The nine-hole Spanish paradise: seven excellent golf courses in Cantabria
Oyambre was the first golf course in Cantabria, inaugurated by Alfonso XIII in 1924
The logic of urban golf environments indicates that to build a golf course the market that surrounds it must be 50,000 inhabitants. Likewise, first you have to start by opening practice fields, then a nine-hole course and, when everything is mature, expand to 18 if it is the case. However, in the cradle of Spanish golf , this sport goes in other directions. It is true that Huelva and Las Palmas were ahead of the introduction of golf in our country, but since the Royal Family decided to bet on this activity a century ago (first in Oyambre and later in Pedreña ) that seed was firmly planted. A great champion like Ramón Sota emerged from the mountain quarry , followed by his nephewSeveriano Ballesteros ; and, thanks to the persistence of the genius for making his hobby popular, the first municipal field in Spain was inaugurated in Santander, which has continued to promote the quarry throughout Cantabria.
Mataleñas is a jewel of nine holes located on the ascent to the lighthouse of the capital, which acted as a fuse for all kinds of fields of this size to flourish over the years. La Junquera was developed in Pedreña itself , currently under a private concession; in Comillas the one in Rovacías, which by being part of a hotel is the only specialized resort in the region; In Agüero , the Ramón Sota School follows in the trail of the pioneer with a cute Pitch & Putt design with Seve's signature and even Ballesteros himself designed nine extra holes in his usual club on the part facing the estuary of Vats.
With the ever-living example of Oyambre , an authentic link on the beach of the same name that is the oldest of all (1924), the case of Noja , in the other part of the province , also stands out . Thus, the paradox arises that there are more courses with nine holes (seven) than 18 (four). Pedreña, Santa Marina, Abra del Pas and Nestares give a game to those seeking more distance, in what is the highest concentration of golfers by number of inhabitants.
