La Cala Golf World Open 2026

Held at La Cala Resort near Mijas Costa in the Malaga province, the XXI La Cala Golf World Open runs from Monday 30 November to Friday 5 December 2026. Players compete across all three of the resort's championship layouts - Campo America, Campo Asia, and Campo Europa - in an individual Stableford format, with the overall champion determined by the best aggregate score across three competitive rounds.

This year's dates have been specially adjusted around a professional tournament taking place at La Cala Resort in the same period, making the 2026 edition part of an especially exciting moment in the resort's golfing calendar. La Cala sits just 30 minutes from Malaga Airport and 20 minutes from Marbella - making a December trip to Andalucia logistically very manageable from the UK or anywhere in Europe.

The Week at a Glance

La Cala have published the full daily programme for the week, and it is a well-constructed mix of competitive golf, social dining, and resort hospitality. Here is how the week unfolds:

The format is well thought through. Tuesday's Texas Scramble - with teams drawn by lot - serves as a sociable warm-up that gets players out on the courses and mixing with fellow competitors before the serious Stableford scoring begins on Wednesday. The shotgun starts ensure everyone tees off together and arrives at the post-round lunches at the same time, which does a lot for the atmosphere. Three-course lunches are included on each competitive day, and the week closes with a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in the Picasso Room followed by a closing party at the hotel.

The World Open draws amateur golfers from across Spain and internationally each year

Who Can Enter

The event is open to all amateur players holding a valid licence from the Royal Spanish Golf Federation or a handicap certificate from any other international golf federation. There are no handicap restrictions on entry, though the maximum playing handicap for results purposes is 26.4 for men and 36.4 for ladies (exact handicap). Competition is split across three categories, with the top three finishers in each category receiving prizes. Special awards are also on offer for nearest the pin, longest drive, and best scratch score, plus a raffle with additional prizes throughout the week.

Three category prizes, nearest the pin, longest drive, scratch award, and a raffle make for a well-stocked prize table

The Three Courses

Three exceptional courses, one shared challenge across La Cala's Andalucian landscape

Campo America - Par 72 | 6,009 metres

Formerly the North Course and regularly ranked in the Top 100 in Spain and Continental Europe, Campo America is the resort's most celebrated layout. Spectacular views of the Sierra de Ojen and the Mediterranean open out from multiple points on the course. Five par 5s offer scoring opportunities, but the small, raised greens punish imprecise approach play. The 1st hole is one of the most striking openers in Spain - a steep plunge to the fairway below that sets the tone immediately. The 9th is a risk-and-reward par 5 with a large lake guarding the green, and the 16th is a short par 3 with water at the front and the finest view on the course from the tee.

Campo Asia - Par 72 | 5,925 metres

The oldest and most respected of the three layouts, Campo Asia (formerly the South Course) is the course that most rewards precision. Narrow fairways and a compact design mean accuracy off the tee counts for more than distance, and the four par 5s require careful management. It was the first of the three courses to be re-grassed with Bermuda greens in 2019. The 5th features a sweeping drive followed by an approach to a narrow green defended by a lake on the left. The 9th offers a bold option for long hitters to drive the corner and set up a reachable second. The 11th is a par 3 with a steep elevation change and views of the Sierra de Mijas and the Mediterranean that make it one of the most photographed holes on the Costa del Sol.

Campo Europa - Par 71 | 6,014 metres

Designed by Cabell B. Robinson and opened in March 2005, Campo Europa is the most accessible of the three layouts - though the River Ojen, which crosses three fairways and comes into play on eight holes, keeps things honest. Generous fairways and slightly larger greens make it more forgiving than its siblings, but the 14th - a par 3 stretching to the maximum allowable 233 metres with water guarding the green - is one of the most demanding one-shot holes on the resort. The 11th is the longest hole on the card at 524 metres. La Cala Resort hosted the Ladies European Tour Q-school on this course in 2005 and 2006, which reflects the standard of the challenge here.

The Tournament Hotel Package

La Cala offer a full tournament hotel package that covers accommodation, all programme meals, drinks during included meals, picnic bags on playing days, and two hydrotherapy spa circuits per person for the stay. Prices for 5 nights (arriving 30 November, departing 5 December) are as follows:

Special rates are available for extra nights with green fees. Spots are described as limited, so early contact with the resort is advisable.