Golf Getaways The Costa del Sol...Spain's Sunniest Side by Ed Holbrook Nestled between the craggy greenish-brown of the Andalusian Mountains and the glistening blue of the Mediterranean Sea is a strip of Spanish coastline known as the Costa del Sol. This coast of the sun boasts 326 days of sunshine per year which makes it a year round magnet for golfers. The Andalusian Mountains overlook the course at Los Naranjos. The white architecture with tiled roofs is typical of most buildings on the Costa del Sol. A host of well-maintained, inviting golf courses hug the coastline, offering all levels of players plenty of game to keep them occupied for a long time. Indeed, this is home to the esteemed Valderrama, a regular stop on the European PGA Tour and site of the 1997 Ryder Cup. Our itinerary last July landed us in Malaga. After loading ourselves into a rental car we thought was a little on the smallish side, we were immediately introduced to the N340 Motorway. This four-laned, median-divided superhighway is the "main drag" up and down the coast. (It's not only the main drag, it's the only drag.) After a few days of playing "dodge 'em cars" on the motorway, parking in the tiniest spaces imaginable, and paying for gasoline by the liter, we decided our car was just the right size! Indeed, our little car took us and our golf clubs to some fun golf experiences, including Los Naranjos, Torrequebrada and Valderrama. For different reasons, we can recommend them all for play. In English, Los Naranjos means "The Oranges" so, of course, there are orange trees on the course and orange trees visible in the distance. This wide-open, fairly flat layout most closely resembles a Florida course. Residential development surrounds the fairways and there is very little out-of-bounds to give you trouble. Here, as everywhere, we were amazed at the brilliant colors of the flowers, especially the ever-present bougainvillea. Torrequebrada, near Malaga, is more challenging than Los Naranjos. With some strong elevation changes, shot-making here is more crucial and difficult. From those elevations you're treated to stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Ed and his caddy prepare to putt on the 17th green at Valderrama. And then there's Valderrama...just as lush and gorgeous as you've seen it on TV. Probably the most perfectly manicured course we've ever had the privilege to enjoy, this famous venue gave us the feeling of being in a cathedral. While we expected the back nine to be tough, the difficulty of the front nine was surprising. Getting around took lots of pantomime and hand gestures between us and our mostly-Spanish-speaking caddy. Valderrama also enjoys superb views of the Med and on a clear day, you can see Gibralter from the higher elevations on the back nine. And remember the TV scenes of the grueling 17th hole...the one framed by the magnificent bougainvillea draped over the wall? Well, the TV cameras just didn't begin to do it justice. For those of great stamina who have an adventurous spirit, a real change of pace golf day is provided in the hills above San Pedro at Monte Mayor. (In fact, it's on a gravel road so far up in the hills they've had to post signs to encourage you along the way..."Don't give up," "You've almost made it," etc.) This almost-bizarre course goes up and down to the point of being scary...especially when you look back at the cart path and see where you've been. Like we said, not for the faint of heart but lots of fun for those who have the time and energy..and plenty of golf balls. A steady stream of visitors stroll across the border from Spain to British-owned Gibralter. The Rock's west side holds a bustling community that stretches from the sea all the way up the side of the famous landmark.     Just riding along this beautiful coast lined with its characteristic white buildings is a sightseeing treat in itself. There are plenty of chances to dip your toes in the Sea or enjoy a meal of divinely fresh seafood right at the water's edge. We thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon spent on Gibralter and definitely recommend making time for it. This British-owned community covers the west side of the mammoth rock and spills over at the bottom. It's a short walk across the border along a road that's dissected by an airport runway. Tours can be purchased at the border so you can be sure you see all the Rock has to offer...the caverns, the Pillars of Hercules, the ruins of the Moorish castle, and the Barbary apes. A winding mountain road going north from San Pedro took us to Ronda, a centuries-old village on top of the mountain. On the face of it, it could be just another very old mountaintop village, except that Ronda sits on both sides of a gorge that's 500 feet deep with the ruins of Roman baths at the bottom. One of those places where you scratch your head and say, "Why did they do that?" Besides the gorge, the center of attention in Ronda is the bull ring in the middle of town. It's one of the oldest in Spain and still functions regularly. The Marbella/Puerto Banus area is a popular place to headquarter for a Costa del Sol visit. Marbella is a splendid town where the waterfront area is new and modern with hotels and restaurants, and the charming old town lies across the boulevard and up the hill. Narrow, cobbled streets snake among the ancient buildings, many of them leading to plazas where people gather to visit, sit by a fountain, or enjoy a meal at one of the many outdoor cafes. In a place with so much sunshine, and where the winter temperatures rarely fall below 40° F, an outstanding golf vacation is a no-brainer. In fact, now would be a good time to go. LAST CALL FOR THE MASTERS... Availability for the Masters packages is going quickly. Don't miss your chance to experience the mystique that is Augusta and the tournament that so defines American golf. Masters Week is April 5-11. You can be there.   Ed and Sue Holbrook are golf travel connoisseurs in their spare time, as well as by occupation. Together as Holbrook Golf Travel, they provide custom, worldwide golf travel packages. You can reach them by calling 561-770-2222 or 800-785-7180.