José Maria Olazábal

José María Olazábal has translated his deep understanding of championship golf into a growing portfolio of course designs, primarily across Spain. His work reflects the strategic thinking and short-game precision that defined his distinguished playing career, with layouts that challenge golfers through thoughtful bunkering and green complexes rather than sheer length.

His design credits span diverse Spanish regions, from the coastal layouts at Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club in Andalucía—where Las Palmeras, Los Ficus, and Los Olivos showcase different routing philosophies on oceanside terrain—to mountain settings like Aravell Golf Andorra in the Pyrenees. Notable commissions include reimagining historic venues such as the Masia and St. Esteve courses at Club de Golf de Barcelona, and crafting the challenge at Real Club de Golf de Sevilla.

The La Sella Golf Resort features multiple Olazábal eighteen-hole combinations, including GreGal-Mestral and LLebeig/Gregal, demonstrating his ability to create varied experiences within a single property. His portfolio also extends to mainland courses like La Faisanera near Segovia and Corvera in Murcia, establishing him as one of Spain's most active contemporary architects.

Sources: Course Vaults course links only.