Since its inauguration in 1976, the Los Lagos course, the first of the two that make up Mijas Golf, has become one of the most successful courses on the Costa del Sol. When it was inaugurated, there were barely ten golf courses in this tourist destination, that is to say, seven times less than those existing today.
At that time, golf course promoters did not skimp on economic means, and there were also large estates suitable for creating magnificent golf facilities. In this case, one of the greatest golf designers of the time and of all time was hired: Robert Trent Jones, who in previous years had designed the courses of Valderrama (then called Las Aves), RCG Sotogrande, Las Brisas and La Duquesa on the Costa del Sol (in later years he would create Torrequebrada, Los Naranjos, Los Olivos and Marbella Golf).
The English-born designer applied his “difficult par, easy bogey” philosophy to Los Lagos, with a course with very little rough, abundant water and relatively flat. This 6,536-meter layout features wide fairways bordered by numerous lakes, hence the name of the course. The nine lakes on the course allow water to be a natural obstacle on 11 of the 18 holes.
The course has numerous bunkers and a wide variety of large native trees, strategically placed to protect its wide, flat greens. Among the arboreal and floral species that populate Los Lagos are casuarias, araucarias, weeping willows, jacarandas, tipuana acacias, fig trees and some coconut trees, strategically located to protect the wide greens.
It is a course with few slopes and large and flat greens, the extensive tees allow to increase or decrease the difficulty of the course at convenience, and when the ball is hit, the sand traps and water hazards must be taken into account.
Eight years ago the course underwent a complete overhaul, necessary after almost four decades of existence and whose first priority was to restore the magnificent design by Robert Trent Jones, which had undergone some modification during that long period. The original par 72 of the course was recovered, gaining distance, water became a more important part of the game with different lakes participating in several holes at the same time, the grove was enlarged with 350 new trees, a new irrigation system was installed, the lawn was completely changed, more distance was gained for drive flight, a complete circuit of paths for buggies was made, drainage was improved…
The course was significantly improved, upgrading an already superb playing experience for golfers of all handicap levels. Los Lagos and its younger brother Los Olivos (opened eight years later), also designed by Robert Trent Jones, have made Mijas Golf International one of the most successful commercial clubs on the Costa del Sol.
Green fees and offers
The ‘official’ green fee at Los Lagos is 60 euros in low season, 85 in mid season and 95 in high season, although there are early bird offers of between 50 and 66 euros. The buggy fee varies between 28 and 35 euros, depending on the season. To see rates, offers and book: www.mijasgolf.org
All services
The club has a driving range, car rental, hand and electric carts, putting area, chipping and practice bunker, restaurant, store, changing rooms, showers, social club and public parking. Individual and group golf lessons are available.
Stellar competition
One of the star and most successful competitions of the Costa del Sol calendar is the Pro Am Felipe Perez, in memory of the former director of Mijas Golf. It will celebrate in August (days 7 and 8) its eighth edition. Last year 400 players participated.
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