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Valderrama, the most famous Spanish golf course at an international level, continues to improve its amenities as part of an ongoing commitment to excellence. The club\u2019s president, Nuno Alberto de Brito e Cunha, Viscount of Pereira Machado, took over the reins in 2011 and, with his executive committee and general manager, agreed to an upgrade plan for the course that was initiated two years ago and is programmed to end next summer. The work affects both visible areas and infrastructure hidden from the view of players. Now nearly 30 years old, the course is in stunning shape. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
At the start of August, a new practice area attached to the driving range, and designed by Kyle Phillips, was opened with the aim of becoming one of the best in Europe, not just for its size \u2013 nearly 9,000 square metres \u2013 but also because of the range of shots that can be played: downhill, uphill, from the rough, from the fairway, from the bunker (there are three)\u2026 When a tournament is being held, this new area will be a great attraction for professionals when they want to practice. Next summer, a comprehensive project will be undertaken to improve the practice fairway, with the addition of target greens and a complete overhaul of the ball-striking area. <\/p>\n
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Another project being carried out as part of this investment plan concerns the tee areas on the course. All are being levelled off and turfed with Agrostis grass variety, which is the same used to cover the greens. This is not particularly common on a golf course, but the club management realized that, in order to boost the quality of the course, they needed to have these kinds of tees, perfectly levelled off and with new grass, cut the same as for greens, using manual equipment. <\/p>\n
Another major project was completed this summer: renovation of the whole irrigation system on the second nine holes (work will continue on the front nine next summer). New pipes, sprinklers, satellites, central computer and software have been installed\u2026 the latest technology in order to optimize water use and present the course in the best possible condition. <\/p>\n
Intensive improvement work has also been carried out on the characteristic cork tree areas around Valderrama. This included a major pruning operation, the effects of which are now extremely noticeable in the rough \u2013 which is of a much higher quality as it receives more sunlight. In addition, some strategic trees that had grown too much and were increasingly hampering play have been trimmed, so the course does not have any added difficulties and is fair for players. <\/p>\n
All the buggy paths have also been revamped, unifying their appearance and improving their condition.<\/p>\n
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VERY PLEASED<\/p>\n
Born in the stunningly beautiful Portuguese town of Cascais and a top amateur golfer, the Viscount of Pereira Machado says he is very pleased with the work carried out on the course, and the current state of the club he presides over.<\/p>\n
\u2013 You have now been at the helm of Valderrama Golf Club for three years. What assessment do you make of this period you have been in charge? <\/p>\n
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\u2013\u00a0 The assessment is positive because things have gone extremely well. We\u2019ve increased the number of members, the club\u2019s finances are in a very good state, it\u2019s a very democratic executive committee, all its members are businessmen with proven experience and successful careers, and we have a great vice president-treasurer, Juan Carlos Garay, who has done an excellent financial job\u2026 the club is very good. <\/p>\n
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\u2013 What is the project or change you would particularly highlight during this time?<\/p>\n
\u2013\u00a0 All changes are difficult. We inherited a fantastic club, a fantastic course, but there were problems because over a long time there are always vicissitudes that start to appear form day to day. What we did was adopt a consensus, and when you come into a place with a new perspective it is easier to see the mistakes, or rather the omissions, that a club might have. <\/p>\n
One of the \u201cproblems\u201d is that this club has a memorable history; there are very few clubs in the world that have such a history as Valderrama\u2019s when it comes to tournaments, with the Ryder Cup, American Express World Golf Championships and Volvo Masters. But it was also a club with a slightly old infrastructure, with the clubhouse needing a little love and attention. And golf courses need a revamp from time to time because the original design changes. The greens became small; the trees grew considerably. A golf course is a living being, so you have to accompany this development and try to ensure the course always reflects the designer\u2019s original idea \u2013 in this case, the great Robert Trent Jones. What we\u2019ve done is modernise it, but always respecting the original design. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Why did you commission Kyle Phillips to design the new practice area?<\/p>\n
\u2013 We commissioned him to do that, and the course improvements, because he worked with Robert Trent Jones, and for us that is a guarantee and a continuation of his work.<\/p>\n
\u2013 There is other news related to Valderrama Golf Club\u2019s name, as it as been granted a Royal title\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2013 Yes, His Royal Highness Don Juan Carlos granted us this honor shortly before his abdication. It\u2019s a matter of pride and enormous satisfaction for us. I played golf with him when we were children, and his father was also a keen golfer. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Another award received by Valderrama has been the Golf Merit Plaque bestowed by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation\u2026.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013 This is also a great honor for us, and I\u2019m very appreciative of the gesture by Gonzaga Escauriaza (president) and his executive committee, but I should actually confess that I was a bit surprised because I thought we already had it, for everything the club has done, hosting major championships, for Spanish golf.<\/p>\n
![](\"%5C%22images\/stories\/GolfCourses\/_q7u5681.jpg%5C%22\")
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\u2013 People miss these major tournaments at Valderrama. We will see any in the near future? <\/p>\n
\u2013 I believe this course deserves to host a major tournament. We\u2019ve had a rough patch with the economic situation, and I understand perfectly that for the main sponsor of the Andaluc\u00eda Masters, which was the Junta de Andaluc\u00eda (regional government), in the current times, it was very, very difficult to maintain that tournament. Fortunately, you can see in Spain that things are improving, and this is shown by the macro-economic indicators. I believe this country will once again host a major tournament \u2013 and I hope it will be here. We are doing what we can for that to happen. In the meantime, it\u2019s not a major tournament, but we do have a very interesting competition in October with Heineken, a two-day pro-am for members and special guests. The best players in the world won\u2019t be here but there will be players from the European Tour, Challenge Tour and Senior Tour. <\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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