FABULOUS 50

IT’S no laughing matter, but El Paraiso is the real celebrity golf course of the Costa del Sol.

The Holy Trinity of British TV comedians Bruce Forsyth, Jimmy Tarbuck and Ronnie Corbett have all graced the privileged fairways of the Estepona course, which hits 50 this Spring.

Opening in 1973, the stunning fairways have also seen some of the world’s best golfers play a round or two, including Seve Ballesteros and Tony Jacklin. But given it was designed from scratch by the world’s best known golf designer, Gary Player, that is no surprise.

The South African, who has constructed more than 400 golf courses in 35 countries, always had the same philosophy: courses must be suitable for both professionals and amateurs.

He certainly left his mark on the beautiful Paraiso Valley, where he created what is rated as one of the best designed courses in Andalucia.

The El Paraiso story is one of people who had a vision and carried it through, and of those who have continued to develop it; in partnership with the members who love golf, but also a club that has united them throughout their lives; in short, the stories of the peo-

El Paraiso, one of the Grande-dames of Spanish golf hits its half century in Estepona

ple who have made this anniversary possible.

It was in 1968 that a Belgian family, the Mols, bought 200 hectares of the valley alongside a business partner Fernando Gillis.

Construction began and through the 1970s it became one of the most popular courses on the coast.

From the 1980s it changed hands a few times until finally it became subject of a successful members’ buyout.

The majority owner of the club was by then UK construction giant, Wimpey, but it had made a commercial decision to concentrate its interests in the UK and relinquish ownership.

The company was persuaded that the members could finance the purchase. So the committee, with more than the required 50% approval, moved forward with the purchase.

May 21, 1996 was the big day when after more than a year of negotiation, they were successful in buying the club- house and golf course and converting it into one of the few member-owned golf courses on the Costa del Sol.

The key upside being that all profits were reinvested into the club and course improvements.

By 1993 the club had over 400 members and, apart from golf, offered a very active social life. Today the club’s membership is made up of more than 23 nationalities and it has become an international club with an extensive calendar of events.

Throughout these 50 years, the history of El Paraiso has been linked to its members' generosity both with money and time.

In particular, the ladies clubbed together to raise money to refurbish their changing rooms while many have purchased trees for the course.

But perhaps the most valuable thing that members give to the club is their time. From the board to the club committee, to the many committees required for social activities, handicaps and the organisation of other events. A lot of it is unseen but it is the mainstay of the club and its ethos.