. The first major milestone in the history of golf in our country was the opening of Las Palmas Golf Club, on the island of Gran Canaria in 1891, followed since then by many others that have shaped a vibrant story

. Other milestones could be included in this report, prepared in five installments for posterity, but all of them reflect the vibrancy of a sport that always wanted to grow.

Milestones are defined as specific yet significant events that mark an important moment in the development of a process or in a person's life. The broader and richer the history, the greater the number of milestones it contains, reinforcing a sense of glory that, in the case of sports in general and golf in particular, becomes increasingly appealing. 

Not surprisingly, we recently celebrated with joy the 130th anniversary of the founding of Las Palmas Golf Club, the first golf course in our country created thanks to the efforts of some British settlers residing at that time on the island of Gran Canaria. 

That moment, of course, marked the first major milestone in the history of golf in our country, followed since then by many others that have shaped a vibrant story full of dozens and dozens of issues of objective interest.

Below are some of the most representative milestones in the long and prolific history of golf in Spain. Of course, there are many more that could certainly be included in this report, compiled for posterity, but all of them reflect the dynamism of a sport that has always strived to grow. From 1891 to today and into the future that awaits us.

1891 – Foundation of Las Palmas Golf Club

It came about thanks to the enthusiasm of a group of British residents on the island of Gran Canaria, who spearheaded the creation of a golf club on land known as 'Lomo del Polvo'. This was the genesis of the current Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, the oldest golf course in Spain for which precise documentation exists. From that same period, the last decade of the 19th century, there is also evidence of the North Lode Golf Club in Riotinto (Huelva), established by British miners from Riotinto.

1894 and 1896 – Birth of the oldest trophies in the history of Spain

The Palmer Cup and the Robinson Cup were contested for the first time in Las Palmas, making them the oldest golf trophies in Spain. Even more significant is that they are still contested today.

1904 – Foundation of the Madrid Polo Golf Club

A precursor to the Real Club de Golf de la Puerta de Hierro, on land located in what is now Nuevos Ministerios. This initiative spurred the construction of other courses in Spain, such as RCG San Sebastián (1910), Neguri (1911), Pedralbes (1912), the precursor to the current RCG El Prat, Zarauz and Buenavista (1916)...

It is also worth highlighting the case of the El Tiro Country Club, located on land known as Casa de la Mata, near La Granja (Segovia). Originally created as a pigeon shooting range, the first documented design for a golf course dates back to 1904, with an initial 9 holes and plans to expand to 18. After considerable difficulty, it was finally ready for use in the summer of 1907. A notable aspect of this process is that the El Tiro Country Club and its golf course remain in the same location where they first came into existence.

1911 – First edition of the Spanish International Championships

That year saw the first edition of the Spanish Men's and Women's International Championships, now known as the Copa SM El Rey and Copa SM La Reina. The Count of La Cimera and Elena Potestad were the first winners of these now over a century-old competitions. 

1912 – The first Spanish Open is a reality

A year later, in 1912, the first edition of the Spanish Open was held. With over a century of history and nearly one hundred editions—despite interruptions during the Spanish Civil War and some years when it was not held due to financial difficulties—it is one of the classic European professional tournaments, second only to those played in Great Britain and France. The first Spanish winner was Ángel de la Torre, who went on to win again in 1916, 1917, 1919, 1923, 1925, and 1935, distinguishing himself as the player with the most titles in the history of a tournament that has radically changed in both its format and participation.

1932 – The Spanish Federation of Golf Clubs is founded

In that year, the current Royal Spanish Golf Federation was founded, initially under the name of the Federation of Golf Clubs of Spain, and presided over at that time by Luis Arana. A few years later, in 1940, after the Federation Statutes were approved by the Spanish Olympic Committee, the organization we know today as the Royal Spanish Golf Federation was established.

1935 – The first International Amateur Matches arrive

In the 1930s, and continuing into the 1940s and 50s, the first international matches began to be organized, pitting the Spanish national team against Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. Golf was beginning to gain some traction in Spain, and it was necessary to compare it with other countries to assess its level of development. The sporting results of these matches became increasingly satisfactory.

1942 – The Spanish Teachers' Championship is born

A precursor to the current Spanish Professional Championship, its name deserves special mention, as it directly alluded to the people who taught golf at clubs. In its early years, it was held intermittently due to financial difficulties, but from 1953 onwards it was held continuously, with the growing recognition of the instructors as true golf professionals.

1950 – Publication of the Green Book

This work, prepared by Gerardo Artiach in collaboration with Manuel Armet, detailed the foundations of current golf competitions held in Spain. The time had come to standardize certain aspects affecting tournaments held in the country, providing them with the necessary uniformity of criteria for the proper functioning and development of the sport.

1954 – Golf Magazine is born

Driven by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, for decades it has witnessed all the golfing events in our country under different names (Golf, Hierro 1, RFEGolf). Two years earlier, in 1952, the RFEG's first official publication, the golf yearbook, was released, a compendium of results, courses, and various data. The time had come to respond to the growing need for well-informed Spanish golfers, whose numbers were gradually increasing until they became a significant group.

1954 – First Spanish representation in a prestigious international professional tournament

The honor fell to Sebastián Miguel and Carlos Celles, who became the first Spanish professional representatives outside our borders by competing in the second edition of the Canada Cup, precursor to the World Cup of Golf.

1958 – First teaching license awarded to a woman

Elvira Larrazábal, with a brilliant amateur record accumulated throughout the 1940s and 50s, turned professional in 1958, becoming the first woman with a professional golf instructor's license in Spain. Later, other women followed, albeit in small numbers, a trend that didn't reverse until well into the 1990s, when women began to actively and significantly contribute to the history of Spanish golf, highlighting the work done by the pioneers.

1959 – First European Amateur Golf Championship 

It was held for the first time in history at the Real Club de Golf El Prat from June 22nd to 27th of that year. The Barcelona club successfully organized the tournament, which featured very few participating countries. The genesis of this important tournament led to many subsequent editions, in which most of those who, years later, became major stars of continental professional golf participated—a process that continues to this day.