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To golfing aficionados, the Costa Blanca has long been renowned for the quality of its courses. There are 16 strewn along the coastal area, the finest of which is El Saler. Regarded nationally as second only to Valderrama, it has a series of true links holes hiding in sand dunes with others winding through wooded country. A frequent venue for the Spanish Open and other European Tour events, it is an imperative for serious golfers in search of a challenge and a memorable day’s sport.
It is one of three top flight courses near Valencia, the others being El Bosque and Escorpion. The latter is a private club and somewhat exclusive but the others put out the welcome mat and guests of Posh Villas have discounted green fees and access to reserved tee times. El Saler, particularly, is an enticing prospect for those able to negotiate a day off from family duties! Taking the N32 highway north from Javea, it is about an hour’s drive: El Bosque is a few minutes further on.
There are three courses of repute rather closer: Oliva Nova is about 35 minutes north on the N32, the road to Valencia and La Sella is only minutes from most Posh Villas. Both are recommended although weekends should be avoided. The third course, known as Real de Faula and slightly north of Benidorm and about 30 minutes from Javea, is a new creation by Jack Nicklaus.
Oliva Nova was designed by Seve Ballesteros as part of an all-encompassing holiday resort complete with a major hotel. It’s a picturesque and well-presented course, and easy walking because it is flatter than the average bread board! It’s not long but a combination of factors creates a challenge even for scratch players.
The first is the breeze, which alternates in direction from the mountains and the sea and can stretch the shorter holes, of which there are several, making a mockery of club selection. And because it is flat perspective is almost non-existent with the subsequent problems of judgment of distance. This is not least because all the greens are of the old fashioned style, large and flat to the fairways, frequently angled and with sand or water lurking nearby. Often, too, there’s a hidden depression just short of the front fringe, a design factor favoured by the great Harry Colt, to check any shot slightly under-clubbed or otherwise lacking authority.
Then there’s the small problem of water that is in play on 15 holes, frequently in the green approaches where most of the trouble awaits. You’ll soon discover why bogeys are popular here!
Oliva Nova is a lovely mix of long and short holes (the par threes are a joy) and the clubhouse is a cracker with top class catering available on the terrace. Get an early start time and make a day of it.
La Sella is pretty as can be but a quite different proposition. Laid over more undulating ground on a valley floor, it poses all the problems associated with this type of terrain, particularly around the greens. Jose-Maria Olazabal had a hand in the design and you’ll need some of Ollie's short game dexterity and imagination on occasion.
Like Oliva Nova it’s also a challenge off the tee: anything wayward will cost a shot and a bit of length would help, too. Several holes have up-slopes in the landing area and those that don’t have bunkers eating into the fairway at critical points. The greens also are totally different: they’re slick with considerable movement, and two, the second is an example, are two-tiered in extremis. Be on the wrong level and, bingo, there goes another stroke!
It’s a fun course and well worth a visit. Play early and you’ll be back with the family for lunch by the pool, a chilled Chablis to hand and with brownie points in credit, too. Bliss!
Real de Faula is the newly opened, high quality golf resort near Benidorm that is already making a big impression. Created by the Jack Nicklaus company, the American desert-style championship North Course can stretch up to a whopping 6,626m, par 72, and provides a firm yet appealing challenge to all levels of golfer.
There are exquisite views of the Mediterranean and the Finestrat mountain range. Intelligently crafted greens and wide but well bunkered fairways are the key features, although the lakes, desert surrounds, cacti, pine and palm trees may well leave you thinking otherwise.
The South Course at Real de Faula is a 3,858m, par 62, executive design. Set in and around a charming Mediterranean valley, it is an exciting and alluring test that can be enjoyed by everyone.
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