Major refurbishment work complete as La Cala's Asia course reopens

Situated in the foothills of the beautiful Mijas Mountains with breath-taking views of the stunning Andalusian countryside, La Cala’s superb 54 hole resort offers an idyllic rural retreat just 20 minutes from Marbella and only 30 minutes from Malaga airport. This week, the oldest course – Campo Asia, which opened 30 years ago – reopened following a major refurbishment programme that saw all greens upgraded to Bermuda grass in a bid to improve sustainability and year-round conditioning, and all bunkers fully renovated.

The three superb championship courses at La Cala – Campo America, Campo Asia and Campo Europa – each present unique challenges and slot seamlessly into a natural, undulating backdrop of trees and flowers, rich with birds and wildlife. Designed by world-renowned golf course architect Cabell Robinson, each 18-hole layout has been created to ensure a truly exhilarating experience. An additional 6-hole, par-3 course and world-class golf academy complete the La Cala experience.

In recent years, La Cala Resort has embarked on a major improvement programme to enhance its courses’ reputations yet further. Campo America was the first to benefit in 2018, with the 4 th and 15 th holes undergoing extensive remodelling to improve playability and all bunkers refurbished to enhance the aesthetics as part of a comprehensive upgrade.

Now, as La Cala celebrates its 30 th anniversary this year, the resort’s elder statesman, Campo Asia, has benefited from an important upgrade. The course, which was the first of the three to open in 1989 and which has co-hosted The Alps Tour Q School for the last seven years along with Campo America, is now the first course on the Costa del Sol to switch to Bermuda grass on its greens, via the ‘No-Till’ method rather than relaying turf. The major refurbishment programme has also seen all bunkers renovated to improve the course’s visual appeal and conditioning.

The course was closed for two months to complete the work following a successful Bermuda grass trial on one of the resort’s practice greens. The No-Till process, which involves scalping and verticutting to help kill off the existing grasses and allow the switch to Bermuda, is possible where the existing greens have good drainage and solid construction, which Campo Asia’s do. The end result is not only better year-round putting surfaces, but significantly improved sustainability as Bermuda greens require substantially less water. The risk of grass diseases is also far lower and the putting surfaces are less reliant on the use of chemicals and fertilisers.

“Turning around such an ambitious project in a matter of months is an incredible achievement and testament to the hard work of everyone involved,” says Sean Corte-Real, Director of La Cala Resort. “The new Bermuda-grass greens will be among the best in the Costa del Sol all year-round and unquestionably the most environmentally-friendly, requiring less water, chemicals and fertilisers.

“We’ve also made sure the Asia Course is in pristine condition from tee to green by refurbishing every bunker. Cabell Robinson’s masterpiece is one of the most dramatic courses in Europe, and we’re delighted that every hole looks and plays better than ever.”

Campo Asia is a bucket-list course for golfers travelling to Spain’s iconic Costa del Sol with an increasing number of visitors opting to walk the 5,935-metre layout. With electric and push trolleys available for hire, it is a refreshing and convenient way to absorb the stunning surroundings of the Mijas Mountains and Mediterranean Sea in the distance.

La Cala resort boasts accommodation of the highest standard, including a newly renovated 107-bedroom hotel, a selection of on-site properties for sale; from attractive 2-bedroom apartments to opulent 5-bedroom villas spread throughout the estate of approximately four million square metres. Residents can enjoy the luxurious spa and a selection of excellent restaurants and bars. There are also further leisure opportunities with a FIFA-standard football pitch, running circuit, gym, tennis and squash courts.

Nestled between the arresting beauty of the Sierra de Mijas Natural Park and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, La Cala is a genuine haven of tranquillity. It’s the perfect base for exploring Andalusia and Spain’s fascinating cultural cities like Granada, Seville and Malaga.

For further information on La Cala Resort please visit www.lacala.com.