225 Aloha_206 Las Cimas de Almenara 20/05/14 18:46 Página 4
CLUB DE GOLF ALOHA
GOLF COURSES
the championship culminating in a prize-giving dinner and party. Our aim is that people can enjoy the club as if it’s theirs.” Another major event at Aloha is the Andrés Jiménez Memorial pro-Am, held in December for many years now and highlighted by the star participation of Miguel Ángel Jiménez. “It’s held over a weekend, brings together numerous professionals, and there is a spectacular atmosphere,” says the club manager. Also held at Aloha is a tournament in aid of children suffering from “butterfly skin syndrome” (epidermolysis bullosa), a key annual event on the Costa del Sol that attracts nearly 200 players, as well as the “Golf Valley” event held in conjunction with Las Brisas, and many other competitions.
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he impeccable maintenance, and pampering and meticulous care applied to everything at Aloha, is clearly noticeable. Unfortunately, it is no longer commonplace to build courses like this: i.e. no houses, expansive and in the best possible area. The venue for European Tour events and major amateur competitions, Aloha is a course that undergoes constant evolution and renovation, and over the past four years there has been a major revamp of the club in order to improve the already high level of its amenities. “Recently we have renovated the clubhouse and chiringuito (hut) on the ninth hole, and expanded the parking area with a new storey. At the end of last year we inaugurated our new health club, thus boosting the range of services for our members (restaurant, pool, physiotherapy, golf school) and converting Aloha into one of the most comprehensively diverse clubs on the Coast,” says Rafael García Buitrago. “We have always taken good care of the course, but now we doing so even more diligently – if that’s possible! – to ensure it is perfect. We believe we have done our homework very well, with the added value that Aloha has made such a great effort during a period of crisis. Our commitment to quality means the club will remain a standard bearer on the Costa del Sol.” Aloha is a very active club with regard to competitions, both open and for members. “Our least active season is summer,” he explains, “because most of our members are from northern Europe and many return to their home countries at this time of the year, so we can take advantage by organising sponsored open events.”
One of the highlights is the Aloha Cup, an initiative by club president Rafael Fontán, scheduled for mid-August. “We want people to come along and enjoy our club,” says Rafael García Buitrago, “and the best time is summer, when it’s quieter and members’ play isn’t affected so much. We are in the process of finalising details, the competition format, an invitation trophy event with a limited number of teams, and the idea is that, apart from being able to play golf, people can also enjoy our club, with
Andalucía Golf / España Golf
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