The Benahavís Senior Masters takes place at La Quinta Golf & Country Club 14th - 16th October

Underlining the significance of the Costa del Sol as a golfing centre, the European Tour returns for the third year to Benahavís in October to celebrate the Benahavís Senior Masters at La Quinta Golf & Country Club. To be played between the 14th and 16th the event draws some of the world’s most popular golfing legends – past events have seen Sam Torrance, Costantino Rocca and José María Cañizares as well as La Quinta’s course designer and resident Ryder Cup hero, Manuel Piñero – and with prize money of 180,000 euros up for grabs this year the leaderboard is sure to be filled with familiar names.

Benahavís has become a stronghold for golf with several of the coast’s more prestigious courses within its boundaries. Property developers understand the value that front line golf positions give to their properties, and some of the bigger players have chosen Benahavís as their preferred location. One of the first was La Quinta itself with apartments and villas around the three 9 hole courses, along with Los Arqueros, from British constructors Taylor Woodrow, and the stunning Monte Mayor course which winds around mountain sides further up into the hills. More recently the exclusive courses of La Zagaleta and the Marbella Club have added significantly to the area’s reputation with beautiful rolling green fairways around some of the more spectacular luxury properties to be found anywhere in Europe. Indeed, anyone with a love of country peace, natural beauty, and, of course, great golf, need look no further than Benahavís… another of the Costa del Sol’s lesser known jewels.

Not only is golf a huge draw, but the golfing tourist contributes more to the local economy, spending over 90 euros a day in the are on average.

The popularity of golf is not a new phenomenon. For years Spain has been wowing the sector with beautifully kept championship courses. Perhaps the most significant change over the past couple of decades has been in the way in which property and golf have become so closely related, with many resorts now offering a complete home and golf package.

Living on the golf course has numerous advantages – in addition to having your favourite pastime literally on your doorstep, properties on the golf course have guaranteed views and a self imposed building density which cannot be changed – once your property is next to the fairway, the fairway will always be there.

Golf property on the Costa del Sol has held its price very well. Where other developments have struggled during the slump of the past years, golf property has maintained it’s value far better. And where property ownership includes golfing rights, this seems to be yet more so.

And this trend seems to be continuing. not only are developers looking to offer property and golf, but the resorts now include other facilities also, such as tennis, horse riding and spas. Perhaps being a golfing widow is easier in Spain than it is in other places!

With some of the world’s greatest players competing on what is one of the relatively new championship course in the area, it is a huge endorsement of the area’s importance in the golfing world.

In a week that has seen golf, and Spanish golf in particular mourning the passing of Seve Ballesteros, it is a fitting tribute that such a major tournament is being held on the Coast.

Golf has become an incredible draw for southern Spain with entire resorts being developed around the courses. The attractions are numerous and varied, not only are more and more people enjoying the sport, but the entire golf course concept presents a special win-win situation to everyone involved.

The property market is one of the biggest winners. As the golf course weaves its way around the gently rolling hills of this stunning part of Andalucia, with the mountains as a backdrop and the Mediterranean spreading to the horizon, so there are fabulous opportunities for real estate development on the adjacent land. Not only does the frontline golf villa help to make the course itself more attractive, but for the property owner it makes for a guarantee for the future. If your Marbella property overlooks a golf course, well, it will continue to overlook the golf course and the view will be assured.

Golf property, particularly frontline golf property in Marbella, Nueva Andalucia and Sotogrande has also held its price extremely well over the past few years where other properties have been devalued. Those on the more established courses such as Valderrama,  Aloha Golf and Royal Las Brisas, are still considered prime locations and will continue to be so.

So as the world’s best golfers take up the challenge at Finca Cortesin, it is worth reflecting on the impact golf has had on the Costa del Sol – such an influence, that for many the alter ego is gaining the upper hand.

The design of this development has many Arabic influences, which at night lit up creates a magical atmosphere in the electric blue night sky of the Med. Charming walkways with fountains and green Mediterranean plants lead through to the manicured gardens with a sensational Moroccan design swimming pool surrounded by lawn and palm trees.

