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by Colm Gill
Agua, Agua
Although
an abnormally wet couple of winter months has replenished Málaga's reservoirs and underground water
table, the Costa del Golf is well aware that such a precious resource
must be used sparingly. Last month, a meeting between representatives
of the Andalusian Government and the Association of Costa del Sol
Municipal Authorities agreed to increase the amount of recycled
water dedicated to the irrigation of the area´s golf courses.
The majority of the 18 clubs within the Association´s boundaries
already receive water from the Cancelada treatment plant for maintaining
fairways, tees, greens verdant and healthy. The advanced tertiary
system permits waste water from local urbanisations to be cleaned
for re-use until it exceeds current European Union regulations.
More than 50% of water employed on golf courses is now recycled.
The significant application of the precious liquid means that up
to a sixth more of water from naturally occurring resources is
available for human consumption.
Desert Springs
The only desert course in Europe is
open to golfers 'The Indiana', Europe's only desert course, is to
be inaugurated during the last week of April. The opening of this
first desert layout means that, to Europe's stock of parkland, moorland
and links courses can be added a truly different example of golf
course architect's craft. To be geographically defined as a desert,
an area must have an annual average rainfall of less than 10 inches;
this particular corner of the Spanish mainland comes within that
category. Situated in Almería, between the reservoir at Cuevas
del Almanzora and the charming fishing village of Villaricos, The
Indiana, perches on a raised plateau with spectacular views to the
sea. The design presents golf of such a dramatic nature that it
can be said to be taking holiday golf in Europe to another level.
Through the centuries, Phoenicians, Moors and other Mediterranean
traders have left their mark on Almería, now it is to be
the turn of the golf tourist.
The contrast between the carefully manicured playing
areas and the arid surroundings of the region with the mildest climate
in Europe, Desert Springs captures the essence of what it is that
sets golf apart from other sports and will have travelling golfers
anxious to sample the desert golf experience. Built to comply with
full USGA specifications and quality standards of the now famous
desert courses of Arizona and California, The Indiana is the first
of two 18-hole courses to be built on the resort. When stretched
to its full length of 6,173 metres, the layout is built to challenge
the world's best players. However, the bunker placements and positioning
of hazards allows the design to present a more accommodating challenge
when played from the selection of forward tees. "We have created
a course which really can be enjoyed by players of all different
standards," affirms course designer Peter McEvoy. "We
have kept the fairways generous and ensured that the less expert
player can enjoy and improve his game whilst absorbing the awesome
landscape. On the other hand, every hole has features which can
be brought into play; the springs, watercourses, dry river beds,
rock and cactus areas and sand traps are strategically placed to
examine the skills of leading exponents of the game when playing
off the championship tees.
Thanks to its location - and unique nature - Desert
Springs is destined to become a magnet, not only for golfers from
more northern climes, but also those already resident in Iberia;
Málaga with its Costa del Golf is 3 hour's distant; Granada
2 hours, Murcia 1 hour, Valencia 4 hours and Madrid 4 ½.
Thanks to the excellent motorway connections, one could leave Madrid
or Valencia at 7am, and Málaga at 9am and still make a reserved
start time of 12 noon. Due to the huge interest aroused by this
most innovative project, many of the tee times available immediately
after the inauguration date have already been reserved, so if you
are searching for the unique, unbeatable experience afforded by
Europe's only desert golf course, you would be well advised to take
Golf Manager Simon Coaker's advice and make your reservation early
to avoid any possibility of disappointment.
More Birdies
The Doñana National Park is haven to a few
more birdies since Dunas de Doñana opened in March 2001.
Located on the shores of the Atlantic ocean, the course is a combination
of styles between links and American. Vast lakes affect play on
many holes and maintain the natural environment of the adjacent
park. Indeed, despite the initial protests of environmentalists
fearful that the golf course might spoil nature, the layout has
actually enhanced the natural beauty as it was constructed on the
site of what had become an unsightly tipping area.
At the other end of the region, in the province
of Almería, Andalucía's golf offer is also growing.
In April the Club Marina Golf Mojacar was inaugurated. Situated
40 minutes away from Murcia airport, Marina also has nine holes
next to the beach; the back nine is separated from the outward half
by a small hill which apportions a totally different feel to the
Ramon Espinosa-designed course.
