There are golf clubs with history. And then there are golf clubs where you may find yourself parking in space 007, walking past plaques bearing the names Goldfinger, Blofeld and Dr. No, and remembering that James Bond himself — or at least the man who first made him legendary on the big screen — once regularly walked these fairways.
At Atalaya Golf & Country Club, the connection to 007 is not the product of an overactive imagination after a particularly strong gin and tonic.
It is very much part of the club’s story.
The name’s Connery. Sean Connery
Sir Sean Connery, forever associated with the role of James Bond, had a genuine connection with Atalaya.
Having lived nearby, Connery played at the club on numerous occasions and was also made an honorary member of Atalaya Golf & Country Club.
Connery’s association with the area is well known, but for Atalaya members there is something rather special about knowing that one of cinema’s most recognisable figures once shared the same tees, greens and clubhouse surroundings enjoyed by golfers today.
And, as any Bond enthusiast knows, once 007 has been somewhere, traces tend to remain.
The mysterious names on the wall
For Atalaya’s 50th anniversary in October 2018, members came together for a charitable initiative in support of Aprona, a foundation for empowering people with disabilities to pursue their life goals.
A commemorative wall was created at the club, with members invited to contribute by placing their names on individual plaques. It was a fitting way to mark half a century of Atalaya while raising money for an important local cause.
Most plaques carry the member’s names, people you would expect to find at a golf club. But three are slightly more… suspicious.
Look carefully and you will discover:
Auric Goldfinger.
Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
Dr. Julius No.
Three gentlemen who, historically speaking, have had rather complicated relationships with James Bond.
Their appearance on the wall is a playful tribute to Atalaya’s Bond connection and to Sean Connery himself. It is precisely the sort of discreet joke that suits the club: you might walk past it several times without noticing, but once you know it is there, you will always look for it.
And naturally, no respectable Bond story would be complete without the number seven.
Reserved for 007
Head towards the Atalaya car park and another small detail awaits.
Each parking space has its own number. Space number seven, however, receives special treatment.
On the ground sits the unmistakable marking: 007.
No Aston Martin is supplied, unfortunately. Nor can the club confirm the presence of ejector seats, revolving number plates or concealed machine guns. Probably for the best.
But it is another subtle reminder of Atalaya’s connection with the world’s most famous secret agent — one woven into the everyday life of the club rather than displayed with too much ceremony.
Very British, really.
A Licence to Sit?
It seems that James Bond’s influence at Atalaya extends beyond the clubhouse and car park.
Hidden in plain sight, some benches around the golf course also feature references to characters from the James Bond universe. A rather unexpected place for a little espionage, wouldn’t you agree?
But we’re not giving away their locations. After all, every good secret agent knows the importance of discretion.
Keep your eyes open during your next round and see how many you can spot.
A little bit of Bond in Atalaya’s DNA
What makes these details special is that they are not simply decorative references. They belong to a much larger story.
Atalaya opened in 1968 and has spent decades welcoming golfers from around the world, building a community filled with characters, traditions and stories that pass from one generation of members to the next.
Together, they offer a glimpse into the personality of Atalaya: a club that respects its heritage and also bring together pop-culture references hidden at plain sight.
After all, golf already provides enough drama.
Next time you visit Atalaya, keep your eyes open.
Find 007 in the car park.
Take a closer look at the 50th anniversary wall.
Find the misterious benches located around the course.
And as you make your way towards the first tee, remember that Sean Connery once came here to do exactly the same thing.
Some clubs have famous visitors. At Atalaya, one of them happened to have a licence to kill.
Fortunately, on our courses, a licence to putt will do.