The legendary and acclaimed Old Course, located in the facilities of “The San Roque Club” in Cadiz, reopened its doors to visitors on June 1 after an extensive renovation of almost a year.
The reopening of the Old Course is quite an event for golf sybarites as it is one of the true classics of Spanish and international golf. A magical place that even the greatest golfers like “Seve” chose to have a house where they could spend pleasant seasons enjoying the fantastic climate and the views of the Old Course.
The club first opened its doors in 1991 and quickly became one of Sotogrande’s favorite golf courses, with its Old Course originally designed by Dave Thomas, forming together with Valderrama and Real Club de Golf Sotogrande the golden triangle of Spanish golf. The clubhouse, former residence of the Domecq family, now fully renovated and with a fresh and classic look at the same time, becomes an unbeatable setting to start a round on the “Old Course” a course that meanders pleasantly and gently surrounded by lush hills, majestic cork oaks and charming villas.
As for the technical aspects of the Old Course and after a comprehensive renovation that has lasted 11 months, The San Roque Club confirms its commitment to excellence by implementing the highest standards of maintenance that can be found in the best courses in Europe.
On the criteria used for the extensive renovation, Project Manager Stephen Dundas says: “My first thought was to make the golf course as dry as possible at all times; I wanted it to play firm and fast. But it also had to be sustainable. A lot of projects start with great designs, but you can’t maintain them after three or four years.”
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PERSONALITY
After a first look at the course, it is surprising to see the new layout that eliminates the old rough areas and replaces them with “mulch” areas, which produces an effect similar to that of the pinnace at Augusta National and gives it a very different personality from the rest of the courses in the area.
“We reduced the turf area from approximately 55 acres to 37 acres, a dramatic reduction both to minimize the water and labor required for the golf course and to give crisp definition to the design. “
The greens, bunkers and all the playing elements have been redesigned and are now a gaming experience comparable to the best courses in the world.
With these ingredients it would be easy to think of The San Roque Club as an aspirational, “once in a lifetime” club for most players but nothing could be further from the truth.
The club’s goal is to have players choose The San Roque Club year after year as their golf vacation destination or as their club of choice for residents in the area. Therefore the main philosophy of the directors is to maintain a top quality, yet relaxed and friendly atmosphere, where all players who appreciate good golf are welcome and where player care is the center of operations.
To make the visitor experience even better, work is underway to open a hotel and several villas that will be available in 2023.
The first accommodation option already available is a villa located next to hole 1 with a capacity for 10 people and which, if requested by the clients, can include all the services desired, from cook or service personnel to personal trainer.
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AUTHENTIC GOLF ATMOSPHERE
The San Roque Club is one of those places where the player can feel the authentic golfing atmosphere cultivated over the years and macerated with unforgettable days of golf by its illustrious visitors. As an example, the hotel was the official accommodation for both the European and American teams during the 1997 Ryder Cup.
The Old Course also hosted the final phase of the European Tour Qualifying School for 13 years. “See you in November in San Roque” ended up being a phrase often repeated by the entire golf industry and where players like Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, among others, received the Tour card in San Roque. Later in 2005, the Old Course hosted the Spanish Open, a championship that returned in 2006, this time at the New Course.
The Old Course returns to the elite of European golf through the front door, being an excellent business card of a totally renovated and improved Club that will soon become a must for golf lovers. A true modern classic where the best is yet to come. The San Roque Club, a place to note in the agenda for our next golf vacation.
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