Atalaya Golf & Country Club once again celebrated the legacy of its Old Course designer, Dr. Bernhard von Limburger, with a special two-day championship bringing together golfers, tradition and a shared passion for the game.
On 24 and 25 October, the iconic Old Course hosted the Von Limburger Open Championship 2026, welcoming members and visiting players for 36 holes of Medal Play in one of the most meaningful tournaments on the club’s calendar.
With 91 players, the championship brought together competitive golf and the community spirit that has defined Atalaya for generations.
A legacy that lives on through golf
More than a competition, the Von Limburger Open is a tribute to the man whose vision helped shape the identity of Atalaya Golf & Country Club.
Designed by renowned German golf course architect Dr. Bernhard von Limburger, the Old Course opened in 1968 and remains one of the Costa del Sol’s most distinctive golfing experiences.
Its generous fairways, strategic bunkering and timeless layout continue to reward intelligent play, precision and thoughtful course management — qualities that reflect Von Limburger’s philosophy of golf course design.
Following the special 2025 edition, which celebrated the centenary of his German Amateur Championship victory in 1925, this year’s tournament continued that tribute, honouring 101 years of a remarkable golfing legacy.
For Atalaya, preserving this history means more than remembering the past. It means keeping it alive through the players who walk these fairways today.
Two Days of Competition on the Old Course
The championship challenged participants over two rounds of Medal Play, where consistency, accuracy and strategic decisions would determine the final standings.
Saturday’s opening round delivered an exciting start to the competition, with Paul Gyllstrom taking the early scratch lead with an impressive round of 72 strokes.
A closely contested group followed on 74 strokes, including David Farrer, Jukka Lehtonen, Oskar Osala, Jamie Foley and Anthony McDonald, leaving the championship wide open heading into Sunday’s decisive round.
Among the leading contenders was Oskar Osala, the defending 2025 champion, returning to the competition after claiming last year’s Von Limburger Trophy with a total of 143 strokes.
With several players separated by just a handful of shots, the final round promised an exciting conclusion to another memorable championship.
Celebrating Our 2026 Champions: A Dramatic Finish
After two days of competitive golf on the Old Course, the 2026 Von Limburger Open Championship delivered a thrilling conclusion, with the scratch title decided in a dramatic play-off.
Anthony McDonald and Jukka Lehtonen finished tied on 147 strokes, both recording identical rounds of 74 and 73 over the 36-hole championship.
With the title still undecided, the two players returned to the course for a match-play decider over holes 10 and 18.
It was Anthony McDonald who ultimately emerged victorious, securing the 2026 Von Limburger Open Scratch Championship title and adding his name to the tournament’s growing history.
McDonald’s victory was particularly special as a visiting golfer, demonstrating the international and welcoming spirit of a championship that brings together Atalaya members and players from beyond the club.
Jukka Lehtonen finished as scratch runner-up, following an excellent performance across both days. Frank Stockmans completes the top 3 leading competitors, completing the championship on 149 strokes.
The tournament concluded with a cocktail reception, canapés and the traditional prize-giving ceremony, bringing players together to celebrate their achievements and another memorable chapter in Atalaya’s golfing legacy.
Scratch Championship
| Position | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Anthony McDonald | 2 green fees at Zagaleta, sunset cruise for 2 people and €400 Atalaya voucher |
| 2nd | Jukka Lehtonen | 2 green fees at Barceló Montecastillo and €250 Atalaya voucher |
| 3rd | Frank Stockmans | 2 green fees at Sancti Petri and €150 Atalaya voucher |
Anthony McDonald and Jukka Lehtonen both finished on 147 strokes. McDonald won the play-off contested over holes 10 and 18.
Net Division — First Prizes
| Category | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Net | Sergey Kuznetsov | Atalaya putter |
| Men HCP 0–18 | Paddy Donnelly | 2 Guadalmina green fees + buggy and 2 nights at Hotel Meliá Sol for 2 |
| Men HCP 18.1–28 | Sergey Kuznetsov | 2 Los Naranjos green fees + buggy, Elba Spa for 2 and a Spanish ham |
| Ladies HCP 0–18 | Julia Flada | 2 Santa Clara Golf green fees + buggy and €250 Bono A Cielo Abierto |
| Ladies HCP 18.1–36 | Pamela Butler | 2 Cabopino green fees, Elba Spa for 2 and a Spanish ham |
Net Division — Second Prizes
| Category | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Men HCP 0–18 | David Farrer | 2 Valle Romano green fees and Naga restaurant voucher |
| Men HCP 18.1–28 | Dmitrii Provotorov | 2 Nuevo Portil green fees and 2 Costa Ballena green fees |
| Ladies HCP 0–18 | Inger-Lise Rhoden | 2 Valle Romano green fees and La Rosa restaurant voucher |
| Ladies HCP 18.1–36 | Eileen Audas | 2 El Paraíso green fees and 2 Almerimar green fees |
Net Division — Third Prizes
| Category | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Men HCP 0–18 | Maxim Kulyukin | 2 Azata green fees + buggy and Magnum wine by Exclusivas Caba |
| Men HCP 18.1–28 | Jaroslaw Nowak | 2 Calanova green fees and 2 La Siesta green fees |
| Ladies HCP 0–18 | Pia-Liisa Meriranta | 2 Azata green fees + buggy and Magnum wine by Exclusivas Caba |
| Ladies HCP 18.1–36 | Isabella Krüger-Pawlowski | 2 Chaparral green fees and 2 La Siesta green fees |
Special Prizes — Nearest to the Pin
| Hole | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Hole 3 | Michele Sancillo | 2 Villapadierna green fees and €100 Laguna lunch for 2 |
| Hole 7 | Liam Larkin | 2 Villapadierna green fees and €100 Laguna lunch for 2 |
| Hole 11 | Ricardo García | 2 Villapadierna green fees and €100 Laguna lunch for 2 |
| Hole 16 | Julia Flada | 2 Villapadierna green fees and €100 Laguna lunch for 2 |
Special Prizes — Longest Drive
| Category | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Longest Drive — Hole 8 | Oskar Osala | 2 Villapadierna green fees and Magnum wine by Exclusivas Caba |
| Ladies’ Longest Drive — Hole 8 | Eveline Boonstra | 2 Villapadierna green fees and Magnum wine by Exclusivas Caba |
A tribute that is part of Atalaya’s history
The Von Limburger Open represents everything that makes Atalaya Golf & Country Club special: a deep connection to golf’s history, a welcoming international community and a shared appreciation for the game.
Every edition adds a new chapter to the story of the Old Course, connecting generations of golfers through the vision of the man who designed it nearly six decades ago.
Congratulations to all our participants and winners, and a special thank you to everyone involved in organising the championship and preparing the course for this important occasion.
The Von Limburger legacy continues, and we are proud to keep it alive at Atalaya Golf & Country Club.
See you at the next edition!
