Race to Costa Del Sol Showcases the Majestic Los Naranjos Golf Club

Los Naranjos Golf Club is hoping to utilise the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana as an opportunity to showcase and enhance its global appeal.

In addition to exhibiting its marvellous course to amateur golfers, the facility is also hoping to host future high-profile events from both the amateur and professional circuits.

The Marbella venue provided an excellent destination for the climax to this season’s Race to Costa del Sol on the Ladies European Tour, as Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikkul was crowned the winner of the season-long competition.

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda won her national title for the first time and she heaped praise on the venue whilst Julian Romaguera, general manager of the golf club, believes that this event can help propel the facility to a global audience – largely thanks to substantial investment it recently received.

“Ever since I joined the club in 2016, I had the vision of hosting a Tour event here, but I was not comfortable enough with the quality of standards we were providing both in the clubhouse and the golf course,” Romaguera said.

“I have had the opportunity in my career to work in the golf industry in USA, Asia and Mexico and I wanted to bring a bit of the best of each place to the club. Over the years we have been improving in all aspects to make significant changes to make big tournaments happen.”

He continued: “this tournament was very important to the reputation of the club, both domestically and internationally, and we’re delighted with the feedback that we have received and believe that it will be the start of an exciting new chapter for the club.”

Los Naranjos relished in its inaugural hosting of the Open de Espana and the players were met with a mighty test of their golf game on the 7,143-yard, par-72 Robert Trent Jones Snr layout.

The renovation work that took place helped to bolster the tees, fairways, green and bunkers; drainage has also been upgraded to ensure guests can enjoy this first-class golf course all-year round.

Ciganda, a five-time Ladies European Tour winner, was delighted with her performance and to secure victory on native soil for a second time.

“I’m very happy, it’s a tournament that I really wanted to win. I love Spain and to win your country’s tournament is something very special so I’m happy with the way I played. To shoot two bogey-free rounds around here is great golfing, it was quite tough in the back nine with the wind, so I was please with how I played all week.

She concluded: “It’s hard to explain [winning in front of a home audience], I get emotional because I love Spain and I love my family, so it’s just amazing to win this week.”

Winner of the Costa Del Sol Order of Merit, Thitikul, was full of praise for the venue and the vicinity’s tourist board for being exceptional hosts.

“It is a pleasure to have been able to play in the Costa del Sol region as the 2021 Race to Costa del Sol champion – it means the world to me.

“I am honoured to have won this title in my first full season on the Ladies European Tour and I would like to thank the Costa del Sol Tourist Board for their support.”

This was just the start for the region of Andalucia, as the build-up for the 2023 Solheim Cup – hosted at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa – will begin shortly.

If you’re interested in experiencing the excellent course at Los Naranjos, then you can book a trip with Golfbreaks here.