Spain Provides Newest Members of World of Leading Golf

World of Leading Golf (WLG), an organisation representing many renowned golf clubs and resorts, has welcomed its first two members from mainland Spain: Real Club de Golf Las Brisas and Club de Golf Aloha, both located in Andalusia.

Just a mile apart, the two venues are both prestigious private-member clubs and have demonstrated an overriding commitment to quality and service.

Las Brisas - described by former US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger as "one of the finest courses on which I have been able to play" - is currently rebuilding its back nine holes under the auspices of renowned designer Kyle Phillips, the man responsible for such highly rated venues as Kingsbarns, Yas Links, PGA of Sweden National Golf Resort, and Verdura Golf & Spa Resort.

Paul Munoz, general manager at Las Brisas, explained: "Las Brisas aspires to be the private club of choice for those who appreciate an exceptional golf experience in a relaxing social environment, with excellent service, well-maintained facilities and superb dining. And these values chime perfectly with those of WLG, which accepts only the most meticulous of clubs into its fold."

Originally laid out by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Snr, in 1968, the Las Brisas course - which has hosted the Spanish Open - was opened before any of the current residential development was in place, so part of Phillips' brief is to reduce the visual impact of the housing on the back nine holes of the golf course.

Nowhere will this be felt more dramatically than on the 15th, where the close proximity of the existing houses and the pronounced dog-leg have long created issues. Now, with the lengthening of the 14th, there is an opportunity to straighten the drive, with the landing area created just beyond the site of the existing green, meaning the hole now plays as a strong, uphill par-five.

A short distance away lies Aloha, like Las Brisas, one of the most highly rated courses in the Costa del Sol's ‘Golf Valley', one of the highest concentrations of top courses in Europe.

The parkland course opened in 1975 - sadly just after the death of its designer, Javier Arana, who also created El Prat, Barcelona - and, therefore, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2015. A three-time host venue for the Open de Andalusia, Aloha undulates through trees and lakes with outstanding views of La Concha mountain and the Mediterranean Sea, and boasts European Tour veteran Miguel Ángel Jiménez as an honorary member.

The club's general manager, Rafael Garcia Bultrago, said: "It is a great honour for us at Club de Golf Aloha to be inducted into WLG. It is an organisation which upholds everything we believe in and being able to display the logo on our clubhouse not only reinforces our commitment to quality, but, perhaps more importantly, acts as a guarantee of quality for our members and their guests."

His sentiments were echoed by Claus Feldt, WLG's general manager, who added: "It gives us great pleasure to welcome Real Club de Golf Las Brisas and Club de Golf Aloha into the WLG family as the first clubs from the Spanish mainland. Previously our Spanish representatives had been from Mallorca, Alcanada and Son Gual. Both Real Club de Golf Las Brisas and Club de Golf Aloha have demonstrated the very highest levels of quality in our independent testing and deserve their place among the WLG elite."

Rebranded as WLG in early 2015, the association focuses on marketing and communication platforms for certified premium clubs in order to promote awareness throughout Europe. Print and on-line publications - such as the new guide and regular newsletters - serve as reference guides for the demanding golfer, while ‘members only' travel offers and other advantages help deepen the relationship between the designated golfers and WLG member clubs.

For more information visit www.world-of-leading-golf.com