The history of Lauro Golf dates back to many years ago, when it was still farmland and where the most important events were located in what is now the clubhouse, an old Andalusian building called Cortijo el Paredón.
This centenary farmhouse has a very interesting life behind it. It was built in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and it is said that it was once a refuge for the so-called maquis or guerrillas of the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War who hid in the mountains. Decades later, the clubhouse became the summer residence of the Eloy-García family who, during their vacations, hunted partridges and rabbits; and around it lived 31 settlers who took care of the service of the farmhouse, the shepherding, the production of oil, the vineyards and the wine press to produce wine. There is a legend that says that in the house of one of these settlers was sheltered the bandit Pasos Largos, who came to this farmhouse to receive help from the settlers escaping from the civil guard, and was wounded by a bullet but managed to flee. Today the holes of Lauro Golf are named after bullfighters and bandits following the Andalusian tradition.
Few witnesses remain who can confirm the veracity of the myths and popular legends; the only witness that could give veracity of what really happened in all these years is the majestic centennial ficus that reigns in the courtyard of the clubhouse, which currently provides shade to the player so he can relax after a good round of golf and that according to those who enjoy a good chat under its shade, has an enviable microclimate at sunset.
It was in 1992 when Lauro Golf was born, in an environment of special nature surrounded by olive and oak trees. From the beginning, the design of the complex was based on respect for the environment and nature, not only safeguarding the life of each and every one of the pre-existing century-old oaks, but also with the planting of twelve thousand trees over the years, most of them native to Andalusia, thus favoring an ideal microclimate. Such has been the transformation of the grove during all these years, that sometimes it is difficult to recognize the holes. As for the fauna, one only has to take a walk to observe the birds, ducks and geese that year after year return freely to Lauro Golf, as well as the rabbits, hares, shrews, etc. that are permanent residents.
Upward trajectory
Much has changed since then, and in these twenty years the trajectory of this golf course in Alhaurín de la Torre has been progressively ascending. In its beginnings it transformed its morphology from farmland to golf course, respecting to the maximum the orography of the land and the existing vegetation, even then it had only 18 holes designed by the late Folco Nardi, who did a magnificent job getting a technical course, but not difficult, requiring a good concentration and a correct choice of club. During the construction of the course, there were many rumors and speculations about what was to be inaugurated, so much so that it was even stated in the press that the construction of an aerodrome was planned for these lands.
The extension of holes 19 to 27 did not take place until 2003, these holes that were designed by Mariano Benítez have followed this same trend of a course that demands concentration and skill, completing the entire course, which can be played on foot due to its moderately flat character in its majority, although there are two holes located in the foothills of the mountain that give us an exceptional view over the Guadalhorce valley and the Mediterranean. Thus, this course currently has 27 holes, combinable nine by nine, all par 72, which will lead us to present a good card in any of the more than fifty golf competitions that take place every year in Lauro.
Since 2002, Lauro Golf went from being just a golf club to a large residential development thanks to the construction of an urban complex with townhouses and houses of excellent quality with an Andalusian air that does not break with the aesthetics of an inland village that Lauro Golf boasts. Accompanying the residential complex were various services oriented to golfers and fans of other sports on the rise. These services include the construction of a new driving range with a snack bar and golf academy, as well as a paddle tennis school, a lawn bowls club and an equestrian center.
In addition to the clubhouse restaurant, Mama Luchía Golf, there are two other bars/restaurants such as the Bistro Bar called La Risa and a Snack Bar located on the driving range called Kiosko.
In these 20 years, the baton of the Presidency of Lauro Golf has passed through three hands, from the first president of Lauro Golf Mr. Jorge Maldonado, former owner of the farmhouse, to Mr. Luis Jaime de Carvajal y Salas – Duke of Aveyro and finally to Mrs. Tove Maria Pedersen, current president.
Sportingly speaking, this course has produced, among others, a Spanish Cadet Champion in the 90’s, Julio Fernandez, and more recently a Finnish Junior Champion who trains at the Lauro Golf Academy.
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