This beachside development in Guadalmina comprises 49 units of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments as well as some rather spectacular 3 and 4 bedroom penthouses, each of which comes with its own plunge swimming pool and breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside out to the sea.

The apartments are of a very high quality and comparable to some of the most sought after developments currently on the coast. The penthouses offer some really special features such as a private lift directly into your home and attic style living room roof with wood beams.

Standard with each apartment are the always important underground parking and storage rooms. Lifts provide access from the garage to all floors. Kitchens and bathrooms are fully equipped with a pleasant contemporary style. It is also a secure development with security at the main entrance and CCTV throughout.

The prices are highly competitive for a brand new development with all mod cons. The best penthouse units with both sea and mountain views are under €1 million. These prices compare very well with other developments of similar quality that are perhaps a year or 2 old.

If you’re looking for a property in the heart of the Golf valley, beachside and close to all the major locations on this part of the coast, this is definitely one to consider.

You can see more details about this beachside development in Guadalmina Baja here.

The main areas of attention are the development of the range and quality of tourist services – in both rural and urban areas – and their communication to the public and tourists alike. Additional information points, centres and offices offering extensive information pamphlets will be created, along with improving signposting for areas of interest.

As well, a conscious encouragement is being promoted of the need for quality for both industry professionals and the public alike, with additional training programmes for those working in the industry.

These programmes compliment the other major infrastructure developments taking place along the Costa del Sol. The new Malaga International Airport will double its current capacity when it opens in Easter 2010 and with it, road and public transport links to and from the airport are being heavily upgraded.

Golf is one of Andalucia’s primary tourist segments and it is not surprising that the 12th International Golf Travel Market was recently held here. Andalucia is home to 25% of all Spain’s golf courses with 1 in 4 golf tourists choosing the southern region. Luciano Alonso, the Andalusian Head of Sport and Tourism, highlighted the industry and region’s ability of bucking the trend of falling tourism figures.

At the recent World Travel Market fair held in London, the Costa del Sol embarked on a substantial branding campaign highlighting the area as an all year round destination. Apart from the 325 days of sunshine a year and the 160km of beaches on offer, other tourism attractions such as golf, health and beauty, language study and conference tourism were all promoted.

With such a diversified portfolio of activities and quality services for tourists to choose from there is no doubt the tourism industry will lead the Costa del Sol into the future, with a promotion of excellence across the board. This last quarter of the year has already seen improvements, with tourism figures buoyant and British tourists returning as things at home become more stable.

Source: www.livingstone-estates.com

These dates are a must for all golf enthusiasts. “The influx of overseas spectators to both events is impressive and always impacts heavily on rental demand. Advance bookings for rental properties are already being secured” comments, Lionel Lunshof, Rentals and Service Manager at Livingstone Estates.

As for the Volvo World Match Play Championship, after 44 years at its spiritual home of Wentworth, this year the championship is resurfacing in a new guise at the exclusive Finca Cortesin Golf Resort near Marbella in Southern Spain. The tournament will comprise a total of 16 players divided into 4 groups of 4. Each participant plays 3 matches over the first 2 days on 18 holes. The group winners go through to play the 36-hole semi-finals on the Saturday with the final played on the Sunday.

The Benahavis Senior Masters is a week long event comprising of practise rounds and obligatory Pro-AM. This is then followed by the tournament itself which is played over 3 days at the La Quinta Golf & Country Club within close proximity to Marbella, Puerto Banus and San Pedro.

The rentals department at Livingstone Estates is well prepared for the expected rise in demand for holiday accommodation close to these two locations. Ready to give a helping hand to clients who would like to attend these events, a selection of rental property can be viewed on www.worldmatchplayfincacortesin.com

If you would like more information about golf rental accommodation, contact Livingstone Rentals on +34 952 424 484 or by email to info@livingstone-rentals.com. Alternatively, you can view a selection of long term and holiday rentals on www.livingstone-rentals.com