|
The golf course, too, merits a return visit. Ranked number three course on the Costa, it’s a first class design by the renowned Javier Arana and has several outstanding holes. Since the management change-over it has, like the hotel, undergone a major renovation. The fairways have been up-graded by replanting, new greens have been built, the bunkers renewed and cart paths introduced. The presentation, too, was impeccable during my visit in May.
Set in a valley on undulating terrain and with tree-lined fairways, it all looks a picture. The rough is not excessive and the fairways, though tree-lined, are generous in width so it’s an agreeable driving course for the average player not afraid to “give it a bit of stick.” The second shot is all-important here: the greens are on the large side with subtle movement, occasionally tiered, and with some astute bunkering. There’s plenty of water, too, a series of lakes, a couple of which must be carried.
So it’s a fun course, perfect for holiday golf although players of a certain age would be advised to take a cart: there are two or three climbs to leave all but the tigers gasping…
Talking of tigers, the back tees stretch the course to 6,800 yards but for the more mature players the yellow tees are advised. At 6,600 yards there’s not a huge difference, in truth, but they’ll help on certain holes where the tee shot landing area is up-slope. For the ladies, the course measures a touch under 6,000 yards, all to par 72 in the classical configuration.
There is a golf club membership of 300 and they and hotel guests have priority tee times from 0900 to 1000 each morning, a period which expands according to demand.
Being a course of quality it attracts many fee-paying visitors and, like most of the courses hereabouts, it can become crowded early in the day. But here’s a tip: book a tee time for mid-afternoon, about 1500. By the time you make the turn the course will be virtually deserted and you’ll enjoy millionaire’s golf as the shadows lengthen and the course shows it finest colours. You’ll finish in plenty of time for a glass of something chilled before changing for dinner with your best beloved. Bliss! This is holiday golf at its best at one of the finest golf hotels in Europe.
******
Page [1], [2] - [Go to Spain]
|
