Designer

Designer

Chaparral Golf Club was built in 1991 by Mr. José Gancedo Gomez, called by his friends Pepe Gancedo, and popularly known in Malaga, as the “Picasso del Golf”.

Born in Malaga in 1938, he started playing golf at the age of 12, becoming a scratch player and national figure of this sport. He maintained his love for this sport throughout his entire life.

He enjoyed a long and successful professional life within the world of golf, known as one of the world´s greatest player of his time.

Chaparral was built in 1991, by the popular Malaga designer, Pepe Gancedo, popularly known as the "Picasso del Golf".

Among his triumphs, the six Absolute Amateur Championships of Spain during the years 1966 and 1976, stand out, as well as another six Sub-championships between 1959 and 1977, two International Amateur Championships of Spain, in 1968 and 1969, and three second places in this same trophy, in 1963, 1972 and 1976.

He was awarded the RFEG Medal of Merit in Golf, the first Medal of Merit awarded by the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, in recognition of his sports career and his love for our sport and for the values attached to it.

Pepe’s true passion, beyond his sports career, was the design of golf courses.

Pepe Gancedo was considered one of the most creative Spanish designers, a genius who not only designed on paper, but created his golf courses inspired by the natural shape of the terrain.

Throughout the design process, he carried his golf club bag, modelling each hole to the smallest detail.

He always defended the theory that when designing a course you have to feel it, that’s why all his golf courses have a great personality. He is considered by many experts as one of the most emblematic designers of the 20th century internationally.

Thanks to his expertise, Chaparral Club de Golf has the honour of having one of the 18 most exciting and spectacular holes in Spain, being a demanding course, unique and integrating in the middle of nature.