More than 50 years of excellence
Our history
It all started in January 1972. A Californian golfer called Gregory Peters, owner of several shoe companies in Elche, discovered a spot between Cartagena and La Manga, in the Region of Murcia, and didn’t think twice. He bought the plot of wasteland known as Atamaría from the humble farmers who worked the land at the time, and set about building what is now one of the best sports and leisure complexes in the Levante.
Peters’ idea was to build a golf course. In 1972, the locals had never heard of a sport played on grass where a ball had to be putted into a hole with a club. But they set to work and in less than 11 months the course was laid out, the fairways fully defined and more than 3000 palm trees fully rooted.
This was just the beginning. More than 40 years have passed since that October. Peters, a great visionary and founder of the La Manga Club, counted some big names among his personal friends. He appointed the famous golfer Gary Player as the first director of golf, followed by Manuel Ballesteros, Seve’s brother, and Víctor García, Sergio García’s father. The rest was child’s play.
The golf courses were complemented by other facilities: a hotel, apartments, a football centre, 28 tennis courts and, once again, Peters relied on one of the greats to manage the tennis centre: Manolo Santana. In this way, La Manga Club became a benchmark in the sports and leisure sector, leaving an indelible mark on the Region of Murcia.
Timeline
1972
1973-77
1975
1980-85
1985
1987-97
1992-93
1994
22 November
1995
2012
2018
May
2023
1972
American businessman Gregory Peters initiated the construction of La Manga Club. It was the first golf resort in Spain to open with two courses.
22 October 1972
The first golf tournament was held, with a prize fund of 2,450,000 pesetas.
1973-1977
The courses at La Manga Club have hosted five Opens of Spain.
1975
Arnold Palmer hit a famous shot from the ‘Great Palmer Lake’ during a tournament.
1980-1985
Severiano Ballesteros was a golf tour pro and international representative of La Manga Club.
1985
German golfer Otto Bucher, then aged 99, broke a Guinness record by hitting a hole-in-one on the 12th hole of the South Course.
1987-1997
The Davis Cup was held at La Manga Club.
1992-1993
The Fed Cup was held at the Resort.
1994
The complex hosted the 3rd World Energy Conference, attended by more than 30 ministers from various countries.
22 November 1995
Two English players set another Guinness World Record by hitting the longest shot on hole 3 of the South Course.
2012
La Manga Club celebrated its 40th anniversary and remains one of the most imitated sports complexes in the world.
2018
The resort won the ‘Best Sports Complex in Europe’ and ‘Best Luxury Resort and Villas’ awards at the World Travel Awards, highlighting the quality of its facilities.
22 October 1972
The first golf tournament was held, with a prize fund of 2,450,000 pesetas.
May 2023
Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa
Opening of a hotel with renovated rooms, new restaurants, adult infinity pool and spa/gym.
