994 and 1998, a position for which it is necessary to have designed a minimum of 8 golf courses (that have been built) of significant relevance. At the head of the ESGA, he promoted the adhesion of the Associations of Golf Architects of England and France to found the current EIGCA (European Institute of Golf Course Architects).
As a golf course builder, he worked with renowned designers such as Gary Player, F. W. Hawtree, Robert D. Putman, Ron Kirby, Robert Trent Jones, Javier Arana…
In a recent interview with Golf Industria, Ramón Espinosa stated that “I have always designed golf courses with the player and the environment in mind, creating fun designs with achievable challenges”.
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