La Cañada is a course that has a great deal of history as being the first municipal course in
Spain. It is a story of a small village wanting a golf course and when they got one they asked
for more. Before long there were more golfers in Guardiaro than any other village of its size
in Spain and this still remains the case. They originally constructed, or perhaps prepared is
a better word, a mountainside track and then the municipality gave them some land, Jaime Patino
became involved, Robert Trent Jones did the design and the original nine holes at La Cañada were
opened in 1982. Ten years later with a lot of financial help from the First Tee programme and
Jaime Patino again, the second nine holes designed by Dave Thomas was opened. That is what you
call perseverance and at the end it has produced a wonderful municipal course that is forever
being improved.
As for the course itself it is characterised by a variety of exotic trees with fantastic views
of the Rio Guardiaro, the Mediterranean and Valderrama. It is very well maintained with a
fine mixture of holes where the par 3's are impressive and particularly the seventeenth
where you play over the water. If that is not bad enough wait until you get to the eighteenth
where your drive needs to clear the Cañada ravine from which the course derives its name.
However it is not a difficult course to play and the other sixteen holes are that much easier.
The course welcomes and accomodates all standards of golfers. While you are playing take the
time to see how well the design fits in to the landscape and just how much progress has been
made since the early days of the local village golfers. This is a course to be enjoyed and well
worth a visit if you are in the area. It does get extremely busy and locals get preference so
visitors need to book in advance and should
contact us at Med Golf to secure a tee time.
On arrival the large new clubhouse will impress you and there is ample parking. The clubhouse
offers all the amenities with bar and restaurant facilities and large terrace area to enjoy the
views. There are excellent changing facilities, pro shop and a large practice area with putting
green. There are buggies available but the course is easy to walk. The staff will give you a warm
welcome and ensure your visit is a happy one. It is a symbol of how far this club has progressed
since the early days when you admire the clubhouse and the many youngsters that practice under
the watchful eyes of the local teaching professionals.
What a story La Cañada can tell.
