Golf
Almeria is turning into a major holiday destination for golf enthusiasts (like me!) thanks to the growing range of golf courses and resorts. More and more golfers are discovering the excellent courses in this region. It is fast becoming apparent to golfers that Almeria is less expensive and less crowded than the Costa Del Sol, La Manga and The Algarve.
With an average of 322 days of
sunshine per year and the fact that this is the driest area in Spain, the region
provides golfers with perfect conditions for playing the game over the winter
and spring seasons - no miserable wet & cold weather to spoil your game!!
Our duplex apartment provides an excellent and central base for golf enthusiasts, with four of the best regional courses within 15-20 minutes drive. Although there are tailor made golf packages on offer for this region, it is cheaper and more flexible to arrange your own. You do the sums - work out the cost per head for a four ball on tour - low cost flights, a hire car and reasonably priced luxury accommodation. You may be surprised!
The best local courses
are listed below.
Desert Springs Golf Club
Inspired by the
famous desert courses of Arizona and California, The Indiana course at Desert
Springs Golf Club is the first
desert course in Europe and has been built to full USPGA specifications. It presents unforgettable views and golf of such a dramatic
nature that it has taken not only desert golf, but golf in
general in this part of Spain, to a new level of excellence. Its immaculate
fairways are set amongst massive rocky outcrops, and dry rivers.
The contrast of the emerald green fairways with the arid landscape of cactus, rock and flowering desert, is stunning at all times of the year and framed within a panorama of mountain ranges. Over 600,000 cacti and other desert plants grow progressively more dense and troubling the further your shot is off the fairway, culminating in the dreaded "spiked lies". The course is both demanding and exhilarating and offers a variety of shot making challenges to test the skill level of every player. The quality of the course was confirmed by its selection by the English Golf Union and currently by the Welsh Ladies Golf Union, as their "Spanish Home" and also by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, for whom Desert Springs hosted the 2004 Spanish Amateur Open and will be hosting the 2007 Open. Its Academy of Golf provides practice facilities, second to none, for National squad and County Union members. It is a fantastic but difficult course but nevertheless, an experience that you must indulge!
Directions: Junction 537 on the Almeria - Murcia E15 motorway (Cuevas del Almanzora). Turn right on the A332. At
the T junction, turn right (Vera) on the A352. Take the first left turning sign posted Palomares on the
ALP-212. The entrance to Desert Springs is on the right hand side.
Address: Desert Springs Golf Club, Edificio Vilasol, Villaricos, 04618, Cuevas del Almanzora, Almeria
Web site: www.almanzora.com
Email: playas@almanzora.com
Tel: 0034 950 467 104
Club Marina Golf, Mojácar
This 18 hole par 72
golf course extends 5464 metres and has two distinct halves.
The first half, comprising holes 1, 2 and 12 to 18, run parallel to the sea and are flat and forgiving while the other half, holes 3 to 11, take a
detour behind a hill and follow more undulating terrain. There are three
large lakes which come into play on ten holes. Spectacular views await on the 3rd tee with the par 5 hole dropping dramatically 65 metres
towards a lake and green some 485 metres distant.
A lovely course and reasonably priced.
Directions: Situated between the Marina Playa and Marina Mar hotels off the ALP 118 coast road on Vera Playa.
Address: Urbanización Marina de la Torre, Avenida del Mar, 04368, Mojácar, Almeria
Web site: www.marinagolf.com
Email: info@marinagolf.com
Tel: 0034 950 133 235
Cortijo Grande Club de Golf, Turre
A
hidden gem. At the foot of the Sierra Cabrera
mountains, this 9 hole par 35 course extends 2346 yards and is set in a
breathtakingly picturesque valley notable for its fruit trees such as
lemons, oranges and olives that give the course a personality of its own. Although
only 9 holes there are 18 tees for both men and women to provide a different
test for those wishing to play both an outward and inward 9.
Probably the most beautiful little course I have ever played!
Directions: Situated off the AL-150 heading inland after passing through the village of Turre.
Address: Club de Golf Cortijo, Carretera Turre, Mojacar - 04639 Turre Almeria
Web site: www.cortijogrande.net
Email: golf@cortijogrande.net
Tel: 0034 950 479176
Valle del Este Golf Club, Vera
Valle
del Este combines challenging with other
less strenuous holes. The landscaping policy is part of what makes Valle
del Este so unique - the course uses the natural terrain and incorporates indigenous
species such as
palms, olives and figs.
The 18 hole par 72 course extends to 5352 metres and has three lakes. The
fairways have generous landing areas and a
considerable amount of sand with large bunkers and spacious greens.
Almost every hole has four tees, some having up to six, enabling play of both
distances and angles. The tees are positioned on
small raised platforms surrounded by volcanic rock.
All in all, it presents a real challenge for players of all
abilities - one of my favourites!
Directions:
Exit 529 (Vera)
off the E-15 Almeria-Murcia motorway. After approximately 50 metres,
turn right and right again after a further 50 metres. Valle del Este is approximately 800 metres further.
Address: Urbanización Valle del Este, Vera, Almeria
Web site: www.valledeleste.es
Email: clubdegolf@valledeleste.es
Tel: 0034 950 398 743