New investment and repairs to the course has allowed it to open in time for the Spring season.

Rates vary between €65 in high season to €45 in low season.

2010 was a record year for arrivals at Malaga Airport with over 12 million visitors using the new facility. This was the first increase in numbers since the recession raised its ugly head in 2007.

4.2 million British visitors arrived in Malaga and a staggering 588,000 Irish. This probably makes the Irish the most frequent visitors per capita to the Costa del Sol.

The Spanish Authorities has reduced the speed limit on motorways from 120km to 110km.

This is their response to the rising cost of energy. The move is extremely controversial as the experts do not agree that such a move will increase fuel efficiency. Revenue from fines will certainly increase. You’ve been warned.

2010 was the wettest year in Malaga province since records were first taken in 1942. We suffered over 1207 litres per square metre.

The start of 2011 has seen been a vast improvement over 2010 with only a few days rain so far. One day in particular was very wet.

We will let you know in the next newsletter the total amount raised.

We have concocted another easy and painless way for you contribute. As many of our golfing groups like to make the game interesting with a little flutter each day we will be asking all of our groups who come out on a trip to donate a day’s betting proceedings to the appeal.  More to follow.

For those of you who may have missed the appeal or who want to revisit it please click here

The powers to be have announced the opening date for the much needed San Pedro Tunnel as the end of April this year. With a bit of luck we may have it open for Easter. However we can assure you that it won’t be open until it’s open, if you get our drift!

As a result of the civil unrest in North Africa we expect that Spain (a safe Haven) is set to benefit tremendously from the unstable situation.

This is likely to put upward pressure on certain tourist services such as accommodation and car-hire.

As in previous years we would advise all our clients who rent cars from us during the busy summer months to book them as soon as possible. We expect that this year will see a shortage of cars again.

Our excellent Car Hire partners Espacar have included the Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet in this year’s fleet. So if you are looking for the ultimate driving experience in the sun this is it.

Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet

Marbella Golf & Country Club has finally been able to demolish the terrible eyesore of the 11 floor shell on its 18th hole. Erected in 1974 this edifice was tied up in a legal wrangle even before the first property crisis hit Spain.

It has lived trough at least 3 property bubbles but is now no more.

The 11 storey structure was intended to be a luxury hotel for a north-American hotel chain. The building, which was clearly visible from the N-340 and from the AP-7, became better known as a bird sanctuary over the years as much as a reminder of Marbella’s turbulent past.

Marbella Golf & Country Club in conjunction with the Town Hall see the demolition of the structure as part of the new image Marbella is determined to project for the future.

Golf Experience has negotiated very special rates at the 5 star Le Meridian Penina Resort which include daily golf at their Henry Cotton designed Championship course or the Resort course.

Being a guest at the resort is also one of the few ways of securing a round at Portugal’s top rates San Lorenzo course. Consult us for a competitive proposal.

Le Meridian Penina Golf Resort Algarve

Penina Resort testimonial

Seamus,

Just a quick note to say thanks for looking after us so well in Portugal. Everything went like clockwork and it was a great trip for all concerned.

It was great value and I am pleased to say that the next trip was being discussed before we even finished this one! Needless to say, your company will be our first choice going forward.

Please feel free to use me as a reference for any other groups that might be going to Penina.

Tom Moore

Golf Experience has invested heavily in a large selection of Golf Clubs for rent. This is in response to the exorbitant prices being charged by airlines to transport clubs. It is now generally cheaper and far more convenient to rent while here.

Ask us for a quotation.

We would like to have a regular Jokes section and it’s not for want of material of which we receive copious amounts daily. However suitability for publishing is often an issue.

So when we do get something deemed humorous, inoffensive and politically, gender and race correct we will pass it on.  That’s a challenge!

We thought this one would just about qualify.

He left home around 8:30 to play golf with his friends.  On the way out the door, he answered his wife’s “What time will you be home?” question with “Probably around 1:30 – I’ll have lunch at the club.”

1:30 came and went, 3:00 passed, 6:15, still not home, finally at about 7:00 PM he rolls in the driveway, leaves his clubs in the garage, and presents his wife with a pizza, and begins the apologetic story.

We finished our game about 11:30, had lunch, and I started home, when alongside the road I saw this attractive girl with a flat tire on her car.  I stopped to help, got the tire changed, and looked around for a place to wash my hands.  She offered money, but I refused, so she suggested that I at least allow her to buy me a beer.

She said there’s a tavern just up the road, and they have a restroom, you can clean up a bit.  I agreed to stop, we had a beer, then another beer, then a couple more, and I realized that this girl was not only pretty, she was very friendly, and a good companion to spend time with.  Before I knew it, we were in the motel next door ……….  And that is why I am so late getting home.

