Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

New Stirling & Martin-designed course opens in Costa del Sol

Azata Golf, a new 18-hole layout designed by Stirling & Martin, has opened for play. The course is the first new full-length layout on Spain’s Costa del Sol to open in the past decade.

Construction work began almost 15 years ago, but was halted in 2007 as a result of the recession. Contractor GTM Golf resumed work in 2017 and the course will officially open in January 2021.

The layout is set among hills to the west of Estepona, with the front nine dominated by views of the Sierra Bermeja mountain range and the back nine overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

“We have designed a really enjoyable course, with 18 unique holes to create fabulous memories for all golfers,” said Blake Stirling. “It’s not an extremely long golf course, but rather a technical and gorgeous layout. Instead of brute strength, the course hypnotises with stunning vistas, and requires patience, intelligence, accuracy and placement of shots for good results.”

The Arroyo Vaquero river flows alongside holes three to seven, and there are lakes in play on many holes, including a near-island par-three fifteenth hole. These water hazards create a wetland environment that attracts local and migratory birds and wildlife.

The design includes a putting green and short game area, and a driving range will be constructed close to the clubhouse.

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  • Azata
    Stirling & Martin

    A new 18-hole golf course designed by Stirling & Martin has opened at Azata Golf in Spain

  • Azata
    Stirling & Martin

    The course overlooks the Mediterranean Sea

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Stirling & Martin
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