From a course designed by a legend to the famous 19thcentury lighthouse, Mallorca’s only coastal layout has been a beacon of Spanish golf for two decades.
This year marks the 20th year since Club de Golf Alcanada officially opened for play, with the first members of the public teeing off on October 1, 2003.
As the club prepares for the return of the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final in November, it’s the perfect time to look back on some of the incredible milestones and moments from the club’s journey so far...
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1985 – The Idea
Club de Golf Alcanada was almost two decades in the making by the time it opened in 2003. At a dinner between Hans-Peter Porsche and current club president Federico Knuchel, the pair decided to make their mark on the golf scene that had been growing in Mallorca for several decades.
A site was chosen in the far north of the island, making Alcanada the only golf course in Mallorca to be situated right beside the ocean – a distinction it holds to this day.
1998 – Robert Trent Jones Jnr
After years of negotiations to gain an array of permits and licenses, the time came to dream up a course worthy of its location. Porsche and his team turned to Robert Trent Jones Jnr, one of the finest golf architects of the era with more than 70 designs under his belt.
Trent Jones Jnr was the mastermind behind a course that blends effortlessly into the landscape of coastal Mallorca. Over two decades later, Alcanada’s par-72 course is still recognised as one of Spain’s best.
2002 – The Golden Ball
To celebrate the completion of the course, Hans-Peter Porsche held a private tournament with friends, marking the first competition on Alcanada’s fairways.
Porsche started the round on November 11 by striking the ‘golden ball’, the first of hundreds of thousands of golf balls that would traverse the course in the decades to come.
2003 – Open to the Public
The details
Nearly two decades of hard work and perseverance – with the help of some magic from Robert Trent Jones Jnr – culminated in the moment when Alcanada first opened to the public on October 1.
First impressions were already positive, with particular praise for the course’s exciting layout and breathtaking Mediterranean views. More than fifty bunkers make the course a stimulating challenge for golfers of all abilities.
2005 – Tee Times Spaced Out
The year 2005 saw a significant change to operations at Alcanada, with intervals between tee times extended from 10 minutes to 12 minutes.
The club made the decision as another way to improve the player experience, giving customers more time and space to enjoy their round – and the views – at their own pace.
2007 – The First Big Tournament
With rave reviews right from the start, it was only a matter of time before the club hosted its first big tournament. The Spanish Senior Men’s Individual Championship came to Alcanada in May, marking the biggest event of the venue’s short life up to that point.
The first player to be crowned on Alcanada soil was Miguel Preysler, who shot the best round of the tournament on the final day to win the competition by two strokes.
2009 – Setting a Marker
In 2009, Alcanada became the first course on the island to install GPS screens on their golf buggies. The sophisticated system gave the club complete control over its fleet, as well as giving players more options and information than ever on the course.
The development was a sign of Alcanada’s desire to be a trendsetter in golf, as well as the club’s relentless pursuit of the best possible service for their customers.
2010 – Seal of Approval