Golf
We golfers here are spoilt for choice with great weather and a great variety of courses to try. Taking Villamartin as a central point there are 12 courses within a 30 minute drive and more than 25 courses within an hour. Right here on our doorstep are now 5 courses, Villamartin, Las Ramblas, Campoamor, La Finca and the brand new Las Colinas.
Villamartín – The first course in the area opened in 1972 and is now well established with lots of greenery providing shade in summer and an interesting variety of holes. Its still one of our personal favourites, despite the 15 or so new courses that have opened nearby in the past years ago. Jose Maria Olazabal won the Volvo PGA European here in 1997 setting a course record. In truth the course has gotten a wee bit tatty round the edges in recent years but they are working on it – its still a great course and a bit shorter than most, so offers an excellent opportunity to clock up some good scores if you play it right.
Campoamor -Just around the corner is the grand-sounding Real Club Golf de Campoamor, 27 holes set within a four-star hotel and sports resort. Opened in 1989 the course meanders through pine forest and orange groves with wide fairways, palm trees and oleander bushes. It’s a very popular course with the Brits and Spanish alike although in my opinion its very picturesque but not very interesting to play with few hazards (fun stuff!); maybe that’s why some people like it!? Its also one of the more expensive courses to play so keep a look out for special offers or go with a society.
Las Ramblas – Right next door is Las Ramblas and, as the name implies, the course winds through natural pine forest and criss-crossing water-courses with steep barrancas (ravines) and views to the sea. Another well established course which was once feared for its long carries, blind tee shots, sloping fairways and wicked greens. Two years ago the whole course was dug up and re-built making it more forgiving without losing its essential character. Its still a tricky track but is in great condition all year round, green fees affordable and its possible to get a good score if you keep your head and putt well. Las Ramblas is a love-it or hate-it course, I love it!
La Finca -About 20 minutes away near the town of Algorfa is Quara´s flagship, La Finca Golf & Spa with newly-opened 5 star hotel. It is a young course that opened in 2002 and has since developed into one of the best courses around. Some interesting features such as an extra hole, a square green on 7th and the lake and waterfalls on 5th hole. With a mountain backdrop, palm-lined fairways and roaming ducks and peacocks this is also one of the most picturesque courses around. Its fairly long and quite hilly so we recommend a buggy in the hot months. Green fees are a bit steep too which sadly prevents me playing here more often.
Las Colinas – Off the San Miguel-Pilar road, this brand new course just opend on 12th June 2010. Its a cut above the rest, great facilities, peaceful track set among the pine trees and away from the housing development. Par 71 its not overly long but you do have to think about your shots. We love the variety on the course – there is water, some tricky par 3´s, plenty of bunkers, a monster par 5 , and some devious greens. The countryside changes several times making this course a real pleasure, you need a buggy as there are several long hikes from green to tee. Prices not cheap but the course and facilities are excellent. Look out for summer deals.
SOUTH FROM VILLAMARTIN
New courses aplenty in the Murcia/Costa Calida region including the much-publicised Polaris World Jack Nicklaus resorts which are dotted along the C3319 between San Javier and Murcia. Furthest away probably is the long-established Altoreal enjoying a beautiful setting in the mountains just outside Murcia, just over an hours drive from here. There´s a brief resume of our favourites below but we´ve not played them all yet and we have heard some of them are really good. For details of all the courses in the Murcia region go to http://www.clubmurcia.com/
La Serena is a fun course, especially for us girlies, who benefit from the rather bizarre stroke indexing and the fact that we can hit straight! With water coming into play on 16 holes and some stiff sea breezes at times, wayward hitters need to think carefully before getting their drivers out. The clubhouse is superb with views across the Mar Menor from the sofas on the terrace.
We like Roda too, especially the Par 3 island hole and the superb 18th Par 5 with the approach shot across the water. The new clubhouse opened about a year ago, the staff are friendly, the course has a nice variety of holes and is (almost) always in great condition.
El Valle was very new when we played it but we were impressed with the layout and the scenery. The clubhouse is now open and, like those on all the new courses, is just fab…