His wife looked him right in the eye and said “Don’t bullsh…. Me, you played 36 holes, didn’t you?”

This year’s field promises to be absolutely stellar. In the last few weeks we have received more confirmations from some of the top golfers in the planet.  World number 2, Lee Westwood has confirmed he will be playing the tournament as well as young European star Rory McIlroy (World n.8). We are also awaiting confirmation from World n.1 Martyn Kaymer. The Match Play is shaping up to become one of the best events on the European Tour schedule for 2011 Here is the complete list of players (with World ranking) that have qualified and confirmed their participation: Lee Westwood (2), Graeme McDowell (4), Paul Casey (7), Rory McIlroy (8), Ian Poulter (13), Robert Karlsson (17), Francesco Molinari (18), Ross Fischer (39) and YE Yang (43). Hopefully we will have more great news in the coming weeks If you wish to review tournament info in detail, please visit: www.volvoworldmatchplay.com

The good news for non-smokers visiting Spain is that at the second bite of the cherry Spain has managed to step into line with the rest of Europe in relation to anti-smoking laws.

The previous legislation had a few loopholes resulting in a very cloudy interpretation of the law.

Now there can be no ambiguity – smoking indoors is illegal unless you end up in a Spanish jail where you are free to smoke!

A lightening strike by Spain’s highly paid air-traffic controllers may have been the defining moment in the Spanish government’s tolerance of trade unions. Massive disruption was caused during the busiest travel week in the year in early December (incorporating 2 national holidays).

The government took the draconian step of placing the airports and their staff under martial law and anyone disobeying an instruction such as refusing to work would be court-martial led and thrown in jail.

This was an amazing decision from a hitherto tolerant government. They seem to have finally appreciated the public’s outrage. Either that or many politicians had holiday plans disrupted!

Another series of planned strikes for Easter and summer has been averted.

Jet 2 have commenced a twice weekly service.

For the second year in the running, Finca Cortesin Golf Club has been awarded golf course of the year in the Marbella Awards presented by Essential Magazine. Also in the Spa category, our beautiful Spa Cortesin, has won the 2010 award.  Each year, the Essential Magazine “Marbella Awards” recognize the achievements of local enterprises, and the event this year was the most successful ever. These “Awards chosen by the people”, are voted by thousands of people on the internet, covering 13 different categories including restaurants, beach clubs, hotels, golf courses, spas, etc, are a faithful reflection of the general public’s opinion. We thank all those who voted for us and the most sincere congratulations to all the staff of Finca Cortesin Golf Club and Spa Cortesin. If you wish to read detailed information of the event, please visit link: www.essentialmagazine.com/home/marbella-awards

Teaching the perfect line to aim in putting is almost impossible. We all see the putts differently and only experience will tell you how to choose the perfect line.  If you take the most difficult green at your home course and divide it in 4 quarters and putt to the centre of the quarter from all the possible angles, you will learn to read the line correctly. That is the secret of the Tour Players; they have a great knowledge of the greens because of the great job they did (and their Caddies) before the tournament. This is the way to learn to choose the correct line. In the exercises shown in the pictures, you can see that both putts started in the desired line. Only the break (gravity) made the ball move away from the line I selected. Find the most difficult putt in your putting green, putt from different angles until you learn the perfect line and speed.

Alhaurin Golf & Country Club

After 3 years of building works, 2 of which was not open to traffic, the road connecting

Alhaurin Golf and Costa del Sol (La Cala de Mijas) has just re-opened.

Road works started in order to refurbish the road, shorten it slightly and make noticeable improvements regarding safety.

All this has successfully been achieved, having left a magnificent new road which makes it possible to drive up to Alhaurin Golf Club in 12 minutes, departing from La Cala de Mijas. This is a great step forward as it used to take nearly 20 minutes with the old road.

With the A-7053 just completed, Alhaurin Golf has got 4 active access roads, 3 of which are new so:

• When coming from Mijas Costa: A-7053 (aprox. Driving time 12 minutes)
• When coming from Marbella: A-355 and then MA-3303 (aprox. Driving time 25 minutes from La Cañada Comercial Centre)
• When coming from Guadalhorce Valley through Alhaurin el Grande: A-387 (driving time, 5 minutes)
• When coming from Malaga Airport: A-7 and then A-7053 (aprox. Driving time 30 minutes) or A-7 and then A-368 to pass by Mijas Village (aprox. Driving time 30 minutes).

This new access situation is without a doubt one more reason to visit Alhaurin Golf and enjoy one of the most spectacular golf courses in Costa del Sol, full of character, beauty, challenges and views. A four star hotel and La Ventilla Restaurant may also be of interest to the visitor.