About
On the opening day of El Saler, considered Arana’s finest work, he famously cried tears of joy, declaring, "I have created a masterpiece," underscoring the passion and dedication he poured into his designs.
Javier Arana is widely regarded as the greatest Spanish golf course architect. His career began after the Spanish Civil War, transitioning from a top amateur golfer and greenkeeper to a gifted golf course designer. He was appointed by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation to oversee the reconstruction of golf courses damaged during the war, notably collaborating with the renowned English architect Tom Simpson from 1945 to 1948.
Throughout his career, Arana designed or remodeled around ten 18-hole courses over 30 years, including iconic layouts like Club de Campo in Madrid, El Prat in Barcelona, Guadalmina in Marbella, and El Saler near Valencia, his masterpiece. Arana’s designs are known for their deceptive simplicity, challenging players strategically while blending harmoniously with natural landscapes. He pioneered the transformation of Spanish courses from sand greens to high-quality, grass-maintained venues, paving the way for the growth of Spanish golf.
Despite building relatively few courses, they have hosted numerous major tournaments like the Spanish Open and the Canada Cup, enduring as top-rated courses in continental Europe. Arana's impact on Spanish golf architecture is profound, and his legacy remains influential.
