Royal Golf Club de San Sebastian, Lasarte-Oria Course. (1909 – 1968)
Originally known as Golf Club de San Sebestian, Lasarte, it became Royal Golf Club de San Sebastian in 1929.
First mention found for the club in 1909 - Report on a professional tournament to be played at San Sebastian Golf Club in March 1909.
A meeting was called by the President of the Development Commission, Gabriel ma. de Laffiiie. It was to be held in the Town Hall on Friday 14 March 1913 to discuss the development of land for sport. This would include a racetrack, golf course and polo ground.
In January the following year the Commission produced a report on plans and budgets. A conclusion was reached that the most suitable land for golf was at the Lasarte Valley. Negotiations had taken place with the land owner and a lease was agreed for ten years with the potential for a further ten years.
The Commission also decided to engage an Englishman “who understands the game” to serve on the committee.
In May 1914 a society was formed to promote a golf course and other sports.
The first competition was played In September and October 1915.
On Sunday 18 March 1917 the laying of the first stone of the Lasarte-Oria 18-hole golf course took place. The priest Mr Rekondo carried out the blessing. The plans were made by Felipe Azcona, the contractor was Mr Apalategni, and the president of the club was Ramon Kutz.
Entry from the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Lasarte Royal Golf Club; Membership 100; Hon. Secretary, Vicomte de Prado; Professional, F Mugiga; Nine-holes; Station - San Sebastian 3 miles; Visitors' fees, 5 pesetas a day.
In 1929 the club became the Royal Golf Club de San Sebastian.
From the 1933 Golfer’s Handbook; Secretary – S Londaiz, Villa Eguzki-Alde, San Sebastian; Membership 250; Professional, F Mugica; Nine-holes; Sation at San Sebatian, 3 miles; Visitors’ fees 8 pesetas a day.
From the 1937 Golfer’s Handbook (this entry is repeated in the Golfer’s Handbook until the 1970s); Golf Club de San Sebestian, Lasarte, (Guipuzcoa); Membership 300; Secretary, J Larranaga; Professional, F Mugica;Green-keeper, P Larranaga; Course records – Amateur; Santiago Ugarte, 66; Preffesional; Nicasin Sagarrdia, 63; Nine-holes; Vistors’ fees. 15 pesetas a day.
The club moved to a new course near Mount Jaizkibel in the mid 1960s. Initially a nine-hole course in 1968 the club extended the course to 18-holes in 1969.
The Google Map below shows the location of the earlier course.