JOIN THE CLUB (Part 2)

The big question being asked by resident golfers during the past month or two has been "Why don't the golf courses here on the coast want members?". Well, the answer is, now they do. Last week, I promised to pass on information about the courses now offering membership, and there are now at least six or seven. But let's start with two of the long-established clubs which have catered for members for some years.

SANTA MARIA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Located next to the Elviria estate east of Marbella, the Sta. Maria club is run along English lines, offering membership on the basis of 1,700€ entry fee, with an annual subscription of 1,700€. Thereafter, members receive 10 free rounds each year, paying 10€ for each subsequent round and only 7.50€ for shared buggy. Therefore, a member playing an average of three rounds each week will be paying just under 21€ for each round, plus 7.5€ if he hires a buggy.

THE ROYAL MÁLAGA GOLF CLUB (PARADOR)
The course is situated near the international airport with direct access from the N340 highway. Owned and run by the Parador hotel group, the club is very popular with residents of Málaga city and nearby towns. Membership is predominantly Spanish with a healthy mix of ex-pats, which gives it a truly international flavour. The Parador Club offers individual and joint matrimonial membership. Individual membership costs 1,685€ per annum and there is no entry fee. This entitles members to 120 rounds each year, which works out at a fraction over 14€ for each round. For those who wish to play more often there is a supplementary package of 20 rounds, costing 280€ (14€ for each round).

For more information about these and other members' clubs, call me on 952 58 29 43.