Golf in Euskadi, champions cradle
The fact that the Basque coast was a pioneer territory in summer tourism, with a significant influx of foreigners, is one of the reasons why the first golf courses settled in it. Chronologically, the Real Golf Club of San Sebastian is the dean of the clubs of the Iberian Peninsula, since it was founded in 1910. In 1925 it adopted its current name and 40 years later, it moved its facilities from its initial location in the vicinity of Lasarte- Oria to the slopes of Mount Jaizkibel, in the city of Hondarribia-Fuenterrabía. An entertaining 18-hole golf course in Euskadi, located on a 50-hectare site that saw the great champion José María Olazabal, who at the age of 18 won the British Amateur Championship and at the Augusta Masters (twice), being captain of the European team of the Ryder Cup and winner of the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports in 2013.
Between both courses, bording with the famous Zarautz beach, there is the third oldest golf club of Spain: the Real Golf Club de Zarautz (inaugurated in 1916). It has a peculiarity: its 9-hole course is the oldest active route in Spain, since it has not moved its location and its streets and its greens have not been practically modified.In the last decades, golf in Euskadi has had a very important development, in terms of players and facilities. In the vicinity of San Sebastián, a 18-hole course called Basozabal was inaugurated, while in its surroundings –in Andoain– another 9-hole course called Guiburu was built. In Bizkaia, next to the previously mentioned Golf of Neguri, there are six other interesting courses that are situated in the metropolitan area of Bilbao, being possible to practice golf during the whole week in different courses each day with minimum trips.