The man who created the legendary La Manga dies

La Manga Club has led the tributes to former owner Gregory Peters, the driving force behind creating Spain’s flagship resort, following his death at the age of 86.

Peters (pictured centre with actor Sean Connery, left, in the early 1970s) opened La Manga Club in 1972, two years after he first began work on the ground-breaking project in Murcia, south-east Spain, and laid the foundations for the venue to be at the forefront of sports and leisure destinations across Europe.

Under the inspirational leadership of the American entrepreneur, renowned golf course architect Robert Putman was recruited to design two 18-hole championship courses – the North and South – and a five-star tennis centre was opened.

With South African star Gary Player as the resort’s first director of golf, La Manga Club hosted the Spanish Open from 1973-77, Spanish golfing legend Severiano Ballesteros was the resort’s touring pro from 1980-84 while top Spanish player Manolo Santana was the first director of its tennis centre.

A third course, the West Course, opened in 1986 and La Manga Club also featured a four-star hotel and many properties when Peters sold the resort in the mid-1980s. In his later years, he returned to America and died at his home in Las Vegas.

Jose Asenjo, general manager at La Manga Club, said: “Gregory Peters was a true visionary and he will never be forgotten at La Manga Club.

“The role he played in establishing the resort as a household name across Europe was essential to the success that La Manga Club continues to enjoy today. He provided the blueprint for modern-day resorts and he will be sadly missed.”

Now in its fifth decade, La Manga Club continues to be a top attraction for stars from the worlds of sport and show business.

Set in an area three times the size of Monaco, the resort boasts unrivalled facilities as a sport and leisure venue including three 18-hole championship golf courses, a 28-court tennis centre, eight full-size football pitches and a 2,000sqm spa and fitness centre. It also offers the choice of a five-star hotel, four-star serviced apartments and townhouses, and more than 20 bars and restaurants.

La Manga Club is the official overseas training base of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) while recent accolades include being voted best golf hotel in Spain by readers of Today’s Golfer magazine for the third year running.

*For more information about La Manga Club and to book a break, call 0034 968 17 5577, email or visit the La Manga website.