Andalusians Lose To A Capital Performance
For the second year running, the team representing the autonomous
region of Madrid has claimed the Spanish Junior Girls Championship
by beating Andalusia in the final. The inter-territorial Junior
Girls' Championship of Spain, organised by the Spanish Golf Federation,
was played at RCG Las Palmas. The result was 5.5 to 3.5 in favour
of the team from the capital.
Novo Sancti Petri Celebrate Another Nine Holes
The
Novo Sancti Petri course, at Chiclana, Cádiz,
recently celebrated the opening of an additional nine holes with
a social tournament. The first 36 holes of the complex were designed
by Severiano Ballesteros who promoted the Novo Sancti Petri club
as a possible venue for the 1997 Ryder Cup matches which were eventually
staged at Valderrama. In one loop the fairways are bordered by pine
trees, whereas another combination takes the player alongside the
magnificent Barrosa beach. Various water hazards and abundant vegetation
add interest to the Cádiz course, making it very a popular
destination, particularly with German golfers.
Scots Have A Whale Of A Time
Prior
to the prestigious Sherry Cup amateur tournament at Sotogrande last
month, the Scottish team organised a mini-training
camp. To focus themselves mentally and fine tune their games the
Scots chose to use the excellent training facilities now available
at the Costa Ballena complex in Cádiz.
The group, all with handicaps from scratch to +4,
used the par 3 course, the dedicated short game area, the huge grass
driving range facing the sea, enormous, undulating putting green
plus the specialised equipment available in the clubhouse gymnasium.
Costa Ballena Golf Club is part of an ambitious
project by the regional government to attract sustainable tourism
to an unspoilt part of the Atlantic coast. Designed by José
María Olazábal, the original course, situated on what
would otherwise be prime building land, is now maturing after its
inauguration in 1996. One of the objectives of the project is to
take advantage of the resorts magnificent practice facilities to
attract teams of golfers from the north of Europe for training weeks
and golf schools.
Bernard Gallacher Inaugurates New Driving Range
On Monday April 23 ex-Ryder Cup Captain Bernard
Gallacher, cut the ribbon to officially open the Shaun Ashley Golf
Academy based on the Greenlife Golf site east of Marbella. The Academy
is equipped with the latest technologies in golf teaching including
virtual reality glasses and practice mats that can be adjusted to
simulate uphill or downhill lies. Forty air-conditioned driving
bays, a club-fitting centre and a gymnasium full of the same specialist
stretching machines as used by Tiger Woods, are just some of the
additional on-site facilities. Bernard Gallacher gave a teaching
clinic for the invited guests before demonstrating his own range
of skills on the ample putting and chipping zones. After a press
conference and cocktail the journalists, tour operators and golf
managers present were invited to play the excellent nine-hole executive
layout that completes the comprehensive teaching facilities at the
Greenlife Golf complex.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Named 'Official
Hotel Chain' To PGA Tour
The international
hotel group is the parent organisation to respected brand names such
as Westin, Sheraton and W.Hotels.
The agreement permits PGA members become 'Preferred Guests' when
booking into any of the groups hotels, amongst which are the Alfonso
XIII in Seville, Madrid's Palace and London's Park Lane Hotel. On
the Costa del Sol, Starwood is represented by The Westin La Quinta
where Spanish President, José María Aznar, recently
made a surprise visit. During his stay, Aznar played nine holes
of golf accompanied by his teenage son and Manuel Piñero,
the former world golf champion, who now runs his own golf school
at the resort.
Kempinski Resort Hotel Sponsors 'von Limburger Championship'
Bernard von Limburger first made an impression in the world of golf
as winner of the 1925 German Golf Championships, however, he was
also the best known golf course architect from that country before
Bernhard Langer first tried his hand at the craft in the 1990s.
The elder Bernard was commissioned to design the original Atalaya
Park course back in 1968. Every year since 1988, Atalaya Park has
honoured its designer by celebrating the 'von Limburger Championship',
this year sponsored by the Kempinski Resort Hotel in nearby Estepona.
More than 100 participants competed for 17 prizes in distinct categories.
First prize was a weekend for two people at the luxurious beachfront
hotel.
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