After several years of relative inactivity, Andalusia, the Spanish region with the most number of these types of sports amenities, is once again the scene of golf course construction fever.
Only in 2003 in Andalusian lands, Ignacio García designed 4 new golf courses in Costa del Sol: 2 in the Golf Valley of Mijas, 1 in Mijas, 1 in Marbella; 3 are in project of execution and 1 in phase of construction. In addition, 3 more inland designs in phase of negotiation that Ignacio García will develop at the beginning of next year 2005: 1 in the province of Cádiz and 2 in Almogía, Málaga.
Demand by tourists avidly seeking out sun and golf is encouraging the creation of new golf courses, and many residential projects also include a golf course as an added attraction to sell their properties. In fact, over the past year a dozen courses have opened in Andalusia, lifting the total to more than 80.
Cádiz province, especially its coastline, is the most active as far as new courses are concerned. There is also movement on the Costa del Sol, in spite of a problem with lack of land, which is why developers are moving away from the sea and building inland, where prices are more accessible and the rural scenery attracks a large number of golfers – especially foreigners.
Mijas, which has a dozen courses, is another municipality in the throes of a golf revolution. Its “Golf Valley” (an area of the same name also exits in Marbella) is the planned site of several new courses, as La Noria -a 9-hole course due to be expanded soon to 18. Second 9 holes are designed by Ignacio García.
