Madrid Golf

Sustainable renovations at Real Club La Moraleja improve playability and efficiency

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The Real Club La Moraleja has recently completed a comprehensive renovation of its Course 2, significantly reducing water and maintenance needs by approximately 30%.

The Real Club La Moraleja, located in the Community of Madrid, boasts a rich history since its founding in 1973. With its four 18-hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, the club has hosted prestigious competitions such as the World Cup of Golf and the Spanish Open. Course 2, opened in 1990 and developed by Nicklaus Design under the direction of architect Ron Kirby, is a challenging layout with large lakes affecting several holes, transforming it into a unique and challenging golf course.

La Moraleja is one of the most prestigious golf clubs in Europe and has been chosen by many Tee Times Golf Agency clients, to whom we have offered the best golf and tourism packages for their Spain golf holidays.

Real Club La Moraleja Course 2 renovation

Reopened on April 13th, the 9-second holes of Course 2 had been closed since November for renovations, including an overhaul of the irrigation system, levelling and alignment of all tees, renovation of the 15th and 16th hole lakes, total remodelling of bunkers on holes 12, 13, and 15, and the creation of new gravel areas around several tees.

According to Íñigo Angulo, Director of Golf at Real Club La Moraleja, this significant two-phase renovation, with the first phase targeting holes 1 to 9 last year, aims to provide a more sustainable course with improved playing conditions year-round. “The new irrigation system, modern and tailored to the current turf structure of the course, will ensure better coverage and uniformity, ultimately enhancing playing conditions,” adds Tony Bonnett, Head Greenkeeper at Real Club La Moraleja, in dialogue with the prestigious media platform www.golfindustria.es.

With these renovations completed, the Spanish Golf Federation will conduct a new assessment of Course 2’s layout, and the club will adjust hole handicaps based on recent competition results.

The renovation work, including irrigation system replacement and lake refurbishment, was undertaken by specialized contractors GTM Golf and Garden & Golf. At the same time, other improvements were handled by the club’s maintenance team.

Furthermore, the renovation involved redefining non-play areas, incorporating gravel surfaces to reduce turf coverage, fostering sustainability, and lowering maintenance demands.

Completion of bunker renovations on holes 12, 13, and 15 marks the final phase of comprehensive bunker upgrades, focusing on playability, aesthetics, and sustainability.

Reseeding with Agrostis stolonifera is planned for the coming summer, with continuing efforts to improve turf quality and resilience against disease and ensure long-term course viability amidst evolving environmental regulations.

Club La Moraleja’s sustainable renovations signify a commitment to environmental stewardship while enhancing the golfing experience for members and visitors alike. Now comes the turn of the golfers, eager to discover and enjoy the new design of the course.

La Dehesa Golf Implements AI

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La Dehesa Golf Implements AI

La Dehesa Golf Implements AI
Since November, the Madrid Golf Club La Dehesa Golf has been employing the capabilities of Maya, which is an artificial intelligence system, to supervise the maintenance of its eighteen-hole course.

Additionally, in addition to ground probes, the club has already created a meteorological station through its efforts. The Maya project can obtain vital information from this equipment, which enables it to gain insights into the current state of the topic that is being investigated. Using this information and the feedback provided by the greenkeeper, it is feasible to construct prediction models that are capable of anticipating potential dangers, such as illnesses or pests, up to three days in advance.

It has been reported that Abel Jiménez, the manager of La Dehesa Golf Club, has stated that “it is essential for us to leverage technology to remain at the forefront of efficient and sustainable resource management.” As a result of Maya’s capabilities, through which she supplies us with the necessary data and analysis, we can recognise potential obstacles that may arise in the future.

One of the goals that Maya has set for herself in the not-too-distant future is to be able to offer tailored guidance for certain golf courses. For this purpose, the information that is obtained from integrated sensors as well as the knowledge of greenkeepers will be utilised. Through the process of streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and lowering total expenditures, Maya, who is widely referred to as “the greenkeeper’s helper,” plays a vital role in the process.

In December of this year, La Dehesa Golf Club, along with nine other golf courses, will be a symbol of the leading edge of Spanish facilities for their adoption of digital transformation and artificial intelligence in golf course management. This will be the case since these golf clubs maintain their courses using these technologies. As a direct result of the combined efforts of all of these individuals, the golf industry is currently transforming both operational efficiency and sustainability.

Spain’s Top Golf Courses for 2024-2025

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Spain Top Golf Courses

Spain’s Top Golf Courses
The Advisory Council of the Club Leaders Forum has released the results of the 2024–2025 Platinum Club elections, which covered all over the world, Asia-Pacific, and Europe-Middle East areas.

Four golf clubs in Spain are among the top 150 in the world, with renowned facilities like Augusta National Golf Club, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club dominating the list.

– Real Club Valderrama (32nd): This renowned golf club in Sotogrande is known for its challenging course and has hosted the Ryder Cup and the Volvo Masters.

– Real Club de Golf Las Brisas (126th): A golf course located in Marbella, this green is recognised for its beautiful green landscapes and water hazards, providing a one-of-a-kind golfing experience in the heart of the Costa del Sol.

– La Reserva Club Sotogrande (142nd): Another treasure in Sotogrande, this golf club in Costa del Sol features a superb course design set against the Mediterranean backdrop, creating a gorgeous and strong golfing landscape.

– Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro (148th): This golf course is located in Madrid. This historic club is renowned for its rich legacy and dedication to maintaining the sport’s past in Spain. It’s closed to the general public and available to members only.

The platinum clubs and honourable mentions were chosen through an open and confidential voting procedure. The accuracy of these results has been confirmed. Clubs with the platinum designation represent the peak of global private clubs. The Advisory Council appoints a prestigious international voting group comprised of professionals and enthusiasts from 22 different countries. This committee uses seven specific criteria to create the gold standard for private club excellence.

Top-tier clubs worldwide embrace these qualities, which include widespread recognition and member quality, as well as facility excellence, superior service standards, management capability, adaptability, and overall experience. They underlie the operational culture and represent best practices, ensuring that awards are only given to organisations that are unwaveringly committed to excellence.

A proprietary point system is used to establish ranks. Panellists assign scores to each club, resulting in a total score. This aggregate score is then averaged depending on the number of panellists who voted for each team, determining its ranking position.

Make sure you visit these top-tier golf courses across Spain with us here at Tee Times Golf Agency. We are always ready to provide you with the best golf holiday options in Spain and Portugal.