Mobile - Official Tourism Site of the Region of Valencia - Beta -

For the design, he looked to a young player that had begun to make his mark on the European circuit, winning the Swiss Open, the Ebel Masters and the Sanyo Open in 1986. His name was José María Olazábal, who went on to win the Masters in 1994 and 1999.

In 1987 Olazábal struck the first ball into the pine, almond and carob trees that grew on the designated land. Bañó chose José María even though he was only 22, when he could have asked Nick Faldo, the player in vogue at that time.

The result is an impressive course with wonderful views of the mountain and the Mediterranean not far off. Course alterations over the years to improve on the original design have always been supervised by Olazábal himself.